Abstract:
An inclined sleeper assembly for an infant intended to help reduce the risk of gastric and breathing complications in such infants during nursing and subsequent sleep cycles. The assembly provides a sleeping platform with a non-slip surface whose angle of inclination can be varied from the horizontal up to 30° or more of inclination. The infant may be placed on the sleep surface in a low inclination or horizontal configuration for the purposes of nursing and can then be elevated whereby the angle of inclination is increased without disturbing the infant who may have fallen asleep. The assembly includes a base frame preferably constructed of lightweight tubular material. A rigid platform is pivotally attached to the base frame along one edge in a manner that allows the platform to move from a position generally parallel with the base frame to a position of maximum inclination or any intermediate position between them. Supporting the platform in its inclined condition are a pair of slide rails or rods that are pivotally connected to the base frame at one end and slidingly engage two releasable clamps on an opposite end. The releasable clamp structure comprises a spring preferenced plate that extends between the sliding clamp enclosures surrounding each of the two slide rods. Rotating this plate against the spring re-orients apertures through which the slide rods pass in a manner that allows the rods to easily slide through. Allowing the spring to rotate the plate in the opposite direction closes the effective cross sections of the apertures in a manner that grips the sliding rods and prevents the clamps from moving. This permits the user to adjust the inclination of the sleep surface with very little disturbance to the infant positioned on the surface. Various alternate embodiments involving the non-slip surface described are also anticipated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to sleeping surfaces designed for infants. The present invention relates more specifically to an adjustable, variable angle inclined sleeping surface for infants, especially infants experiencing health related digestive and respiratory problems. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Young infants are prone to experience a variety of health related issues involving their newly formed digestive systems and respiratory systems. Infants that are born prematurely frequently suffer from gastric reflux conditions and the associated respiratory conditions. Premature infants that experience gastric reflux conditions also tend to be light sleepers. The combination of these two conditions makes it difficult for parents, especially breast feeding mothers, to obtain the necessary rest, both for the infant and the parents. 
         [0005]    Many parents decide to have the infant sleep near the mother, co-sleeping, as a partial solution to the problem. Co-sleeping allows the infant to fall asleep while nursing and permits the mother to remain stationary during this time. Problems arise in that, because of the reflux condition, it is better to feed the infant while he/she is sitting or lying at an inclined angle. This position allows gravity to assist the infant in keeping the milk down. The varying severity of the reflux condition requires that some infants be much closer to sitting upright than others. Of course, being very young infants, they are generally incapable of keeping themselves from sliding or moving on an inclined sleeping surface. 
         [0006]    Existing solutions to the problems presented by young infants with gastric and breathing complications have utilized inclined sleeping surfaces that incorporate some type of sling or harness to hold the infant in place. These solutions can be effective if the mother can manage to position the infant in the harness without waking him. The Velcro®, snaps, zippers, etc. have a tendency to wake light sleepers, not to mention the process of placing the infant into or extracting the infant from the harness arrangement. In addition, many of the existing solutions only allow for a few discreet inclined positions. While a horizontal position is the ideal for sleeping, infants with varying degrees of gastric reflux will require varying degrees of inclination to control the symptoms of the condition. The mechanisms associated with many of the existing devices that allow adjustability in the incline also tend to be noisy, cumbersome, complicated, and prone to breakage. 
         [0007]    It would be desirable, therefore, to have a device capable of supporting a young infant on an inclined surface so as to reduce the effects experienced with gastric complications and breathing complications. It would be desirable to have a surface that could easily adjust from a fully horizontal position to an inclined position in a manner that did not require the removal of the young infant from the inclined surface. In this manner, it would be possible for a mother nursing her young infant to allow the infant to fall asleep while nursing while situated next to the infant on a bed or the like. Once the young infant was asleep after nursing, the inclined surface could be elevated to a position that helped prevent the occurrence of gastric and breathing difficulties. There are also situations where the mother must (or would prefer to) nurse the infant in an inclined position. In some such cases, it would be desirable for the sleeping surface to be lowered to a horizontal, or nearer to horizontal, position, perhaps after some time has passed since feeding and falling asleep. It would be desirable if such a device did not require the use of harnesses or other specialized clothing that would require manipulating the young infant to the extent that he or she would likely be wakened with such movement. It would be preferable for the surface of the device to be non-slip in character so as to generally prevent the young infant from sliding down the surface even at a maximum inclination. Most importantly, the mechanism for adjusting the inclination of the surface should operate smoothly so as to not agitate the young infant while sleeping and yet remain very secure in its placement at a number of positions from the horizontal to the maximum inclination. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides an infant sleeping surface having a variable incline angle and a surface that reduces the tendency of the infant to slide. The present invention does away with slings and harnesses to support the infant, and instead provides a surface that helps maintain the infant in place. The surface comprises a celluloid rubber-type mat, much like that used to keep rugs from moving on hard floors. This material is effective in keeping the infant from sliding down the sleeping surface, even in a steep inclination range. The range for the present invention is from a horizontal inclination to approximately 45° from the horizontal. (The maximum angle of inclination is primarily dictated by the point at which the infant would struggle excessively to hold its head in place.) In this manner, the infant may be repositioned as needed without the necessity of removing or modifying straps, buttons, or Velcro® closures. 
