Abstract:
Apparatuses and methods are provided for an infant support apparatus that can be used to support an infant and can permit an infant to develop motor skills and musculature. A support mat in one aspect can have first and second ends and a bolster around which the support mat can be overwrapped to form a head portion. The head portion can be removably attachable to the support mat. The support mat can be adjustably extended and retracted in length to accommodate for infant growth. A foot portion can be positioned opposite the head portion and can be used for engagement by lower extremities of an infant. The head portion can be of any suitable shape, such as for example, the shape of a cylinder, an hourglass, a wedge, or a modified wedge shape.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/578,462, filed on Jun. 9, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present subject matter generally relates to infant support and development apparatuses and methods, and more particularly to infant support and development apparatuses and methods able to accommodate infant growth and adapted for developing motor skills and muscular strength, particularly for lower extremities of an infant.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The motor skills and muscular development period in the lives of infants is inevitably crucial to their conditioning and musculature growth. This period of growth is considered to be a difficult and potentially hazardous time for infants. The need to properly strengthen muscles and coordinate muscle movement can be assisted with appropriate development and strengthening tools. Current and available mechanisms, however, do not provide leg strengthening configurations adapted to permit infants to kick and push against a resilient structure to develop motor skills and strengthen their lower extremities.  
         [0004]     Additionally, pediatricians recommend that infants receive “tummy time” beginning at two months of age. Tummy time refers to placing infants in a prone position on their stomachs. When placed in a prone position, infants develop upper body muscular strength, coordination, and head control. Furthermore, tummy time promotes development of physical skills required for rolling over, sitting, and crawling. Moreover, the prone position aids in minimizing recent concerns of positional plagiocephaly, which is the development of flat surfaces on the head of an infant caused by infants sleeping so many hours on the back of their heads.  
         [0005]     Also, while attempting to develop motor skills and muscle strength in their lower extremities, infants will kick and push with their legs as they become older. During this development, parents may place infants on a chair, couch, or other soft surface to stand and develop muscle strength so that when the infant loses his balance and falls there will be a soft landing waiting. This, however, requires constant attention by the parent to ensure the infant does not fall off the couch or chair.  
         [0006]     Current infant support pads with dual cushions on opposite ends are merely for maintaining the infant in a stationary position while sleeping or riding in a vehicle. Also, restraining devices are available for maintaining an infant in a stationary position to prevent the infant from rolling, but none function to build motor skills and musculature in an infant. Other structures available simply accommodate resting adults by providing adaptable cushioning for the legs and head to conform to at rest. Moreover, no apparatus is available that permits an infant to develop leg muscles and lower extremities safely while in either a prone or supine position and wherein the apparatus is adjustable to accommodate infant growth.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     Apparatuses and methods are provided in accordance with the present disclosure for an infant support apparatus that can be used to support an infant and can permit an infant to develop motor skills and musculature. In one embodiment, a support mat is provided having first and second ends and a bolster around which the support mat can be overwrapped to form a head portion. The head portion can be removably attachable to the support mat. The support mat can be adjustably extended and retracted in length to accommodate for infant growth. A foot portion can be positioned opposite the head portion and can be used for engagement by lower extremities of an infant. The head portion can be of any suitable shape, such as for example, the shape of a cylinder, an hourglass, a wedge, or a modified wedge shape. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The foregoing features and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the present subject matter, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter disclosed.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of an infant support apparatus with a cylindrical bolster;  
         [0010]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a bottom plan view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in an unrolled position and without the cylindrical bolster;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1D  illustrates a perspective view of an infant support apparatus with an hourglass bolster;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of an infant support apparatus with a wedge bolster;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a bottom plan view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of an infant support apparatus with a modified wedge bolster;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a bottom plan view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of an infant support apparatus wrapped around a wedge bolster with a support mat in a retracted position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 4A  with the support mat further extended;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a side view of the infant support apparatus of  FIG. 4A  with the support mat in even a further extended position from that shown in  FIG. 4B ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view of an infant in a prone position on an infant support apparatus with a cylindrical bolster;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a side view of an