Abstract:
Flexible cushions include structures configured to secure to a mattress or other sleeping surface, permitting cushion re-shaping to divide or otherwise configure a sleeping space. Cushions join to the mattress via an L-shaped plate that seats against a side an under a bottom of the mattress. The cushion is supported by the L-shaped plate, which may extend inside the cushion or otherwise mate with a flexible shaping pipe in the cushion. The flexible pipe in the cushion allows the cushion to be shaped in any fashion with sufficient human force while retaining its shape when slept on. The L-shaped plate is joined to an opposite latch plate that secures to an opposite side of the mattress by an adjustable belt that runs between the L-shaped plate and latch plate. The belt may run under the mattress and join to any number of structures.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, and is a continuation of, co-pending International Application PCT/JP2013/068983, filed Jul. 11, 2013 and designating the U.S., which claims priority to Japanese Application 2013-003805 filed Jul. 3, 2013. These Japanese and International Applications are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Co-sleeping is recognized as an important physical contact that allows an infant to psychologically grow. The co-sleeping that allows such an effect is typically conducted by putting a baby in the bed of a co-sleeper or neighbor to a co-sleeper. Further, the co-sleeping may be conducted by placing a bed of the co-sleeper neighbor to a baby-bed so that the co-sleeper tips the bar that surrounds the baby bed neighbor to the bed of the co-sleeper so as to lean out of the bed to comfort the baby. Further, a co-sleeping method may be conducted by placing a so-called co-sleeping bed that is surrounded by three sides except the side of the foot on the bed so that adults let the baby sleep inside the bed for adults. 
     For example, Japanese Utility model Publication No. 3126368 published Apr. 10, 2006, incorporated herein in its entirety, discloses a cushion used at the abdomen or back of the mother for breast-feeding during co-sleeping for the baby, and Japanese Utility model Publication No. 3079794 published Jun. 13, 2001, incorporated herein in its entirety, discloses a mat used for arm pillow during co-sleeping with a baby. The side of the mat for a head of the baby leans upward while a concave portion is provided in which an arm is placed for arm pillow. 
     SUMMARY 
     Example embodiments include specially-shaped cushions for co-sleeping among several laying humans. Example embodiment cushions include a latch plate coupled with a belt and L-shaped plate. A cushion including a bendable pipe or other shape-retaining structure is supported on the L-shaped plate, allowing the cushion to be fashioned into any desired shape on the L-shaped plate. Several of the L-shaped plates may be used in connection with a single cushion, and the belt may be adjustable to accommodate several plates and various cushion shapes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will become more apparent by describing, in detail, the attached drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the example embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cushion for co-sleeping according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a description figure of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping. 
         FIG. 3  is a description figure of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping. 
         FIG. 4  is a description figure of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view indicating usage state of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping. 
         FIG. 6  is a right side view of the of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a plan bottom view of the of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8A  is an example embodiment cushion in a straight shape. 
         FIG. 8B  is an example embodiment cushion in a U-shape. 
         FIG. 8C  is an example embodiment cushion bent by 90-degrees. 
         FIG. 8D  is an example embodiment cushion in an S-shape. 
         FIG. 8E  is an example embodiment cushion in a circular shape. 
         FIG. 8F  is an example embodiment cushion in a circular shape. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example embodiment latch plate. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an example embodiment L-shaped plate. 
         FIG. 11A  is an elevation view of an example embodiment cushion cover. 
         FIG. 11B  is a plan top view of an example embodiment cushion cover. 
         FIG. 11C  is a right side view of an example embodiment cushion cover. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example embodiment cushion cover. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example embodiment cushion cover. 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view of A-A line section of the example embodiment cushion cover of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This is a patent document, and general broad rules of construction should be applied when reading it. Everything described and shown in this document is an example of subject matter falling within the scope of the claims, appended below. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely for purposes of describing how to make and use example embodiments. Several different embodiments not specifically disclosed herein may fall within the claim scope; as such, the claims may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only example embodiments set forth herein. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that when element(s) are referred to in relation to one another, such as being “connected,” “coupled,” ″mated,″ ″attached,″ or ″fixed″ to another element(s), the relationship can be direct or with other intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “connected” for communications purposes includes all variations of information exchange routes between two devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” are intended to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise with terms like “only a single element.” It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, values, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It should also be noted that the structures and operations discussed below may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures. For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individual operations within example methods described below may be executed repetitively, individually or sequentially, so as to provide looping or other series of operations. It should be presumed that any embodiment having features and functionality described below, in any workable combination, falls within the scope of example embodiments. 
     The inventors have recognized that existing systems of co-sleeping carry a risk of crushing death or choking death due to rolling over during co-sleeping. For fear of such a risk, a co-sleeper may be unable to sleep or to sleep for a sufficient time. During co-sleeping on a bed, a baby may roll over and fall from the bed. Placing a baby-bed next to or in the bed of the co-sleeper may requires a large room, and may present an uneven sleeping surface and thus the co-sleeper may uncomfortably feel or lay on the uneven surface. Such a co-sleeping bed generally cannot be used for purposes other than co-sleeping. Example embodiments described below uniquely solve these and other newly-recognized problems by providing a co-sleeping cushion that prevents accidents of crushing death or choking death during co-sleeping, is capable of being used for preventing babies from fallout, and/or is also capable of being used for assistance for sitting up as well as securing safety during co-sleeping. 
