Abstract:
A sleeper apparatus for holding an infant designed to simulate the feeling of being held in a caregiver&#39;s arms is herein disclosed. The sleeper is similar in shape to that of a canoe and is able to accommodate most infants via a removable insert section. The insert may be added or removed, depending on the size of the infant. The sleeper is made using padded foam materials and comprises an air bladder located along an inside wall of a perimeter enclosure. The bladder is connected to a DC-powered air pump, which pumps air in and out of the bladder to simulate human breathing. The inner space of the sleeper is contoured to conform to the babies shape. The head area is larger with minimal padding to provide for unobstructed and clear breathing. The foot area is slightly declined and would be provided with additional padding. The sleeper provides a comforting and secure resting place for infants.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/003,186 filed on Nov. 16, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an infant comfort sleeper and, more particularly, to an apparatus that simulated a mother&#39;s breathing motion with an air compressor and an air bladder regulated by a venting valve that provides a gentle motion thereto an infant bed to provide a comfortable resting and sleeping place for said infant. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Babies and infants frequently have trouble falling to sleep. This forces caregivers to employ many different strategies to assist a baby to sleep. Many caregivers will place a baby in a car and drive until the child goes to sleep. Others will hold a baby and rock them until they fall asleep. Babies appear to enjoy the feeling of security of being held. The slight feeling of confinement coupled with the rise and fall of the parent&#39;s chest as they breathe, is something that is guaranteed to put any baby to sleep. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which infants can be provided a feeling of comfort and security while parents or care providers attend to other duties. The development of the invention herein described fulfills this need. 
     There have been attempts in the past to invent sleepers for babies. U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,000 issued to Verbovszky discloses a portable infant cushion that appears to comprise a cushion that encircles an infant. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose an infant sleeper that comprises a powered air compressor that activates a bladder contained inside of the sleeper that provides the sleeper with the ability to simulate the breathing motions of a care giver. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,743 issued to Weil discloses a bed device that appears to comprise a mattress that is conformed to a baby. Unfortunately, this patent does not disclose an infant sleeper that possesses the ability to simulate the breathing motion of a caregiver, nor does it appear to comprise an insertable insert for use with newborns. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,234 issued to Srour et al. discloses an infant comfort mattress that appears to comprise a surface designed to reduce surface contact with an infant. Unfortunately, this patent does not disclose an infant sleeper that comprises a base unit with the ability to simulate the breathing motion of a caregiver, nor does it appear to provide an oval shaped enclosure for placing a baby therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,525 issued to Davis discloses a foldable infant mattress system with sleeping area recess. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose an infant sleeper that simulates the breathing motion of a caregiver. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,465 issued to Carew et al. discloses an infant mattress system with sleeping recess that appears to comprise a mattress made of different materials. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a secure and comfortable infant sleeper that possesses the ability to simulate the rise and fall of a caregiver&#39;s chest during breathing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,876 issued to Petruzulla discloses an infant mattress comprised of a variety of materials and possessing a bumper area around the perimeter of the bed. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose an infant sleeper with a removable insert, nor does it appear to disclose an infant sleeper that simulates the breathing motion of a caregiver. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,646 issued to Neweroski discloses a mattress for a crib with an integral bumper. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose an infant sleeper that may be placed on any firm stable surface nor does it appear to be capable of simulating the chest motion of a caregiver during breathing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the disadvantages as previously described in the prior art, it is apparent that there is a need for an infant comfort sleeper which provides a “canoe” shaped infant bed comprising an internal oscillating air bladder to simulate a mother&#39;s breathing motion. 
