Compact Portable Bedding System

A multipurpose bed for young children, toddlers and infants includes a two piece foldable mattress surrounded by a soft enclosure wall. Portions of the enclosure wall can be removed or laterally pivoted on zippers which serve as hinges to configure the mattress for placement in a crib, for use as a play mat or for sharing with an adult, such as during nursing. The bed can be folded from a flat horizontal sleeping position to a folded clam-shell position which defines a storage space for storing bedding accessories.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

A bedding system includes a mattress with removable side walls and end walls which can be selectively configured to accommodate infants, toddlers and small children as they grow from birth up to five years of age or more. The bedding system can be quickly adjusted from a flat, planar horizontal sleeping position into a portable folded clam-shell storage position.

If desired, the bedding system can also be configured for easy access and use by adults wishing to play, rest, or sleep next to their child or share a portion of the mattress adjacent to their child, such as during nursing. The bedding system can be used with or without a crib and with or without one or more removable side walls or end walls.

A pair of mattress pads is coupled together to form a foldable mattress which can be easily placed into and removed from a crib. Pivoting, detachable soft padded side walls and end walls can be coupled to the mattress pads to form a soft protective enclosure defining vertically-extending bumper walls extending above and around the mattress pads when the side walls and end walls are secured on top of the mattress pads.

In one configuration, the removable side walls and end walls can be hinged to the mattress pads with, for example, open-ended zippers. The zippers allow the side walls and end walls to pivot laterally outwardly and downwardly from on top of the mattress pads to a position substantially coplanar with the with the mattress pads, such as when the mattress pads are placed in a flat, horizontal sleeping position.

The side walls and end walls typically stop pivoting after rotating about ninety degrees from their upright positions on top of the mattress to flat horizontal positions bordering the outer sides or perimeter of the mattress pads. This outward and downward movement of the side walls and end walls increases the horizontal planar area of support to provide a larger play, rest or sleeping area.

The side walls and end walls are dimensioned to extend laterally outwardly from the mattress pads to form an enlarged, substantially coplanar or flat support surface together with the mattress pads when the side walls and end walls are pivoted fully laterally outwardly and downwardly from their positions on top of the mattress pads. This larger support surface provides a larger padded play area or a larger rest or sleeping area for larger children and/or adults.

The mattress pads can be coupled together with an open-ended zipper to allow the mattress pads to move apart to facilitate placing the mattress pads in a juxtaposed compact portable configuration for travel or storage, An additional flexible hinge can be coupled between the mattress pads with a sheet of flexible material to allow limited separation of the mattress pads when the zipper coupling the mattress pads is removed.

When the mattress pads are released or unzipped from each other and then folded or rotated into mutually confronting or juxtaposed clam-shell positions, with the side walls and end walls held in their upright positions on top of the mattress pads, a substantially closed storage space or storage compartment is formed between the opposing mattress pads, the top surfaces of the confronting side walls and end walls and the flexible sheet of material attached between adjoining bottom portions of the mattress pads. A fastener, such as a zipper, can hold the two confronting portions of the bedding in a closed clam-shell position for travel or storage.

Abutment between the top surfaces of the side walls and end walls spaces apart the top surfaces of the mattress pads and defines a closed border wall around the storage compartment in the manner of a hinged container.

The storage compartment can be used to hold and store, for example, all the bedding accessories typically used for a child’s crib or bed. This not only facilitates travelling with the bedding system by carrying all of the child’s bedding in one convenient, compact portable unit, it can also provide an advantage at retail.

That is, the bedding system can be sold at retail with any number of bedding accessories stored in the storage compartment and sold as a complete sleeping, nursing, changing and play mat system. This eliminates the need to shop for individual accessories and can result in overall cost savings by offering a complete and economical solution for providing all of the typical accessories needed for a child’s bed.

In one example, the bedding system can originally contain at a point of sale any one or more bedding accessories including a mattress cover, such as a quilted or other type of sleeping pad, a crib sheet, a wedge-shaped memory foam head support pillow, a cotton baby pillow, a comforter and a blanket. As an option, additional child accessories can be provided in the storage compartment at retail or later when traveling, such as diapers, wipes, clothing, baby bottles, formula and the like.

The bedding system can be removed from a crib as a child grows and expanded laterally and/or longitudinally as needed to provide a larger area for sleeping, resting and playing. As any one or more of the side walls and end walls can be removed whether the mattress is inside a crib or outside a crib, many different configurations of the bedding system are possible to suit the needs of both parents and child.