     The present invention is a supported cushion that permits safe and configurable co-sleeping among several humans. In contrast to the present invention, the few example embodiments and example methods discussed below illustrate just a subset of the variety of different configurations that can be used as and/or in connection with the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example embodiment cushion for co-sleeping. A planar latch plate  10  is coupled with an L-shape plate  20  via a belt member  30 . This L-shape plate  20  supports a cushion member  40 . 
       FIG. 5  is an elevation view indicating an example embodiment.  FIG. 6  is a right side view of the same.  FIG. 7  is a plan bottom view of the same. As depicted, the cushion for co-sleeping is used in the form as follows: the belt member  30  intermediates between a bottom  2  and a mattress  3  that constructs a bed  1 ; the latch plate  10  is locked by the mattress  3  and the bottom  2 ; and the L-shaped plate  20  is supported at the position contacting a side of the mattress  3  opposite to the side of the latch plate  10  locked. Then, the L-shaped plate  20  supports the cushion member  40  placed on the mattress  3 . 
       FIGS. 2-4  are description figures indicating an example embodiment.  FIG. 2  indicates a state that the cushion member  40  is bent in the form of U-shape (like the Japanese letter “ko”) so that one side of it is supported by L-shaped plate  20 . When a baby is put inside the cushion member  40  in the form of U-shape, the cushion member  40  works as a barrier and thus prevents problems that the co-sleeper covers the baby by rolling over and/or the hand of the co-sleeper covers the mouth of the baby. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a state that the cushion member  40  is formed straightforward and placed on the side of the mattress  3 .  FIG. 4  depicts a state that the cushion member  40  is bent by 90 degrees and placed on the corner of the mattress  3 . Placing the cushion  40  on the mattress  3  in this formation to form a wall makes it possible to prevent a baby from fallout from the bed. 
     Inside the cushion member  40 , a bendable pipe  41  is enclosed. Thus, the cushion member  40  may be bent in various forms as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8F . Formation in straightforward as shown in  FIG. 8A , formation in U-shape as shown in  FIG. 8B , formation bent by  90  degrees as shown in  FIG. 8C , formation in S-shape as shown in  FIG. 8D , formation in a circular shape so that an inclined surface comes to an inner circumference as shown in  FIG. 8E , and formation in a circular shape so that an inclined surface comes to an outer circumference as shown in  FIG. 8F  are possible, allowing usage as a toy or for assistance for sitting-in of the baby. 
     As described, example embodiments make it possible to provide a space that secures a safe sleeping environment for infants. An example embodiment co-sleeping cushion is mainly comprised of a latch plate  10 , an L-shaped plate  20 , a belt member  30  and a cushion member  40  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  indicates the latch plate  10  that penetrates the belt member  30  into the center of a planar bar member, having two holes  11  for coupling with the belt member  30 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an L-shaped plate  20  provided with two holes  22  in which the belt member  30  is inserted into one side portion  21  which is a bar member bent in the form of L-shaped, to couple with the belt member  30 . Although three L-shaped members  20  are used in  FIG. 1 , the embodiment is not limited to this number and one or more members may be used depending on the shape of the cushion  40 . 
     The belt member  30  may be one string body or branched as shown in  FIG. 1 . At any rate, it may be branched depending on the number of L-shaped member  20  and may be branched depending on the number of latch plate  10  on the side of coupling with the latch plate  10  although not depicted. Further, an adjuster  31  intermediates in the belt member  30  to allow the length of the belt member adjustable according to the width of a mattress. 
     The cushion member  40  is comprised of a cushion  41 , a cushion cover  42  that accommodates the cushion  41 , a bendable pipe  43  equipped in the cushion  41 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cushion cover.  FIG. 14  is a sectional view of A-A line section. Two members of the cushion  41   a  and the cushion  41   b  are overlaid in an upward/downward direction to form a substantially triangular section as a whole. Then, the bendable pipe  43  intermediates between the cushion  41   a  and the cushion  41   b . Of course, this is only an example and it is possible to form the cushion as one body and provide a long hole in which the bendable pipe is inserted. 
     The bendable pipe  43  should be strong enough to maintain the shape of bending when the cushion  41  is bent. For example, the metallic flexible pipe may be used. 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  depicts elevation views of the cushion cover.  FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of a cushion cover. The cushion cover  42  is formed to be similar to the outline of the cushion  41 . One side  42   d  of the cushion cover  42  is formed openable to accommodate the cushion  41  and has fasteners  42   a  on both edges. Meanwhile, bottom sides  42   b  do not have fasters because L-shaped plates  20  should be inserted. A planar fastener  42   e  is provided with a piece of patch  42   c  is extended from the bottom side  42   b  and is used to contact a planar fastener  42   f  provided in the side  42   d . When using, the cushion  41  is accommodated in the cushion cover  42  and the piece of patch  42   c  is closed. Then, the side  42   d  is put on them and the planar fasteners  42   e  and  42   f  are connected so that the state of closing is maintained and the fastener  42   a  is closed further. At this time, an L-shaped plate  20  is inserted in the space between the piece of patch  42   c  and the side  42   d.    
     The method of supporting the cushion member  40  by the L-shaped plate  20  is only one example. As long as the cushion member  40  can be supported, an arbitrary way may be adopted. 
     Some example embodiments and methods being described here and in the incorporated documents, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments may be varied through routine experimentation and without further inventive activity. For example, although example embodiments describe a bendable pipe it is understood that any flexible, shape-retaining structures is included within the meaning of such a pipe. Variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.