     An object of the infant sleeper is to provide a location to place an infant that is secure and comforts an infant by providing a motion that simulates the rise and fall of the chest of a caregiver through breathing. 
     Another object of the infant sleeper is to simulate this motion through the use of an air compressor and an air bladder contained within a base unit. 
     Still another object of the infant sleeper comprises components that are made of hypoallergenic substances and polyurethane foam rubber portions providing waterproof and washable outer surfaces. 
     Still a further object of the infant sleeper comprises a foam insert that may be placed within the base enclosure to provide for newborns. 
     Yet another object of the infant sleeper provides an insert that comprises an elevated head area which provides providing for unobstructed and clear breathing to a newborn contained therein. 
     An aspect of the infant sleeper comprises a base unit, a base bladder, an air compressor, a pneumatic control module, batteries, and an AC power cord. 
     Another aspect of the infant sleeper comprises a base unit further comprising an insert, a battery compartment, an air compressor, an ON/OFF switch, a rheostatic control knob, and a pneumatic control module. The base unit comprises a plastic open-topped enclosure forming a generally oval-shape enclosure suitable for cradling a baby. 
     A further aspect of the infant sleeper comprises a base unit comprising an insert that may be removably and snuggly placed when utilizing the apparatus with a newborn infant. 
     Still another aspect of the infant sleeper comprises a base comprising a base wall that supports a base bladder affixed on the inward facing surface of the base wall. The base bladder comprises an air compressor unit, a solenoid vent valve, and a control module and provides an oscillating breathing motion via an inflating/deflating system. 
     Still a further aspect of the infant sleeper comprises an air compressor unit that provides an internal air filling means to the base bladder. The air compressor unit is a compact unit and further comprises an integral pneumatic control module, a rheostatic control knob, and an on/off switch being mounted to along a front surface of the base unit. 
     Yet another aspect of the infant sleeper comprises a pneumatic control module comprises an electronic control device providing a housing means thereto all necessary electrical and pneumatic components required to provide cyclic inflating and deflating of the base bladder via a solenoid vent valve. 
     Yet a further aspect of the infant sleeper is an external rheostatic control knob that provides manual frequency regulation of said oscillating inflating and deflating of said base bladder. 
     Yet another aspect of the infant sleeper is a plurality of batteries and an AC adapter to provide power to the sleeper. The batteries are housed in a battery compartment which further comprises a removable plastic flush-mounted access door. 
     A method of installing and utilizing the apparatus may be achieved by performing the following steps: installing a fresh set of rechargeable or disposable batteries into the battery compartment or, alternately, utilizing the AC adapter using an available household outlet; placing the apparatus preferably thereupon a non-traffic floor area or other safe flat surface; adding appropriate blankets and sheets required to obtain a desired sleeping temperature for an infant; pressing the ON/OFF switch to initiate the air compressor unit and solenoid vent valve, thereby producing the simulated breathing motion; regulating the frequency of said breathing motion by turning the rheostatic control knob to a desired oscillating rate; allowing continuous automatic functioning of the apparatus as needed; pressing the ON/OFF switch again to stop the breathing motion; retaining the infant in the apparatus or removing said infant from the apparatus as desired; and, benefiting from improved quality and duration of a baby or infant&#39;s sleeping experience using the present invention. 
     An alternate method of utilizing the apparatus using the insert portion may be accomplished by performing the following additional steps: placing the insert completely down into the base unit if the apparatus is being used with a newborn baby; placing a baby thereinto said insert giving care to position said baby&#39;s head at the proper end of the padded insert floor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an infant comfort sleeper  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an insert portion  20  of an infant comfort sleeper  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a front perspective view of a base portion  30  of an infant comfort sleeper  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a section view taken along section A-A (see  FIG. 3   a ) of an infant comfort sleeper  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of an infant comfort sleeper  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 infant comfort sleeper 
               