         [0009]    The mechanism of the present invention for varying the inclined angle for the sleeper includes a pair of support posts, one positioned on each side of the sleeping surface. These posts pivot on a base frame for the sleeping surface and slide in a gripping mechanism positioned along the top edge of the sleeping surface. The two posts extend through holes in a plate that is pivotally attached to the sleeping surface. This plate is rotated by springs that change the effective diameter of the plate&#39;s holes, thereby trapping the posts by friction and not allowing the sleeping surfaces angle to change. To effect a change in the inclination of the sleeping surface, the user simply moves the plate against the springs so that the holes are once again approximately parallel to the posts. This allows the posts to slide through the holes and change the angle of inclination. 
         [0010]    An alternative design of the present invention would eliminate the mechanism for varying the inclination and would use other objects, such as pillows, blankets, towels, etc. placed under the support structure to achieve the desired inclination. In this instance the inclined sleeper would simply be a board with the gripping material positioned on top. In another alternative design, the gripping material could be changed to any of a number of fabrics or materials with coefficients of friction high enough to maintain the infant in an upright position on the sleeping surface. Such materials could include neoprene, unidirectional velour, textured plastic, textured rubber, etc. It is also possible to utilize a variety of new low grip mating materials such as quiet Velcro® type materials. In this instance, the infant&#39;s clothes might be made from one of the two gripping materials, and the bedding from its complimentary material. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view from the front of the sleeper assembly of the present invention shown in a fully elevated (inclined) position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view from the rear of the sleeper assembly of the present invention, again shown in a fully elevated (inclined) position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a detailed isometric view of the top edge of the sleeper assembly disclosing the mechanism for elevating and lowering the inclined surface. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view from the rear of the components shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front plane view of the sleeper assembly of the present invention, again in a fully elevated (inclined) position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of the sleeper assembly of the present invention, again in a fully elevated (inclined) position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along section line A-A in  FIG. 5  of the sliding catch sub-assembly of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a detailed side plan view (detail B shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the base pivot assembly of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line C-C in  FIG. 5  of the sleeper assembly of the present invention in a fully elevated (inclined) position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Reference is first made to  FIG. 1  for a brief description of the basic components of a first preferred embodiment of the complete infant sleeper assembly of the present invention. Sleeper assembly  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  in a fully elevated or maximally inclined position. The primary components of assembly  10  include platform sub-assembly  12 , base frame  14 , and left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  and  16   b  (left slide sub-assembly  16   a  not visible in  FIG. 1 ). Platform sub-assembly  12  supports sleep surface  18  and extends from a pivoting connection on base frame  14  to a slide connection on left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  (not visible in  FIG. 1) and 16   b.  A sleep surface retention sub-assembly  22  is positioned at the upper end of platform sub-assembly  12 . The manner in which sleep surface  18  is retained along its upper edge to platform sub-assembly  12  is described in more detail below. Sleep surface  18  is supported on platform sub-assembly  12  by way of backboard  26 . The support components for backboard  26  are described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 2  which shows the same structures from a reverse view. 
