Abstract:
An inflatable and/or portable crib includes a base platform sized and configured to support a child, and inflatable side panels extending vertically from and surrounding the base platform. The base platform and side panels define an enclosure for the child, at least one of side panels having an outer inflatable frame surrounding a region configured to allow visibility within the enclosure.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    Portable cribs have been used for years and are extremely handy for occasional overnight trips, supervised naps in tight quarters, or even day trips to Grandma&#39;s house. A popular version of a portable crib has sides that are hinged so that upon folding, each side collapses into the end piece, which is constructed like one half of a suitcase. The end pieces are then latched together to provide a self-contained suitcase-like unit. Certain versions of this collapsible crib have the same folding mechanism as well as side panels provided with spring-loaded barrel bolts, which lock the respective sides in the open position when the crib is in use.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0002]    In one general aspect of the invention, a portable crib includes a base platform sized and configured to support a child, and inflatable side panels extending vertically from and surrounding the base platform. The base platform and side panels define an enclosure for the child, at least one of side panels having an outer inflatable frame surrounding a region configured to allow visibility within the enclosure.  
           [0003]    Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features.  
           [0004]    The region configured to allow visibility within the enclosure is formed of a woven mesh. Thus, a child placed within the crib can be assured to be well ventilated and visible to anyone monitoring the child. For example, the woven mesh is bonded to the outer inflatable frame (e.g., using heat sealing). Alternatively, the woven mesh is stitched to the outer inflatable frame using a binding tape positioned between the woven mesh and the outer inflatable frame. For example, stitching is provided between the binding tape and the woven mesh and between the binding tape and the outer inflatable frame.  
           [0005]    Each of the side panels are configured to be inflatable from a single valve. Alternatively, the side panels are individually inflatable so that the entire crib does not deflate in the even that one of the panels is punctured.  
           [0006]    In certain embodiments, the base platform is integral to the side panels. Alternatively, the base platform can be separate and removable unit allowing the platform to be easily assembled/disassembled and cleaned more easily. The base platform may be inflatable and may include elongated ribs. In other embodiments, the base platform can be in the form of a mesh.  
           [0007]    The base platform and side panels define a rectangular enclosure. The side panels have a lower end with a width greater than an upper end of the panels. That is, the side panels taper upwardly to provide a broader base for added stability. The side panels are configured to be inflated with air, although other inflation mediums may be used (e.g., water). The crib includes a pump to inflate the side panels and, if necessary, base platform.  
           [0008]    In general, the crib is lightweight and portable. Among other advantages, the crib is designed to be mechanically stable without the need for additional reinforcing structure. The side panels and bottom platform are formed of materials that are safe (e.g., non-toxic) and comfortable when inflated. The crib requires virtually no assembly other than inflating. When the crib is no longer required to be used, the air is simply released from the side panels by mechanical or manual methods (in certain embodiments from the bottom platform as well) and the crib is rolled into a compact lightweight package and stowed for later use.  
           [0009]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.  
           [0010]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable crib  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the inflatable crib showing the interface between the meshed netting and the air-filled chamber of the outer frame of the crib.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a plane view of the floor support member of the inflatable crib of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the floor support member of FIG. 2.  30  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an inflatable crib.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    Referring to FIG. 1, an inflatable crib  10  includes four inflatable side panels  12  attached at a lower end of the panels to a floor support  14 . The four inflatable side panels  12  and floor support together define an enclosed volume for enclosing a baby or young child. Each side panel has a height sufficient for preventing the child from escaping the enclosed volume when the panels are fully inflated. One of side panels  12  includes its own valve  16  for inflation and deflation. Side panel  12  is inflatable using a hand or foot pump  18 .  
         [0016]    Alternatively, the side panels can be inflated using an electrically powered pump (e.g., battery) or from the mouth of the assembler. In alternative embodiments, each of side panels  12  are individually inflatable.  
         [0017]    As shown in FIG. 1, pump  16  includes a bellows  20  that by alternate contraction and expansion draws air in through a pump valve (not shown) and expels it to valve  16  of a side panel  12  through a tube  22  having a nozzle  24 . The valve  16  is of the type having a stem that extends from the surface of the side panel during inflation and an open end for receiving a cap. The stem includes an internal flap that prevents air introduced into the chamber of the side panel from escaping. When the chamber is fully inflated, the stem is sealed with the cap and then pressed into the chamber of the side panel. To release the air from the chamber, the stem is withdrawn from the chamber, the cap removed, and the stem is squeezed to displace the internal flap sufficiently to allow air to escape. Other valve mechanisms for allowing quick release of air may be used as well. Valve  16  is positioned at the lower end of an outer surface of an associated side panel, where it is essentially inaccessible by a child in the crib.  
         [0018]    Each side panel is formed from a pair of adjacent sheets  26   a ,  26   b  formed of flocked polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other durable, but pliable material. The adjacent sheets are heat sealed at inner and outer peripheral regions to form seams  28  that define air-receiving chambers. The air-filled chambers form an outer frame that surrounds a mesh-like netting  30  formed of nylon for allowing air to pass through to the child in the enclosed volume as well as to provide visibility of the child within the enclosed volume. One approach for heat-sealing the air-filled chambers or tubes of the side panels is radio frequency (RF) heat-sealing. Referring to FIG. 2, in an alternative approach, one edge of a binding tape  34  is attached to an outer edge of mesh-like netting  30  and then folded over so that the opposite edge of the binding tape is attached to an inner edge of the mesh-like netting. A folded-over length of binding tape  36  is attached to the edge of the outer peripheral region  38  of the outer frame that is not inflated. Binding tapes  34 ,  36  are positioned overlap each other and a stitching  38  is then sewn through the tapes to secure the mesh-like netting and the outer frame together. In an alternate embodiment, the mesh-like netting  30  and the outer peripheral region  38  of the outer frame are sewn together with stitching and then covered with a binding tape to reinforce the stitching. In this example, each side panel  12  is trapezoidal in shape having a lower edge that is wider than an upper edge.  
         [0019]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, crib  10  also includes a separate inflatable cushion  40  formed of PVC and sized and shaped to cover floor support  14 . Cushion  40  is removable to make assembly/disassembly and cleaning easier. Cushion  40  includes heat sealed seams  42  that extend virtually the entire length of the cushion  40  to form a series of cylindrically shaped air compartments. Each of the cylindrically shaped compartments has at least one air passage connected to adjacent compartments to allow air to pass from one compartment to the other when air is introduced through a valve  44 .  
         [0020]    Other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 5, for example, the floor support of inflatable crib  50  can include a mesh floor  52  made from the same or similar material used for mesh netting  30 . In this version of an inflatable crib, the floor support weighs less and provides increased ventilation when compared with a solid floor support of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    In the embodiment described above in conjunction with FIGS.  1 - 4 , inflatable cushion  40  was separate from crib  10  allowing it to be removed and easily cleaned or replaced. In other embodiments, inflatable cushion, although separately inflatable, is attached or otherwise secured to the floor support  14 .  
         [0023]    In the embodiments described above, valve  16  was used to release the air from side panels  12 . As discussed above, in certain embodiments, each side panel is independently inflatable through its own valve  16 . In either embodiment, a separate opening or waste gate having, for example, a wider mouth, is provided to permit faster deflation of crib  10 .  
         [0024]    In the embodiments described above, air from the assembler&#39;s lungs or pump is used to inflate the compartments of the side panels and bottom cushion. In other embodiments, water or other fluids may be used to inflate the compartments.  
         [0025]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.