               
                 20 
                 insert 
               
               
                 21 
                 insert side panel 
               
               
                 22 
                 insert floor 
               
               
                 23 
                 insert rim 
               
               
                 30 
                 base unit 
               
               
                 31 
                 base wall 
               
               
                 32 
                 base bladder 
               
               
                 33 
                 base floor 
               
               
                 34 
                 base rim 
               
               
                 35 
                 air compressor unit 
               
               
                 36 
                 pneumatic control module 
               
               
                 37 
                 ON/OFF switch 
               
               
                 38 
                 battery compartment 
               
               
                 39 
                 breathing motion 
               
               
                 40 
                 rheostatic control knob 
               
               
                 41 
                 solenoid vent valve 
               
               
                 50 
                 battery 
               
               
                 52 
                 direct current (DC) receptacle 
               
               
                 54 
                 alternating current (AC) adapter 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an infant comfort sleeper (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a “canoe” shaped infant bed comprising an internal oscillating air bladder  32  to simulate a mother&#39;s breathing motion  39 . The apparatus  10  provides an open-topped base enclosure  30  with plastic walls  31 . The air bladder  32  is connected to a battery-powered air compressor  35  which pumps air in and out of the bladder  32  to simulate human breathing. The inside of the apparatus  10  is contoured to a baby&#39;s shape. Additionally, a foam insert  20  is provided for newborn babies. The use of the apparatus  10  provides a location to place an infant, which is comforting and secure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a base unit  30 , an insert  20 , a battery compartment  38 , an air compressor  35 , an ON/OFF switch  37 , a rheostatic control knob  40 , and a pneumatic control module  36 . The base unit  30  comprises a semi-rigid plastic exterior base wall portion  31  having an open top region providing a generally oval-shaped enclosure being suitable for cradling a baby weighing approximately ten (10) to twenty (20) pounds. Affixed along a front outside surface of said base unit  30  is an air compressor unit  35  further comprising an ON/OFF switch  37 , a rheostatic control knob  40 , a battery compartment  38 , and a pneumatic control module  36 . The aforementioned components provide an automatic inflating and deflating means thereto an internal bladder  32 , thereby emulating a mother&#39;s breathing motion  39  (see  FIG. 3 ). Said air compressor unit  35  and associated controls are powered by a plurality of rechargeable or disposable batteries  50  contained therewithin a battery compartment  38  or receive power therefrom a removably attachable AC adapter  54  subsequently connected thereto a common household 110-volt AC circuit in an expected manner (see  FIG. 4 ). The base unit  30  forms an inner oval-shaped cavity in which an insert  20  may be removably and snuggly placed therein when utilizing the apparatus  10  thereto a newborn infant. The insert  20  comprises a particular size and contour being designed to safely secure a newborn infant (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of an insert portion  20  of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The insert  20  comprises an insert side panel  21 , an insert floor  22 , and an insert rim  23 . The insert  20  comprises an assembly of molded foam sections of particular sizes and contours designed to gently cradle and secure a newborn infant. The insert  20  and its components are envisioned to be made using hypoallergenic polyurethane foam rubber portions providing waterproof and washable outer surfaces being common in the industry and attached thereto each other using various FDA approved non-toxic adhesives. The insert side panel  21  comprises a perimeter section which forms a generally vertical and continuous surface around the insert  20  being angled outwardly along an upper edge region forming an insert rim  23 . The external shape of the insert side panel  21  further comprise contours which correspond in a parallel manner thereto corresponding inner surfaces of the base unit  30 , thereby fitting snuggly thereinto said base unit  30 . The inside surfaces of the insert side panel  21  slope downwardly and are affixed thereto a horizontal insert floor portion  22 . The insert floor  22  comprises a generally oval shape comprising ample padding, thereby providing a comfortable and safe sleeping surface for a baby. The insert floor  22  further comprises an elevated head area which provides a wide surface comprising a reduced padding area to contact an infant&#39;s head and facial areas, thereby providing for unobstructed and clear breathing. The insert floor  22  then slopes slightly downward to form a lower and narrower foot area with additional padding. Positioned along a top perimeter edge of the insert  12  is a padded insert rim  23  which provides a protective and decorative border to the insert  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a front perspective and a section view of a base portion  30  of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The base unit  30  comprises a base wall  31 , a base rim  34 , a battery compartment  38 , an air compressor unit  35 , an ON/OFF switch  37 , a pneumatic control module  36 , and a rheostatic control knob  40 . The base unit  30  comprises a plastic open-topped enclosure forming a generally oval-shape enclosure approximately fourteen (14) inches wide and thirty (30) inches long with a vertical base wall  31  being approximately eight (8) inches high all around. The base wall  31  is envisioned being made of a semi-rigid plastic material such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or