         [0021]    Left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  (not visible in  FIG. 1) and 16   b  extend from left and right base pivot assemblies  24   a  (not visible in  FIG. 1) and 24   b  up to left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b.  The detailed structures of these assemblies are described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0022]    Sleeper assembly  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1  may be used in conjunction with any flat support surface, such as a mattress or the like, by placement of base frame  14  on such a support surface and initially inclining sleep surface  18  at the required angle. As indicated above, it may be preferable to incline sleep surface  18  at no angle or only a slight angle during the nursing of the infant positioned on the sleeper assembly. After nursing, and typically after the infant has fallen asleep, sleep surface  18  may be raised to a greater inclination in a manner that helps the infant more easily retain the nursed milk. Movement of the inclined sleep surface  18  from a generally horizontal or no inclination position to an inclined position is accomplished by hand rotating release lever  34  in a manner that simultaneously releases both left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  (not visible in  FIG. 1) and 16   b.  This process allows left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  to slide upward along left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  (not visible in  FIG. 1) and 16   b  and in the process allows the upper edge of platform sub-assembly  12  to pivot upward away from base frame  14 . The operation of sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  is sufficiently smooth as to reduce the risk that an infant placed on sleep surface  18  will be woken by either the release and engagement of the mechanism or the sliding adjustment of the inclination of the assembly. As mentioned above, it is not always preferred (or even possible) to nurse with the sleep surface in a horizontal position and then incline the surface for sleeping. In some cases, parents may feed the infant in an inclined position and then lower the surface to a horizontal position after the infant has slept for some time (getting past the threat of reflux). 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a view from the rear of sleeper assembly  10  of the present invention, again in a fully elevated or fully inclined condition. In this view, base frame  14  is shown to support left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  and  16   b  at left and right base pivot assemblies  24   a  and  24   b.  Platform sub-assembly  12 , in this view, can be seen as including a frame of components that support backboard  26 . Left and right backboard side braces  28   a  and  28   b  are disclosed with backboard cross-brace  32  connecting the two approximately midway along the length of backboard  26 . Left and right pivoting platform/base hinge points  38   a  and  38   b  connect base frame  14  with left and right backboard side braces  28   a  and  28   b  as shown, and preferably include Teflone bushings or the like in association with bolts and lock nuts to secure the hinge in place for pivoting. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, base frame  14  and the above described components of platform sub-assembly  12  may be constructed of thin-walled metal or plastic rigid tubing. The ends and edges of these frame components should be free from sharp corners or sharp edges. Backboard  26  may be constructed of any of a number of different rigid planar materials that may be attached to the frame components ( 28   a,    28   b,  and  32 ) of platform sub-assembly  12 . One-quarter inch fiber press board coated and/or sealed would provide a suitable material for backboard  26  to provide a platform to position sleeping surface  18 . 
         [0025]    Also shown in  FIG. 2  are more details of left and right slide sub-assemblies  16   a  and  16   b.  In this view, these assemblies are seen to comprise left and right slide rods  36   a  and  36   b  that extend from left and right base pivots  24   a  and  24   b.  Sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  are operably connected by release lever  34 . The detailed function and structure of left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  is described further below. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  provides a front detailed view of the manner in which left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  are operable. In addition, this view shows the manner in which sleep surface  18  is retained in position on backboard  26  along the upper edge thereof. Sleep surface retention sub-assembly  22  includes retention bar  40 , which in the preferred embodiment is a cylindrical rod that extends through a tubular construction made from, for example, an extension of the fabric cover associated with sleep surface  18 . The ends of retention bar  40  are exposed as shown and are placed into and retained by left and right retention clips  42   a  and  42   b.  This arrangement allows sleep surface  18  to be removed from the sleeper assembly  10  for the purpose of either exchanging the sleep surface or washing the surface or the surface fabric material. 
         [0027]    Left and right slide rods  36   a  and  36   b  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  each extend through left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  respectively, and by way of the mechanisms contained in sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  and release lever  34 , are held tightly within the assemblies, or are released (in the manner described above) such that the inclination of the sleeping surface may be altered. Left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  are generally constructed from left and right slide sleeves  46   a  and  46   b  as well as left and right slide inserts  49   a  and  49   b.  Slide rods  36   a  and  36   b  each are terminated by left and right slide stops  44   a  and  44   b  respectively. These slide stops  44   a  and  44   b  not only cap the end of slide rods  36   a  and  36   b,  but also provide an appropriate stop mechanism to terminate the range of motion for the inclined surface. 
         [0028]    The view in  FIG. 4  discloses many of the same components as disclosed and described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . In this view, backboard  26 , frame components  28   a  and  28   b,  and the manner in which they connect to sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  are disclosed in more detail. Left and right slide pivot shafts  48   a  and  48   b  are shown to provide the pivoting connection between left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  and left and right backboard side braces  28   a  and  28   b.  Release lever  34  is once again shown to extend between left and right sliding catch sub-assemblies  20   a  and  20   b  in a manner that allows the user to simultaneously release both sliding catch sub-assemblies by rotating release lever  34 . 
