Abstract:
A device for stabilizing the position of an infant while sleeping including a substantially rigid basin assembly having three sides and a base and defining an open end. A basin cover conforms generally to the basin and defines a sleep space, sized and configured for holding an infant, the cover includes a fabric outer surface and at least one of the sides of the basin assembly comprises a plurality of standoffs extending into the basin assembly and defining recesses therebetween. The cover can have an air-permeable section overlaying the recesses to enable pneumatic communication between the sleep space and the recesses.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a sleep positioner for holding an infant while sleeping. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many parents elect to place their infants on adult beds for napping or sleeping. Research has demonstrated that infants who sleep with their parents (sometimes referred to as “co-sleeping”) breastfeed more and receive more protective care and attention during the night, which can be beneficial to the developing child. When co-sleeping, however, parents must take special precautions to ensure the safety of the child such as to avoid possible entrapment of the infant between the bed and the wall or between the bed and headboard, and to limit the infant&#39;s contact with soft bedding materials. 
     A device is desired that can facilitate the advantages attendant to co-sleeping while reducing any associated risks and enhancing child comfort. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a device for stabilizing the position of an infant while sleeping includes a substantially rigid basin assembly having three sides and a base and defining an open end. A basin cover is provided conforming generally to the basin and defining a sleep space, sized and configured for holding an infant, the cover having a fabric outer surface; wherein at least one of the sides of the basin assembly comprises a plurality of standoffs extending into the basin assembly and defining recesses therebetween. The cover can include an air-permeable section overlaying the recesses to enable pneumatic communication between the sleep space and the recesses. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a device for stabilizing the position of an infant while sleeping on an adult bed having a mattress and a foundation includes a substantially rigid basin assembly having three sides and a base and defining an opening, a basin cover having a fabric outer surface and conforming generally to the basin and defining a sleep space, sized and configured for holding an infant and an anchoring flap depending from a head end of the rigid basin, the flap being adapted for insertion between the bed and an adjacent surface for inhibiting movement of the device 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, a device for stabilizing the position of an infant while sleeping includes a substantially rigid three-sided basin assembly defining an opening and being sized and configured for holding the infant, a planar base extending from the basin assembly, a perforated layer extending across the inside surface of the standoffs to prevent the infant from contacting the recesses along the sides of the basin assembly, a foam foot stop removably attached to a lower portion of the planar base; and left and right side netting walls extending from the basin assembly to the foot stop along both side of the planar base for providing supplemental security to the infant occupant. 
     In various embodiments according to the invention, the infant sleep positioner may include a foam foot stop removably attached to a lower portion of the base. In some embodiments, the invention is configured and adapted to be foldable into a stowed state. In one embodiment, the invention is includes at least one flap extending from a bottom edge of the planar base to cover the device in the stowed configuration. The inventions may includes a soft fabric shell covering the basin. The device may further include a night light integral molded to basin. 
     In some embodiments, the invention includes an adjustable positioning insert disposed within the sleep space and including two resilient members removably connected by an adjustable planar base, the planar base sized and dimensioned to span the width of the sleep space. 
     Accordingly, the above-described infant sleep positioner can provide a secure “sleep space” for infants on an adult bed for proximity to parents for access, feeding and care giving throughout the night. The air passages and recesses can enhance breathability and comfort, while the positioning flap can help to anchor the basin against movement. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention is pointed out with particular reference in the appended claims. A fuller understanding of the natures and objects of the invention may be had be reference to the following illustrative descriptions and figures, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a infant sleep positioner, in an open position, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the infant sleep positioner of  FIG. 1 , holding an infant. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view of various components of the infant sleep positioner of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the infant sleep positioner of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the infant sleep positioner of  FIG. 1  installed on a bed. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the infant sleep positioner of  FIG. 1  in a stowed state. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the infant sleep positioner  10  generally includes a shell assembly  15 , a base  20 , and a foot stop  25 . In one embodiment, the shell assembly  15  is a three-sided basin defining an opening and including a left wall  27 , a right wall  28 , and a back wall  29 , each wall extending upwardly in a substantially vertical orientation. The positioner  10  is configured for placement and retention on a bed  30 . 