the like, thereby supporting a base bladder  32  affixed all around an inward facing surface thereof. Affixed therealong a bottom edge portion of the base wall  31  is a base floor  33 . The base floor  33  comprises a padded surface to comfortably support an infant without impeding normal breathing. Located along an upper edge of said base wall  31  is a base rim  34 . The base rim  34  comprises a rounded edge region affixed thereto the base wall  31  using common adhesives and providing a protective and decorative padded border to the base unit  30  while supporting the insert rim portion  23  of the insert  20  when being utilized. The base wall  31  and base rim  34  are envisioned to be made using dense hypoallergenic polyurethane foam rubber sections providing waterproof and washable outer surfaces being common in the industry and assembled using various FDA approved non-toxic adhesives. The base unit  30  is envisioned being provided in a variety of decorative colors and patterns. The base bladder  32  provides an oscillating breathing motion  39  via an inflating/deflating system comprising an air compressor unit  35 , a solenoid vent valve  41 , and a control module  36 . During an inflating and deflating cycle, the base bladder  32  provides a gentle horizontally expanding and contracting breathing motion  39  directed toward a center point of the base unit  30 , thereby emulating a mother&#39;s breathing. Additionally, said breathing motion  39  is mechanically transmitted thereinto the insert portion  20  when utilized. The bladder  32  comprises an annular-shaped sealed vessel envisioned to be made of a soft and compliant grade of hypoallergenic latex rubber or equivalent expandable material. The base bladder  32  is affixed along an outer surface thereof to the base wall  31  using FDA approved non-toxic adhesives. Located therebetween the front surface of the base wall  31  and the base bladder  32 , in an anticipated foot area, is a compact air compressor unit  35  comprising outwardly facing control components including an ON/OFF switch  37  and a rheostatic control knob  40 . The air compressor unit  35  provides an internal air filling means to the base bladder  32 . The air compressor unit  35  is envisioned to be a compact unit similar to those used to inflate popular inflatable air mattresses. The air compressor unit  35  also comprises an integral pneumatic control module  36 , a rheostatic control knob  40 , and an on/off switch  37  being mounted thereto along a front surface of the base unit  30 . The pneumatic control module  36  comprises an electronic control device providing a housing means thereto all necessary electrical and pneumatic components required to provide cyclic inflating and deflating of the base bladder  32  via a solenoid vent valve  41  (see  FIG. 4 ). The external rheostatic control knob  40  provides manual frequency regulation of said oscillating inflating and deflating of said base bladder  32 , thereby selectively simulating a mother&#39;s breathing pattern. The ON/OFF switch  37  initiates a flow of DC electrical power to the air compressor unit  35 , and the rheostatic control knob  40 . Said DC power is provided via a plurality of batteries  50  or an AC adapter  54  being inserted thereinto a common DC receptacle  52  mounted thereto the air compressor unit  35  along a front surface (see  FIG. 4 ). The battery compartment  38  comprises expected features including a plastic flush-mounted access door which may be easily removed using a small tool to access said batteries  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. DC power is supplied to the apparatus  10  via a plurality of batteries  50  or therefrom the AC adapter  54  which is subsequently connected thereto a common household 110-volt AC circuit. Said DC power is then conducted thereto a pneumatic control module  36 . The pneumatic control module  36  comprises a circuit board which provides input/output capability and embedded software to energize the compressor motor  35  and activate the solenoid vent valve  41  in an alternating fashion, thereby creating an oscillating pneumatic cycle. An ON/OFF switch  37  provides an input signal to said pneumatic control module  36  to initiate said continuous cycles until said ON/OFF switch  37  is pressed again. The ON/OFF switch  37  is envisioned to be a simple panel-mount momentary contact closure device common in the industry. The pneumatic control module  36  also provides a means to control a frequency of said oscillating pneumatic cycle via a rheostatic control knob  40  which provides a variable voltage input thereto said pneumatic control module  36 . The pneumatic control module  36  subsequently provides an output current thereto the motor portion of the air compressor unit  35  and thereto the solenoid vent valve  41  during operation of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: installing a fresh set of rechargeable or disposable batteries  50  thereinto the battery compartment  38  or, alternately, utilizing the AC adapter  54  using an available household outlet; placing the apparatus  10  preferably thereupon a non-traffic floor area or other safe flat surface; adding appropriate blankets and sheets required to obtain a desired sleeping temperature for an infant; pressing the ON/OFF switch  37  to initiate the air compressor unit  35  and solenoid vent valve  41 , thereby producing the simulated breathing motion  39 ; regulating the frequency of said breathing motion  39  by turning the rheostatic control knob  40  thereto a desired oscillating rate; allowing continuous automatic functioning of the apparatus  10  as needed; pressing the ON/OFF switch  37  again to stop the breathing motion  39 ; retaining the infant therein the apparatus  10  or removing said infant therefrom the apparatus  10  as desired; and, benefiting from improved quality and duration of a baby or infant&#39;s sleeping experience using the present invention  10 . 
     An alternate method of utilizing the apparatus  10  using the insert portion  20  may be accomplished by performing the following additional steps: placing the insert  20  completely down into the base unit  30  if the apparatus  10  is being used with a newborn baby; placing a baby thereinto said insert  20  giving care to position said baby&#39;s head at the proper end of the padded insert floor  22 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.