For example, a single side wall on the mattress can be removed adjacent to an open gate in the side wall of a crib to facilitate access to a child. In another configuration an end wall and a pair of sidewalls on opposite ends of the end wall can be removed to allow an adult to lie next to a child outside a crib. In yet another configuration, both side walls on one side of the mattress can be removed and the mattress with both end walls and the side walls on the other side of the mattress can be placed on an adult’s bed to allow a parent easy access to their child while both are resting or nursing.

Beveled or mitered joints can be provided between each end wall and each pair of adjoining side walls. One or more quick release fasteners can be provided between and/or adjacent to each joint to securely hold the end walls and side walls in an upright position on top of the underlying mattress pads.

The mattress can be dimensioned to fit closely within the walls of a crib. For example the mattress can be about fifty-two inches long and about twenty eight inches wide. The mattress, side walls and end walls can be constructed of a compacted cotton material encased in a durable waterproof oxford fabric shell. In another embodiment, the side walls and end walls can be constructed of a compacted polyester fill such as polyfill encased in a durable waterproof oxford shell. The fabric shell can be removed from the formed cotton material or formed polyester fill for cleaning via zippered openings in the exterior fabric shell.

An organic cotton or polyester fill quilted bed pad or mattress cover about fifty-two inches long and twenty-eight inches wide can be placed over the mattress and secured to the mattress with fasteners, such as snap fasteners provided on the corners of the mattress cover and the corners of the mattress. A child can then lie on the secured quilted mattress cover and be covered with a cotton comforter about forty eight inches long and about thirty inches wide.

A wedge-shaped pillow of, for example, memory foam, can underlie a cotton baby pillow to provide proper support for a sleeping child. The cotton pillow can be formed with a concave center portion for improving comfort and promoting rest and sleep.

To facilitate portability of the bedding system in its closed clam-shell configuration, a carrying strap or handle can be provided on the exterior or bottom surface of each mattress pad.

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A representative embodiment of a multipurpose bed10is shown inFIGS.1-4. The bed10can be easily folded in half from the flat, horizontal sleeping configuration shown inFIG.1to the compact folded clam-shell configuration shown inFIG.2. The bed10can be adjusted and modified in shape and size for accommodating infants, toddlers and young children up to five years of age or more, all hereinafter collectively referred to as a “child” or “children”.

The bed10can also be quickly and conveniently adjusted and configured for shared use by both adults and children. That is, an adult can share a portion of the bed10with a child while both are playing, resting, sleeping or nursing.

The bed10includes a mattress12having a first mattress portion18coupled to a second mattress portion20with a releasable central fastener24. As seen inFIG.3, the central fastener24can take the form of an open-ended zipper26having a first strip of zipper teeth28provided along a first central end portion30of the first mattress portion18and a second strip of zipper teeth34provided along a second central end portion36of the second mattress portion20.

When the zipper26is zipped together as shown inFIG.1, the central end portions30,36(FIG.3) are closely coupled to each other to form a substantially continuous planar mattress12. As further seen inFIG.3, the first strip of zipper teeth28extends along the top central edge40of the top surface portion44of the first mattress portion18, and the second strip of zipper teeth34extends along the top central edge48of the top surface portion52of the second mattress portion20.

A zipper pull tab54is provided on the zipper26for quickly and easily coupling and uncoupling the first and second mattress portions18,20. Throughout this disclosure, each zipper is shown as an open-ended zipper having a pair of releasable and completely separable zipper strips and a zipper pull tab54.

The central fastener24is shown fastened in the flat horizontal sleeping position inFIG.1, and unfastened in the folded clam-shell storage position shown inFIG.2.

As further shown inFIG.1, a protective upstanding removable enclosure wall60is secured on the top surface portions44,52of the mattress12. The enclosure wall60surrounds the interior portion of the mattress12and provides a soft buffer around a child located inside the enclosure wall60.

The enclosure wall60includes a first pair of side walls62,64releasably and removably coupled to the top side edge portions66,68of the first mattress portion18with a first pair of open-ended zippers72,74. In this example, the enclosure wall60is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, but other shapes are possible.

Zipper72is shown in a dashed line inFIG.1, and includes a zipper strip78shown in a dashed line inFIG.3. The zipper strip78is secured along an outer bottom edge portion80of the first side wall62and a complementary zipper strip82is secured along the top side edge portion66of the first mattress portion18. Zipper74(FIGS.1and2) includes a zipper strip84(FIG.3) secured along an outer bottom edge portion86of the side wall64and a zipper strip88secured along the top side edge portion66of the first mattress portion18.

