Infant lulling device

A device for lulling infants to sleep comprising a pillow with a receptacle and closure, wherein the middle portion of the sides of the pillow are curved inwards to form four corner sections, and wherein the corner sections of the pillow are puffed up compared to the rest of the pillow, so that the pillow can be easily used in conjunction with cradles, bassinets, strollers, and similar baby gear;. The device further comprises a battery-operated sound/vibration generating instrument received within the receptacle. The instrument can be operated to produce either sound or vibrations, or both. The sound comprises a simulated mother's heartbeat or a lullaby.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to neonatal accessories and more particularly to an infant lulling device for providing a comforting and a soothing environment by which an infant can be easily lulled to sleep.

Babies, particularly during infancy, require frequent care and attention, including rest as often as possible to promote good health. It has been observed that infants are easily distracted by noises or erratic sounds, which make promoting adequate sleep difficult. Devices are known in the art to help lull infants to sleep. Typically, these devices promote an atmosphere of well being for infants, helping them fall asleep faster and remain asleep for longer periods of time.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,611 to Belkin discloses an infant mattress with heating and tickling mechanisms for pacifying or distracting an infant reposed thereon. A clock or ticking mechanism and a heating unit are placed within the mattress such that they are located right beneath the infant as reposed on the mattress. The clock comprises a winding knob extending outwards from the mattress for operating or for the setting up of the clock. The clock and the heating unit, both aid in inducing the infant to fall asleep. The present invention has no heating unit, as used in the mattress of Belkin.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,912 to Hughes discloses a baby sleep inducer, which can be concealed in a baby crib, mattress, etc. The sleep inducer comprises a battery operated sound reproducing mechanism that is to be received within a foam cover, which in turn is received within an outer covering. The sound reproducing mechanism produces a sound that is characteristic of a womb sound in the last four months of fetus gestation period. This sound has a soothing, calming, and a sleep inducing effect on a baby.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,642 to Clute discloses an infant support pillow. The support pillow comprises two similar elongated triangular foam members connected by a flat rectangular panel so as to form a central U-shaped channel. The U-shaped channel is sized and structured for securely supporting an infant on its side while sleeping. The support pillow further comprises an audio emitter placed within a triangular foam member centrally. The audio emitter is structured for emitting a generated sound preferably similar to those sounds experienced by the infant when in the womb so as to promote sleep. However, the present invention differs from the above references as it comprises a sound/vibration generating instrument, which is to be received within a pillow designed to tuck into a variety of positions and locations.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a structurally simple infant lulling device.

A further object is to provide an infant lulling device which capable of emitting sound, vibrations, or both so as have a soothing and lulling effect on an infant.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an infant lulling device comprising a pillow resembling the shape of a butterfly so that the device can be easily tucked into blankets, other pillows, bassinets, cradles, and other child care structures. These and other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an infant lulling device comprising a pillow and a means for generating sounds and vibrations. The pillow has elongated lobes, giving it the general shape of a butterfly so that the device can be easily tucked into other pillows, blankets, carriers, bassinets, strollers, and cradles. The pillow includes a receptacle within which a sound and vibration generating instrument is received. The instrument can produce either sound or vibrations, or both to provide a soothing atmosphere for an infant as it reposes on or near the pillow. The vibrations emanating from the pillow help infants fall asleep faster and remain asleep for a longer period of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an infant lulling device is illustrated and generally indicated as10inFIGS. 1 through 5. The device10is for lulling an infant to sleep by providing a comforting, soothing and relaxing environment.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 5, the device10comprises a soft plush quilted pillow12and a battery-operated sound generating and vibrating instrument14. In one preferred embodiment, the pillow12is made of a polyester and cotton blend fabric. The sides of the pillow are curved inwards, resulting in a number of corner sections16. The corner sections16are rounded and puffed up. In one preferred embodiment, the backside of the pillow12is substantially flat, and the corner sections16are rounded and puffed up on the front of the device10.

The device10further comprises an additional cushion18attached centrally on one side of the pillow12. In a preferred embodiment, the pillow12comprises a butterfly shape, which allows individual lobes16to be tucked into tight places, making the device10easy to use in conjunction with carriers, bassinets, cradles, baby strollers, etc. The periphery of the pillow12comprises ruffles20. The device10further comprises sealable closure slits34, located between two corner sections16along longitudinal axis22to create flaps. Straps can be passed through the flaps to fasten the pillow to a bassinet, cradle, or other location. In a preferred embodiment, the pillow12is symmetrical about longitudinal22and transverse axes24passing through the center as seen inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the device10further comprises a receptacle26located centrally at the backside of the pillow12. A flap28, made of fabric in one embodiment, closes over the opening of the receptacle26as the edges of the flap28and the opening of the receptacle26are equipped with a fastening means. The sound and vibration generating instrument14is received in the receptacle26. The flap28also comprises an opening30to access the controls of the instrument14; including volume adjustment, power, and any other controls for affecting the sounds or vibrations of the device. The device10further comprises a pair of straps32extending from opposite edges of the opening of the receptacle26. The straps32are to be secured over the sound generating instrument14so that the instrument14is held firmly in place.

The sound and vibration generating instrument14can be operated to emit either sound or vibrations, or a combination of both. The sound produced from the instrument14can be a lullaby or the simulated sound of heartbeat. The sound and vibrations emitted from the device provide a soothing and a soothing and lulling effect on an infant.