         [0029]    Reference is made briefly to  FIGS. 5 and 6  as reference figures for the detailed views shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 . The detailed cross-sectional view of left sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b  (for example) is taken along cross-section line A-A shown in  FIG. 5 . A detailed side view of left base pivot assembly  24   b  (for example) is taken from detailed location B shown in  FIG. 6 . Finally, the cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 9 , which details not only the general structure of the sleeper assembly  10 , but also the cross-sectional structure of the platform sub-assembly  12 , is taken along section line C-C in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0030]    As mentioned above,  FIG. 7  shows, in cross-sectional detail, the internal structure of left sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b.  It is understood that the internal structure of sliding catch sub-assembly  20   a  is a mirror image of the assembly shown and discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 7 . Slide rod  36   b  extends up through sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b  and is terminated by slide stop  44   b.  In the preferred embodiment, slide stop  44   b  may simply be a rigid sphere (such as hard plastic or wood) with an aperture suitable for receiving and retaining the upper end of slide rod  36   b.  Sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b  is generally constructed from slide sleeve  46   b  and slide insert  49   b.  Slide sleeve  46   b  is structured with a lip so as to retain one edge of release lever  34 , and thereby provide a pivot point for the rotational movement of release lever  34  under the influence of catch spring  50   b.  Catch spring  50   b  is positioned between slide insert  49   b  and release lever  34 . In this manner, release lever  34  is preferenced upward, away from slide insert  49   b  in a manner that rotates the aperture opening through which slide rod  36   b  extends at an increased angle. The aperture in release lever  34 , through which slide rod  36   b  extends, is sized to just accommodate slide rod  36   b  when the top plane of release lever  34  is positioned orthogonal to the axis of slide rod  36   b.  When release lever  34  is rotated at an angle, the effective diameter of the aperture is reduced, thereby gripping opposing side surfaces of slide rod  36   b,  and retaining it in a fixed position with respect to release lever  34 . As weight on the sleeping surface increases, the engagement force between release lever  34  and slide rod  36   b  also increases. Subsequent rotation of release lever  34 , as by pressure against catch spring  50   b,  serves to release sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b  from its frictional engagement with slide rod  36   b.    
         [0031]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 8  for a detailed description of base pivot  24   b  of the present invention. It is understood that base pivot  24   a  is a mirror image of the components and structures shown in  FIG. 8 . Base frame  14  is fitted with a base pivot clip  54   b  as shown. Fixed stay point  56   b  positions and retains base pivot clip  54   b  stationary on base frame  14 . Pivoting stay point  58   b  extends through base pivot clip  54   b  and further through slide base connector  52   b.  Slide base connector  52   b  is free to pivot with respect to pivoting stay point  58   b.  Slide rod  36   b  is centrally attached to slide base connector  52   b  in a manner that allows the two components to pivot together. Left and right base pivot assemblies  24   a  and  24   b  may be structured over a range of positions on base frame  14  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in a manner that might advantageously alter the geometry of the overall sleeper assembly  10  without departing from the spirit and function of the design. 
         [0032]    Reference is finally made to  FIG. 9  for a description of the structural details of backboard  26  as part of platform sub-assembly  12 , as well as the details of sleep surface  18  and its attachment to backboard  26 . In this view, right platform/base hinge point  38   b  is clearly seen as the connection between backboard side brace  28   b  and base frame  14 . Slide pivot shaft  48   b  is seen as the pivoting connection between backboard side brace  28   b  and sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b.  In this manner, sliding catch sub-assembly  20   b  may slide along slide sub-assembly  16   b  from its fully elevated or inclined position to a fully lowered or horizontal position. Backboard side brace  28   b  is connected to the opposing side brace  28   a  (not shown) by way of backboard cross brace  32 . It is understood that slide sub-assembly  16   a,  sliding catch sub-assembly  20   a,  base pivot assembly  24   a,  backboard side brace  28   a,  platform/base hinge point  38   a,  slide pivot shaft  48   a,  and pivoting stay point  58   a,  are all mirror images of the corresponding components and structures shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0033]    Sleep surface retention sub-assembly  22  is seen in cross-section at the top edge of backboard  26 . As it is described above, backboard  26  is positioned and permanently retained on the framework comprising backboard side brace  28   b  and backboard cross brace  32 . Removably attached to backboard  26  is sleep surface  18  by way of sleep surface retention sub-assembly  22  as described above. Seen in this view, as also seen in  FIG. 7 , is the manner of retaining retention bar  40  in the appropriately configured retention clips  42   b  on sleeper assembly  10 . Also as indicated above, a fabric cylinder may be sewn to receive this rod and allow for the complete removal of sleep surface  18  from the sleeper assembly  10  as necessary. 