The enclosure wall60further includes a second pair of side walls90,92releasably and removably coupled to the top side edge portions96,98of the second mattress portion20with a second pair of open-ended zippers100,102(FIGS.1and2) in the same manner as the first pair of side walls62,64. Zipper100is shown in a dashed line inFIG.1.

The zipper100includes a zipper strip108, shown in a dashed line inFIG.3, secured along an outer bottom edge portion112of the side wall90and a zipper strip116secured along the top side edge portion96of the second mattress portion20. Zipper102(FIG.1) includes a zipper strip120(FIG.3) secured along an outer bottom edge portion124of the side wall92and a zipper strip126secured along the top side outer edge portion98of the second mattress portion20.

As seen inFIG.4, the first pair of side walls62,64has a first pair of central walls132,134that confront and abut a second pair of central walls136,138on the second pair of side walls90,92when the bed10is configured as shown inFIG.1. When the bed10is configured as shown inFIG.4, the first and second mattress portions18,20can be separated apart from their abutting flat horizontal sleeping position shown inFIG.1for facilitating folding the bed10into the folded clam-shell storage position shown inFIG.2.

When the bed10is configured as shown inFIG.1, the first and second pairs of central walls132through138and the first and second mattress portions18,20confront and abut and contact one another along a pair of central wall joints144,148. InFIG.1, the first pair of side walls62,64is secured in an upright vertical position by a first end wall150, and the second pair of side walls90,92is secured in an upright vertical position by a second end wall152.

The first end wall150and the second end wall152, when secured to the first and second pairs of side walls62,64and90,92and to the first and second mattress portions18,20complete the upstanding removable enclosure wall60, as described more fully below. In the example of the bed10shown in the drawings, the first and second end walls150,152are releasably and removably coupled to the first and second mattress portions18,20with first and second end wall zippers160,162(FIG.2).

The first end wall zipper160includes a first zipper strip166(FIG.3) secured to an outer bottom edge portion170of the first end wall150and a complementary zipper strip172secured to a top side outer end portion174of the first mattress portion18. In a similar fashion, the second end wall zipper162includes a zipper strip166secured to an outer bottom edge portion178of the second end wall152and a complementary zipper strip180secured to a top side edge portion182of the second mattress portion20.

As further shown inFIG.3, the first pair of side walls62,64can be secured to opposite end portions of the first end wall150with a first pair of releasable fasteners190,192. In the example shown inFIG.3, each of the pair of releasable fasteners190,192includes a hook and loop fastener provided between the first pair of side walls62,64and the first end wall150.

One end portion of each of the first pair of side walls62,64can be beveled or mitered, such as at a forty-five degree angle. The opposite end portions of the first end wall150can be similarly beveled or mitered, such as at a forty-five degree angle. In this manner, a first pair of releasable ninety degree beveled corner joints200,202(FIG.1) can be formed by releasable pressured contact between the first pair of releasable fasteners190,192and the opposite end portions of the first end wall150.

Similarly, the second pair of side walls90,92can be secured to opposite end portions of the second end wall152with a second pair of releasable fasteners208,210. In this example, each of the second pair of releasable fasteners208,210includes a hook and loop fastener provided between the second pair of side walls90,92and the second end wall152.

One end portion of each of the second pair of side walls90,92can be beveled or mitered, such as at a forty-five degree angle. The opposite end portions of the second end wall152can be similarly beveled or mitered, such as at a forty-five degree angle. This construction provides a second pair of releasable ninety degree beveled corner joints216,218which can be formed by releasable pressured contact between the second pair of releasable fasteners208,210and the opposite end portions of the second end wall152.

As described above, the first pair of releasable fasteners190,192is provided in the first pair of corner joints200,202and the second pair of releasable fasteners208,210is provided in the second pair of corner joints218,218. The first and second pairs of fasteners190,192and208,210maintain the enclosure wall60in a sturdy, upright, upstanding vertical position on top of the mattress10.

To add further support, rigidity and strength to the enclosure wall60, a first pair of flexible releasable flap fasteners222,224is provided between the first pair of side walls62,64and opposite end portions of the first end wall150and a second pair of flexible releasable flap fasteners228,230is provided between the second pair of side walls90,92and opposite end portions of the second end wall152.

In the example shown inFIGS.1and3, the first pair of flexible releasable flap fasteners222,224includes a first pair of fabric strips or fabric flaps234fixed and flexibly hinged to opposite end portions of the first end wall150. The second pair of flexible releasable flap fasteners228,230includes a second pair of fabric strips or fabric flaps236fixed to and flexibly hinged to opposite end portions of the second end wall152.

