Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a protection device for cribs including a set of crib slat protectors. The set of crib slat protectors comprises a set of side crib slat protectors and a set of top crib slat protectors to allow an infant protection when he/she is in the crib. In certain embodiments, the protection device comprises a securing device that allows the crib slat protectors to stay secure to the crib slats.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to a protection device for cribs including a set of crib slat protectors. The set of crib slat protectors comprises a set of side crib slat protectors and a set of top crib slat protectors to allow an infant protection when he/she is in the crib. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Protection is often needed for an infant in a crib. The slats of a crib often injure an infant when the infant attempts to climb out of the crib or if the infant is playing in the crib. One solution is soft pads that are placed around the bars of the crib. One problem with the apparatus is the ability of the infant to push the soft pads downward and use the bunched material of the soft pad as a step to climb out of the crib. Another problem with this apparatus is the ability of the infant to push the soft pads downward and get his/her body parts stuck between the bunched material and the bars of the crib often resulting in injury and sometimes death. Another solution is crib bumpers. The problem with this apparatus is that material only covers the bottom portion of the bars of the crib so injury can occur when an infant bumps their body against the upper portion of the crib bars. 
         [0003]    Therefore, there is a need for a protection device for cribs that provides padding on the crib slats while simultaneously not allowing the material of the protection device to move along the crib slats. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a crib slat protection device, comprising a first set of rectangular devices, said first set of rectangular devices comprising an outer material, an inner material, a fastener, a first edge and a second edge, said first edge is for wrapping around a slat in a first direction, said second edge is for wrapping around said slat in a second direction, said first edge and said second edge meeting to form a tubular member around said slat, said first edge releasably attached to said second edge by said fastener, and a second set of rectangular devices, said second set of rectangular devices comprising an outer material, an inner material, a top edge, a bottom edge, a fastener, a securing device, said securing device comprising a rubber material, said securing device fixedly attached to an inner portion of said inner material from said top edge to said bottom edge, said securing device further comprising a heat resistant material, a first edge and a second edge, said first edge is for wrapping around a slat in a first direction, said second edge is for wrapping around said slat in a second direction, said first edge and said second edge meeting to form a tubular member around said slat, said first edge releasably attached to said second edge by said fastener, said securing device attached to said inner material. 
         [0005]    Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an outer view of a protection device according to the invention including side slat protective material, top slat protective material, a first fastener, and a second fastener. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an inner view of the protection device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the protection device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the top slat protection device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the side slat protection device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the protection device of  FIG. 1  as used on a crib. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , side slat protection device  100  comprises an outer material  110  and a fastener  130 . A user can wrap side slat protection device  100  around a side crib slat and secure side slat protection device  100  to the side crib slat using fastener  130 . In certain embodiments, outer material  110  comprises a cotton fabric material. In other embodiments, outer material  110  comprises a plastic material. In certain embodiments, outer material  110  comprises a rectangular shape. In certain embodiments, outer material  110  comprises a height between about 18 inches and about 29 inches. In certain embodiments, outer material  110  comprises a width between about 1½ inches and about 3 inches. In certain embodiments, outer material  110  comprises a thickness between about 1 inch and about 2 inches. In certain embodiments, fastener  130  comprises a standard fastener known to one skilled in the art such as a hook and look fastener, a teeth type fastener, and the like. 
         [0013]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , top slat protection device  140  comprises an outer material  120  and a fastener  122 . A user can wrap top slat protection device  140  around a top crib slat and secure top slat protection device  140  to the top crib slat using fastener  122 . In certain embodiments, outer material  120  comprises a cotton fabric material. In other embodiments, outer material  120  comprises a plastic material. In certain embodiments, outer material  120  comprises a rectangular shape. In certain embodiments, cuter material  120  comprises a height between about 18 inches and about 29 inches. In certain embodiments, outer material  120  comprises a width between about 1½ inches and about 3 inches. In certain embodiments, outer material  120  comprises a thickness between about 2½ inch and about 3½ inches. In certain embodiments, fastener  122  comprises a standard fastener known to one skilled in the art such as a hook and look fastener, a teeth type fastener, and the like. 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , side slat protection device  100  comprises an inner material  210 , a securing device  230 , and a fastener  130 . A user can wrap side slat protection device  100  around a crib slat and secure side slat protection device  100  to the crib slat using fastener  130 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , securing device  230  keeps side slat protection device  100  from slipping down a crib slat. In certain embodiments, inner material  210  comprises a cotton fiber material In other embodiments, inner material  210  comprises a plastic material. In certain embodiments, inner material  210  comprises a rectangular shape. In certain embodiments, inner material  210  comprises a height between about 18 inches and about 29 inches. In certain embodiments, inner material  210  comprises a width between about 1½ inches and about 3 inches. In certain embodiments, inner material  210  comprises a thickness between about 0.1 inch and about 1 inch. In certain embodiments, fastener  130  comprises a standard fastener known to one skilled in the art such as a hook and look fastener, a teeth type fastener, and the like. In certain embodiments, securing device  230  comprises a rigid material such as rubber. In certain embodiments, securing device  230  comprises a height between about 18 inches and about 29 inches, for example 24 inches. In certain embodiments, securing device  230  comprises a width between about 1 inch and about 3 inches, for example 2 inches. In certain embodiments, securing device  230  comprises a thickness between about 0.5 cm and about 1 cm. In certain embodiments, securing device  230  comprises a heat resistant material. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , top slat protection device  140  comprises an inner material  220  and a fastener  122 . A user can wrap top slat protection device  140  around a top crib slat and secure top slat protection device  140  to the top crib slat using fastener  122 . In certain embodiments, inner material  220  comprises a cotton fabric material. In other embodiments, inner material  220  comprises a plastic material. In certain embodiments, inner material  220  comprises a rectangular shape. In certain embodiments, inner material  220  comprises a height between about 18 inches and about 29 inches. In certain embodiments, inner material  220  comprises a width between about 1½ inches and about 3 inches. In certain embodiments, inner material  220  comprises a thickness between about 2.5 inches and about 3 inches. In certain embodiments, fastener  122  comprises a standard fastener known to one skilled in the art such as a hook and look fastener, a teeth type fastener, and the like. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top view of side slat protection device  100  is shown comprising outer material  110 , fastener  130 , and securing device  230 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a top view of top slat protection device  140  is shown comprising outer material  120 , fastener  122 , and inner material  220 . 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a bottom perspective view of top slat protection device  140  is shown comprising outer material  120 , inner material  220 , and fastener  122 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , top slat protection device  140  is shown in a closed position. A user will fasten top slat protection device  140  to the crib slats using fastener  122 . 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of side slat protection device  100  is shown comprising outer material  110 , inner material  210 , securing device  230 , and fastener  130 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , side slat protection device  100  is shown in a closed position. A user will fasten side slat protection device  100  to the crib slats using fastener  130 . Securing device  230  keeps protection device  100  from slipping down the crib slats. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a crib is shown using side slat protection device  100  and top slat protection device  140 . 
         [0020]    Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.