infant in a prone position on an infant support apparatus with a wedge bolster;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a side view of an infant in a prone position on an infant support apparatus with a modified wedge bolster;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of an infant in a supine position on an infant support apparatus with a cylindrical bolster;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a side view of an infant in a supine position on an infant support apparatus with a wedge bolster;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a side view of an infant in a supine position on an infant support apparatus with a modified wedge bolster;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of a partial infant support mat and foot portion rolled in a first direction;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a side view of the partial infant support mat and foot portion with the infant support mat extended from the position shown in  FIG. 7A ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of the partial infant support mat and foot portion of  FIG. 7A  with the infant support mat extended even further from the position shown in  FIG. 7B ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of a partial infant support mat and foot portion rolled in a second direction;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a side view of the partial infant support mat and foot portion with the infant support mat extended from the position in  FIG. 8A ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8C  illustrates a side view of the partial infant support mat and foot portion of  FIG. 8A  with the infant support mat extended even further from the position shown in  FIG. 8B ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat with a cylindrical bolster attachable by hook and loop type fasteners;  
         [0035]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat attachable to a cylindrical bolster by snaps;  
         [0036]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat integral with a cylindrical bolster;  
         [0037]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat with a wedge bolster attachable by hook and loop type fasteners;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat attachable to a wedge bolster by snaps;  
         [0039]      FIG. 10C  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat integral with a wedge bolster;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11A  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat with a modified wedge bolster attachable by hook and loop type fasteners;  
         [0041]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat attachable to a modified wedge bolster by snaps;  
         [0042]      FIG. 11C  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of an infant support mat integral with a modified wedge bolster; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a head portion with an infant toy attached thereto. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0044]      FIGS. 1A through 12 , wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, illustrate examples of the infant support and development apparatus and method according to the present subject matter. Although this description is made with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that many alternate forms can embody the present subject matter.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate perspective and side views, respectively, of an infant support apparatus generally designated  100  in accordance with the present disclosure. A support mat  102  is substantially elongate and has a first end generally designated  104  and a second end generally designated  106  thereof opposite first end  104 . Support mat  102  can be 33 inches long and 18 inches wide. Any other suitable dimensions could be used as can be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Furthermore, support mat  102  can be contoured and have a plurality of recesses, such as recesses  108 , which may include raised and lowered or recessed areas running in a longitudinal direction from first end  104  to second end  106  of support mat  102 , thereby facilitating maintaining an infant on support mat  102 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that support mat  102  may be smooth, flat, or have any contoured surface for maintaining an infant on infant support apparatus  100 . Also, support mat  102  can be of various shapes and sizes as the configuration shown and described is not intended to limit the many possible configurations.  
         [0046]     To provide cushioning for an infant, support mat  102  may be of sufficient thickness such that, upon falling on support mat  102 , the infant will not be injured. Cushioning materials for support mat  102  may include foam, pillow-like stuffing, or any suitable material for providing a cushion. Materials for constructing support mat  102  may include any suitable material needed for maintaining the integrity of support mat  102  which can include vinyl or any fabric-like material adequately durable to resist tears and the like. Support mat  102  can also be constructed only of cloth with or without cushioning.  
         [0047]     Additionally, a foot portion generally designated FP can be integral with support mat  102  and positioned at first end  104 . By providing a resilient structure that can extend in use above a top side  110  of support mat  102 , foot portion FP aids the development of musculature in the lower extremities of an infant as the feet of the infant can apply force by pushing against and exerting pressure upon foot portion FP, thereby strengthening leg muscles, as further described hereinbelow. Foot portion FP can extend entirely or partially along and parallel to first end  104 . Foot portion FP can be of at least a generally cylindrical shape, or can be of any other suitable shape or size. As shown, foot portion FP can be approximately 4 inches in diameter. Also, foot portion FP may be solid or hollow, but resilient to the force exerted by the feet and legs of an infant. Foot portion FP can be integral with support mat  102 , or can be attached to support mat  102  with any suitable fasteners, such as snaps, hook and loop type fasteners, or a zipper.  