The first and second pairs of fabric flaps respectively extend between adjoining inner wall surface portions of the first and second pairs of side walls62,64and90,92. Hook and loop fasteners are shown provided on the first and second pairs of fabric flaps234,236and the adjoining inner wall surface portions of the first and second pairs of side walls62,64and90,92.

Pulling apart and releasing selected hook and loop fasteners which secure and support the corner joints200,210,216and218allows any one or more of the side walls62,64,90and92and/or either or both end walls150,152to pivot outwardly and downwardly around their respective zippers, as represented by the directional arrows238inFIG.1. This allows selective access directly to the mattress12by lowering and optionally removing (unzipping) any one or more of the side walls and end walls that form the enclosure wall60.

Leaving the side walls and end walls in their outwardly pivoted positions from on top of the mattress12to a lowered position adjacent to and coplanar with the mattress12extends the “footprint” or soft horizontal support area of the bed10. This provides a larger rest, sleep and play area.

In order to transform the bed10from the flat horizontal sleeping position shown inFIG.1with the central fastener24fastened between the first and second mattress portions18,20, into the folded clam-shell storage position shown inFIG.2, the central fastener24is unfastened and the first and second mattress portions18,20are separated and rotated or folded toward each other as shown inFIG.4.

As further shown inFIGS.3and4, a sheet of flexible material240is fixed to the central bottom portions242,244of the first and second mattress portions18,20. In this example, the sheet of flexible material240permanently couples the adjoining central end portions30,36of the first and second mattress portions18,20. The sheet of flexible material240allows a limited amount of spacing between the first and second mattress portions18,20when the central fastener24is unfastened. The sheet of flexible material also allows the first and second mattress portions18,20to move apart and fold together from the flat horizontal sleeping position ofFIG.1to the folded clam-shell storage position shown inFIG.2.

As further seen inFIGS.2and4, the sheet of flexible material240forms a protective exterior cover over the first and second adjoining central mattress end portions30,36and the first and second pairs of central walls132,134and136,138on the first and second pairs of side walls18,20and90,92when the bed10is placed into the folded clam-shell storage position shown inFIG.2. The sheet of flexible material can be formed of a durable, waterproof, slip-resistant fabric material such as a polyester material.

When the bed10is configured in the folded clam-shell storage position shown inFIG.2, a releasable closure fastener such as a releasable closure zipper248can be fastened together to securely hold the bed10in its folded clam-shell storage position. Zipper248can include a first strip of zipper teeth252secured along an outer top edge portion of the first and wall150and a second complementary strip of zipper teeth254secured along an outer top edge portion of the second end wall152. A pair of carrying handles or carrying straps260,262(FIG.2) can be provided on the first and second mattress portions18,20to facilitate the carrying and ease of portability of the bed10.

It can be appreciated that when the bed10is configured in the folded clam-shell storage position ofFIG.2, the top surfaces264,266of the first pair of side walls62,64confront and abut the top surfaces270,272of the second pair of side walls90,92. In addition, the top surfaces278,280of the first and second end walls150152also confront and abut each other. This abutment and contact between the first and second pairs of side walls and the first and second end walls creates a closed compartment or storage space282(FIG.2) between the first and second mattress portions18,20, the inner surfaces of the first and second pairs of side walls62,64, the inner surfaces of the first and second end walls150,152and the sheet of flexible material240.

As shown inFIG.1, any one or more bedding accessories can be included with the bed10and stored in the storage space282(FIG.2). For example, a sleeping pad284, a blanket286, a head support wedge288and a pillow290can be stored and carried within the storage space along with any other accessories such as toys, diapers and baby bottles.

The sleeping pad284can be releasably secured to the four corner portions of the mattress10with, for example, snap fasteners296provided on the four corner portions of the sleeping pad284and four corner portions of the mattress12. The corners of the sleeping pad284can be releasably fastened under fabric tabs or pockets298provided on each corner portion of the mattress12under which complementary snap fasteners296are fixed to receive the snap fasteners296on the sleeping pad.

Although the mattress12, side walls62,64,90,92and end walls150,152can be manufactured with conventional materials such as foam rubber, it is preferred to use a compacted cotton material or a compacted polyfiber such as polyester fiber and poly fill. Compacted poly fiber and poly fill retains its shape longer than foam rubber, does not turn yellow with age as does foam rubber and is considered healthier to use around children than conventional foam rubber.