         [0034]    Sleep surface  18  is constructed around sleeping pad insert  19 , which may be a thin, open cell foam insert to provide some cushioning to the sleep surface. The fabric surrounding this sleeping pad insert  19  may be any of a number of different non-slip materials, as discussed above. These materials may be sewn to form an envelope or pocket into which sleeping pad insert  19  may be inserted or removed for the purpose of cleaning, both the fabric and the insert, as needed. 
         [0035]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the structures described herein and the drawing figures relating to these descriptions are intended primarily to clarify the functional aspects of each of the components of the present invention rather than to limit their structures. The configurations and structures associated with the actual product constructed according to the present invention will likely have more ergonomic shapes and surfaces to accommodate the infant nursing purposes of the invention. As an example, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed as being configured in a generally rectangular form, it is anticipated that rounded corners will likely provide a more suitable environment for placement of the nursing infant. Likewise, the various bolts, nuts and other attachment devices described in conjunction with the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be covered, protected, or otherwise prevented from exposing sharp edges or breakable components. In a similar manner, variations on the method for attaching sleep surface  18  to backboard  26  are anticipated and include the integration of a second pocket (where, for example, sleep surface  18  is constructed of fabric material) along an upper edge thereof that would fit over the top edge of backboard  26  and backboard side braces  28   a  and  28   b.    
         [0036]    Alternative embodiments of the present invention focus on modifications to the manner in which the young infant is retained upon the inclined surface through its full range of variable inclinations. As stated above, one primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for any type of harness or other specialized clothing that the infant must wear in order to utilize the sleeper assembly. Alternative embodiments of the present invention, however, may include matching the surface of sleep surface  18  with the fabric of clothing worn by the young infant utilizing the sleeper assembly. Certain fabric materials which may easily accommodate the construction of infant sleepwear could be preferable when used in conjunction with certain cover fabric material utilized with the sleep surface. Other fabric materials for enclosing the sleep surface of the present invention may be utilized which have been shown to grip any of the most commonly used fabrics in the construction of infant clothing, especially sleepwear. As indicated above, certain types of material such as the synthetic material used to prevent the slippage of rugs on hard floors and the like, may be constructed into the pocket mentioned above for insertion of the sleeping pad cushion and thereby provide the necessary non-slip surface for most all types of infant clothing. 
         [0037]    There are specific methods of using the assembly of the present invention that are to be anticipated given the functional descriptions of the assembly components. One such method has been described wherein the mother nursing the infant might position the infant on a horizontally positioned (no inclination) sleeper assembly and then position the assembly with the infant thereon next to her on the surface of a bed. It may be desirable and appropriate to loosely position blankets and/or pillows adjacent to the sleeper assembly to allow the mother to lie comfortably next to the infant while the infant is positioned on the assembly. As soon as the infant has been nursed and has fallen asleep, the padding materials may be gently removed to allow the sleeper assembly to be inclined to an inclination more appropriate for promoting the retention of milk by the infant. 
         [0038]    Alternatively, the infant may be placed on an already inclined sleeper assembly if the mother herself is propped up and positioned appropriately on pillows, blankets, or other objects. In such circumstances, the non-slip surface material associated with the present invention becomes the important factor in allowing the infant to be retained on the inclined surface while not being disturbed if the infant falls asleep during nursing. In any event, it is the combination of the non-slip support surface provided by the present invention, with the adjustable inclination features of the invention that provides a versatile inclined infant sleeper system that addresses many of the problems associated with infants subject to gastric reflux conditions and the associated respiratory conditions that complicate sinus/phlegm drainage. 
         [0039]    As indicated above, a further alternative embodiment of the present invention eliminates the mechanism for varying the inclination and relies instead upon other objects, such as pillows, blankets, towels, etc. placed under the support structure to achieve the desired inclination. In this alternative embodiment, the inclined sleeper would simply be comprised of the primary components of platform sub-assembly  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 , namely; sleep surface  18  (with sleeping pad insert  19  as shown in  FIG. 9 ); sleep surface retention sub-assembly  22  (comprising retention bar  40  and left and right retention clips  42   a  and  42   b  as shown in  FIG. 3 ); and backboard  26 . Variations on the material associated with the sleep surface in this alternative embodiment would be the same as those associated with the first preferred embodiment described above. 
         [0040]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications of the present invention that might accommodate infants of specific age and/or size (weight), or which might accommodate variations in sleeping environments. Such modifications as to structure, orientation geometry, and even materials, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.