         [0048]     A bolster B can be positioned at second end  106  of support mat  102 . As shown in one aspect in  FIG. 1A , bolster B can be of an at least generally cylindrical shape. Second end  106  of support mat  102  is adapted for overwrapping at least a portion of bolster B to form a head portion, generally designated HP, for supporting an infant as describe further below. Support mat  102  can be retracted or extended to accommodate the growth of an infant by positioning bolster B either closer to or further away from foot portion FP to obtain a desired length. In other words, the length of support mat  102  between foot portion FP and bolster B, referred to herein as an intermediate support portion generally designated IP, is adjustable by adjusting an amount of overwrapping of support mat  102  around bolster B. For example, support mat  102  can be placed over bolster B and wrapped around bolster B, whereby a distal portion generally designated DP of support mat  102  can be fastened to intermediate support portion IP. Bolster B can be 6 inches long and 18 inches wide. A cross-sectional distance of bolster B may be greater than a cross-sectional distance of foot portion FP. Construction materials for bolster B can include foam, plastic, fabric with pillow stuffing, or any other suitable material or combination of materials.  
         [0049]     As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , support mat  102  has a bottom side  112  with hook and loop type fasteners  114  disposed thereon for fastening with hook and loop type fasteners  114  on distal portion DP. As more clearly shown in  FIG. 1B , when support mat  102  is wrapped around bolster B, distal portion DP of support mat  102  can fasten to intermediate support portion IP on bottom side  112  by hook and loop type fasteners  114 . In other words, support mat  102  curls back underneath itself to attach thereto. This positioning permits bolster B to be positioned at different lengths along support mat  102  to accommodate infant growth by attaching distal portion DP at different points along intermediate support portion IP. Hook and loop type fasteners  114  or any other suitable fasteners may be positioned and attached in any orientation and in any way on bottom side  112  for securing distal portion DP of support mat  102  to intermediate support portion IP after wrapping around bolster B. Bolster B may be solid or hollow and of any shape or size. For example,  FIG. 1D  shows bolster B with an hourglass shape.  
         [0050]      FIGS. 2A-2B  and  3 A- 3 B similarly illustrate infant support apparatus  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , but instead with alternate shapes for bolster B. As seen in  FIGS. 2A-2B , bolster B is in the shape of a wedge, thereby providing inclined support to an infant while the feet of the infant can engage foot portion FP while in a either a prone or supine position as described further hereinbelow.  FIG. 2C  is a bottom plan view of infant support apparatus  100  of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . In  FIG. 2C , support mat  102  is wrapped around bolster B and distal portion DP is fastened to bottom side  112  of intermediate support portion IP by hook and loop type fasteners  114 .  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , bolster B is generally wedge-shaped with a first lateral support portion  116  and a second lateral support portion  118  that project from bolster B to cooperatively form a containment recess for providing lateral support and maintaining an infant on bolster B during use. Additionally, first lateral support portion  116  and second lateral support portion  118  can be spaced sufficiently apart to permit support mat  102  to pass therebetween and wrap around bolster B.  FIG. 3C  is a bottom plan view of infant support apparatus  100  of  FIG. 3A . In  FIG. 3C , support mat  102  is wrapped around bolster B and distal portion DP is fastened to bottom side  112  of intermediate support portion IP by hook and loop type fasteners  114 .  