     In one embodiment, left and right side netting walls  35 ,  37  extend along the base  20  from the left and right walls  27 ,  28  of the shell assembly  15  to the foot stop  25 . The netting walls  35 ,  37  can include an elastic cord threaded along the top seam of the mesh to keep the walls  35 ,  37  taught while permitting some deformation when a load is applied as well as folding the positioner  10  in a stowed state (FIG.  6 ). The walls  27 ,  28 ,  29  of the shell assembly  15 , the left and right side netting walls  35 ,  37  and the foot stop  25  generally define the perimeter of a rectangular sleep space for the placement and protection of an infant  38 . In one embodiment, the infant sleep positioner  10  includes a night light  39 , including a battery holder, switch, bulb and lens, integrally mounted to a top portion of the back wall  29  of the shell assembly  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the infant sleep positioner  10  is positioned on the bed  30  and an infant  38  is placed within the sleep space in a supine position within the sleep space of the infant sleep postioner  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the shell assembly  15  includes a fabric layer  40  covering a basin core  45 . Between the fabric layer  40  and the basin core  45 , a layer of batting material (not shown) may be provided to impart softness to the infant sleep positioner  10 . In one embodiment, the basin core  45  is formed from polypropylene and the fabric covering is polyester or a polyester blend. A portion of the basin core  45  includes a plurality of ridges or standoffs  50  and a plurality of recess regions  53  between the ridges  50 . In one embodiment, a plurality of apertures  55  are located within the recess regions  53  to permit airflow through left and right walls  27 ,  28  of the shell assembly  15 . In an embodiment, the mesh side walls  57 ,  59  ( FIG. 1 ) overlay the ridges  50  to inhibit the infant  38  from contacting the recessed regions  53  between the ridges  50  and affecting normal breathing. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a top rim  65  steps the mesh side walls  57 ,  59  away from the standoffs  50  of the left and right shell walls  27 ,  28  to define a plurality of interstitial spaces  60 . If the infant  38  should roll over and position his or her face proximate to the left or right side walls  27 ,  28 , mesh side walls  57 ,  59  prevent the infant  38  from covering the apertures  55  and the air flow to the infant and the sleep space is not compromised. A removable mattress  70  is provided in one embodiment to fit within the sleep space and provide additional comfort to infant  39  (FIG.  2 ). 
     In one embodiment, a positioner insert  75  is removably located within the sleep space to provide additional stability to the infant  38  occupant. The insert  75  includes left and right nacelles  80 ,  85  each having an extension tab  90 ,  95  extending horizontally therefrom. The extension tabs  90 ,  95  are removably attached together to define a desirable distance between the nacelles  80 ,  85  generally corresponding to the width of the infant. In one embodiment, the nacelle  80 ,  85  are hollow cylindrical or polygonal elements and include mesh ends  90 ,  95  at both ends of the nacelles to permit air flow therethrough. 
     Referring now to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the fabric layer  40  contains a zippered opening  100  in the back of the infant sleep positioner  10  for receiving the basin core  45 . An anchoring flap  105  is shown flexibly attached to a lower portion of the rear wall  29 . In further embodiments, an anchoring extension  110  is flexibly attached to the anchoring extension  105 . In one embodiment, the anchoring flap  105  is removably attached to the rear wall  29  at a tab  115  with hook and loop type fasteners to permit the adjustment of length L to accommodate mattresses  30  of varying heights as will be described below. Either the anchoring flap  105  or the anchoring extension  110  may include a masonite panel for additional rigidity. 
     Referring now to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the infant sleep positioner  10  is installed atop a mattress  30  with the anchoring flap  105  positioned between the mattress  30  and a wall, headboard or footboard  120  and the anchoring extension  110  is positioned between the mattress  30  and a foundation  125 . In one embodiment, the length of the anchoring flap  105  is adjusted by disengaging the hook and loop fasteners holding the flap  105  to the tab  115  and reapplying the anchoring flap  105  to the tab  115  such that the anchoring extension  110  extends to the gap between the mattress  30  and the foundation  125 . Tucking the anchoring extension  110  between the mattress  30  and foundation  125  and/or securing the anchoring flap  105  securely between the mattress  30  and the wall, headboard or footboard  120  minimizes lateral movement of the infant sleep positioner  10  when positioned on the bed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the infant sleep positioner  10  is folded into a stowed state for storage or transport. After removing or moving the positioner insert  75  to the shell assembly  15 , the base  20  is rolled over the top of the shell assembly  15  and a folding flap  130  is rolled up for releaseable attachment to the back of the rear wall  29  in the direction of arrow  135 . The anchoring flap  105  is folded toward the bottom of the shell assembly  15  for releaseable attachment thereto with hook and loop fasteners, for example. A handle  150  is provided in one embodiment for carrying. 
     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the shell assembly  15  may be configured in a tapered or frusto-conical shape, such that the left and right walls  27 ,  28  converge at an upper portion and the need for the rear wall  29  is obviated. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.