Patent Publication Number: US-7584514-B1

Title: Foldable infant sleeping apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an infant sleeping enclosure that can attach securely to an adult bed. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention features an infant sleeping apparatus for providing an infant sleeping enclosure that can rest on top of a mattress. The infant sleeping apparatus comprises an enclosure component having an open top, a base, a front rail, a back rail, a first side rail and a second side rail. The infant sleeping apparatus further comprises a mattress securing mechanism comprising one or more U-shaped support bars attached to the base of the enclosure for sliding the enclosure onto a mattress. 
   The infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention provides an enclosed sleeping area for attaching to a bed so that an infant can rest next to his/her mother and/or father and/or caretaker. The infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention also prevents an adult from rolling on to the infant while he/she is sleeping and prevents the infant from rolling off of the bed. 
   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 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention, wherein the infant sleeping apparatus is attached to a mattress. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention, wherein the infant sleeping apparatus is attached to a mattress. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention, wherein the infant sleeping apparatus is moved from a folded storage position and an unfolded position. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a carrying case for the infant sleeping apparatus of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , the present invention features an infant sleeping apparatus  100  for providing a sleeping enclosure that can rest on a top  501  of a mattress  500 . The infant sleeping apparatus  100  comprises an enclosure component having an open top, a base  200 , a front rail  250 , a back rail  260 , a first side rail  270 , and a second side rail  280 . The infant sleeping apparatus  100  further comprises a mattress securing mechanism comprising one or more generally U-shaped support bars  300 . Each support bar  300  has a first leg  301 , a second leg  302 , and a connecting bar  305 , wherein the first leg  301  has a first end  311  and a second end  312 , wherein the second leg  302  has a first end  321  and a second end  322 , and the connecting bar  305  has a first end  351  and a second end  352 . The second end  312  of the first leg  301  is attached to the first end  351  of the connecting bar  350  and the second end  322  of the second leg  302  is attached to the second end  352  of the connecting bar  305  (see  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ). 
   The first end  311  of the first leg  301  is pivotally attached to the base  300  of the enclosure component via a hinge mechanism  400 . This allows the infant sleeping apparatus  100  to move between a folded storage position and an unfolded position. In the folded storage position, the second leg  302  can be pivoted over the enclosure component via the hinge mechanism  400  such that it rests atop the front rail  250 . In the unfolded position, the support bars  300  can be attached to a side  505  of the mattress  500  such that the enclosure component rests on the top  501  of the mattress  500  (see  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ). 
   In some embodiments, the support bar  300  (e.g., second leg  302 ) is inserted between the mattress  500  and the box spring  550  of the bed (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   In some embodiments, an infant mattress, a blanket, the like, or a combination thereof is placed on top of the base  200  of the enclosure component for providing the infant a comfortable sleeping environment. 
   The infant sleeping apparatus  100  of the present invention may be constructed from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the infant sleeping apparatus  100  is constructed from material comprising a plastic, a rubber, a metal, the like, or a combination thereof. 
   In some embodiments, the infant sleeping device further comprises a carrying case  800  for storing the infant sleeping device  100  when not in use (see  FIG. 6 ). 
   The infant sleeping apparatus  100  of the present invention may be constructed in a variety of shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, the enclosure component is rectangular, square, circular, oval, the like, or a combination thereof. 
   As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the enclosure component is about 15 inches wide includes an enclosure component that is between 13.5 and 16.5 inches wide. 
   In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 8 to 12 inches long as measured from the front rail to the back rail. In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 12 to 15 inches long as measured from the front rail to the back rail. In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 15 to 20 inches long as measured from the front rail to the back rail. In some embodiments, the enclosure i component s between about 20 to 30 inches long as measured from the front rail to the back rail. 
   In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 8 to 12 inches wide as measured from the first side rail to the second side rail. In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 12 to 15 inches wide as measured from the first side rail to the second side rail. In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 15 to 20 inches wide as measured from the first side rail to the second side rail. In some embodiments, the enclosure component is between about 20 to 30 inches wide as measured from the first side rail to the second side rail. 
   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.