         [0052]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate side views of infant support apparatus  100  in various wrapped positions for accommodating infant growth.  FIG. 4A  illustrates support mat  102  in a retracted position wherein intermediate support portion IP is of a short length as support mat  102  overwraps bolster B with distal portion DP extending nearly to or even past foot portion FP.  FIG. 4B  illustrates support mat  102  partially retracted with distal portion DP not extending as far or close to foot portion FP as in  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4C  illustrates support mat  102  wrapped around bolster B such that distal portion DP extends around bolster B but terminates much closer to bolster B than in  FIG. 4A  or  4 B, therefore allowing for a greater length of intermediate support portion IP. As an infant grows, infant support apparatus  100  can be adjusted as desired to accommodate infant growth.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate side views of infant support apparatus  100  in use by an infant in a prone position. Accordingly, the head, and even a portion of the upper body, of an infant can be supported by bolster B while the infant is on infant support apparatus  100  as shown.  FIG. 5A  illustrates an infant engaging infant support apparatus  100  comprising bolster B with a generally cylindrical shape.  FIG. 5B  illustrates an infant engaging infant support apparatus  100  comprising bolster B with a wedge shape.  FIG. 5C  illustrates an infant using infant support apparatus  100  comprising bolster B with a modified wedge shape having lateral supports. As seen in  FIG. 5C , the feet of an infant in a prone position can engage foot portion FP while the upper body of the infant can extend on and over head portion HP.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate side views of infant support apparatus  100  in use by an infant in a supine position. Accordingly, the head, and even a portion of the upper body, of an infant can be supported by bolster B while the infant is on infant support apparatus  100  as shown.  FIG. 6A  illustrates an infant engaging infant support apparatus  100  comprising bolster B with a generally cylindrical shape.  FIG. 6B  illustrates an infant engaging infant support apparatus  100  comprising bolster B with a wedge shape.  FIG. 6C  illustrates an infant using infant support apparatus  100  comprising bolster B with a modified wedge shape having lateral supports. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the feet of the infant in a supine position again can engage foot portion FP and the head and the upper body of the infant can be supported at least partially by head portion HP.  
         [0055]     As an alternate embodiment,  FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate side views of a portion of support mat  102  in variously rolled positions for accommodating infant growth.  FIG. 7A  illustrates support mat  102  rolled nearly completely around foot portion FP in a first direction  200 , thereby minimizing the length of intermediate support portion IP.  FIG. 7B  illustrates support mat  102  in a position rolled less around foot portion FP than in  FIG. 7A  which increases the length of intermediate support portion IP.  FIG. 7C  illustrates support mat  102  fully extended whereby support mat  102  is not rolled at all around foot portion FP in order to provide a maximum length for intermediate support portion IP.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate similar features to those of  FIGS. 7A-7C , but show instead foot portion FP rolled in a second direction  202 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates support mat  102  rolled nearly completely around foot portion FP in second direction  202 , thereby minimizing the length of intermediate support portion IP.  FIG. 8B  illustrates support mat  102  in a position rolled less around foot portion FP than in  FIG. 8A  which increases the length of intermediate support portion IP.  FIG. 8C  illustrates support mat  102  fully extended whereby support mat  102  is not rolled at all around foot portion FP in order to provide a maximum length for intermediate support portion IP.  
         [0057]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate bottom perspective views of portions of infant support apparatus  100  showing various fastening mechanisms for attachment of bolster B.  FIG. 9A  illustrates bolster B attachable to support mat  102  by hook and loop type fasteners  114 . Straps or flaps with hook and loop type fasteners  114  attached thereto can be attached to bolster B or support mat  102  to provide for fastening of bolster B to support mat  102 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates bolster B attachable to support mat  102  by snaps  124 . Straps or flaps with snaps  124  attached thereto can be attached to bolster B or support mat  102  to provide for fastening of bolster B to support mat  102 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates bolster B integral with support mat  102  and hence permanently affixed.  FIGS. 10A-10C  and  11 A- 11 C are similar illustrations to  FIGS. 9A-9C , but instead with bolster B being wedge-shaped in  FIGS. 10A-10C  and bolster B being a modified wedge shape with lateral supports projecting therefrom in  FIGS. 11A-11C .  
         [0058]     Furthermore, an infant toy  300  as shown in  FIG. 12  can optionally be removably secured to bolster B. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that infant toy  300  may be attached to bolster B or support mat  102  by any suitable fastening means. Infant toy  300  can be positioned at head portion HP for use by an infant in a prone position or even at foot portion FP for use by an infant in a supine position.  
         [0059]     It will be further understood that various details of the present disclosure may be changed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.