Patent Publication Number: US-2015059089-A1

Title: Portable Cot Apparatus for Hands and Legs Free Inflight Sleeping

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/871,060, filed Aug. 28, 2013, entitled “Portable Cot Apparatus for Hands and Legs Free Inflight Sleeping,” which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates in general to cots, and more specifically to portable and foldable cots that can be used for inflight sleeping. 
     2. Background Information 
     For families traveling with babies, long domestic or international flights may be somewhat uncomfortable. In particular, parents traveling with a baby may have a difficult time or may struggle when trying to get some sleep for themselves and for the baby. Generally, during long flights, families may have the options of holding the baby in their laps or buy an additional seat. In the first scenario, holding the baby during long periods of time may be challenging and may require the constant use of the parent&#39;s hands and legs, thereby interfering with sleep. The latter scenario may require the use of a special infant seat that may be difficult to carry during the trip and may not appropriately fit some airplane seats. 
     Feasible solutions for this problem may be limited. Certain airplane models may include a foldable basket or table where the baby can be changed or can sleep, but this feature may be limited to certain airplane models and only 2 or 3 seats of this type may be available. Conventional portable cots, in the other hand, may not exhibit suitable dimensions for fitting airplanes seats, and they may be too big or heavy to carry and difficult to assemble. 
     What is needed is a portable and foldable cot apparatus that may provide assistance for inflight sleeping, while suitably fitting the dimensions and form of airplane seats. What is also needed is a portable and foldable cot apparatus that is easy to carry in a fully-folded orientation, and that can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. 
     SUMMARY 
     A portable and foldable cot apparatus that provides assistance for inflight sleeping is disclosed. According to an embodiment, this cot apparatus may include a frame structure, a platform, and two legs. The frame structure may include a plurality of connectors and rails for enclosing the platform, while providing suitable tension to the platform. The legs may sit on the cabin floor and may support the frame structure, which can be subsequently positioned over the arms of an airplane seat. At this assembled and in-use orientation, the platform enclosed by the frame structure may function as a resting area where a baby can be laid down for conformable rest or sleep. The structural design of support legs, frame, and platform may be configured to suitably support the weight and height of the baby. 
     The frame structure may include front and back rails, two side rails, corner connectors, coupling connectors and tee connectors, where tee connectors may be coupled to the front rail through the coupling connectors and may also receive the support legs. Suitable materials for frame structure components and support legs may include plastic and aluminum, while the platform may include flexible materials such canvas, nylon, and the like. 
     According to embodiments described herein, the cot apparatus can be collapsed to a pre-folded orientation by detaching the side rails and support legs from the corner connectors and tee connectors respectively. The detached side rails and support legs can be placed within the flexible platform which can be subsequently folded and rolled-up to configure the cot apparatus in a fully-folded orientation. Cot apparatus in fully-folded orientation may be easily carried as a bag or carry-on luggage that may suitability fit in the airplane&#39;s storage compartments. 
     In other embodiments, the length of support legs in cot apparatus may be adjusted according to the distance between the arms of the airplane seat and the cabin floor, allowing cot apparatus to fit airplane seats of different dimensions. Specifically, one or more telescopic mechanisms may be used for adjusting the length of support legs. Yet in another embodiment, support legs may be permanently attached to tee connectors of the frame structure and may be folded up or down within a 90 degree range as required. 
     In a further embodiment, the cot apparatus may be configured using a unibody structure with no detachable components. Components of the frame, as well as the legs and platform may be assembled in a unibody structure, where side rails may include a folding mechanism for allowing the cot apparatus to be collapsed into a fully-folded orientation. This folding mechanism in the side rails of the frame may include a button that may be pressed for folding or unfolding the cot apparatus into a fully-folded orientation or in-use orientation respectively. 
     The disclosed cot apparatus may be configured in a fully-folded orientation for easy carry and storage. Parents traveling with babies may operate the cot apparatus with minimal or no use of their hands and legs, and without additional straps or hooking mechanisms for adapting cot apparatus to an airplane seat. In addition, the flexible and portable cot apparatus may be folded or assembled without the use of tools or additional hardware. Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present disclosure may be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded isometric view of a portable and foldable cot apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of portable and foldable cot apparatus in assembled and in-use orientation. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an isometric view of an application where a portable and foldable cot apparatus in assembled and in-use orientation may be used for assisting a baby&#39;s sleep during an airplane flight. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an application where a portable and foldable cot apparatus in assembled and in-use orientation may be used for assisting a baby&#39;s sleep during an airplane flight. 
         FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of a portable and foldable cot apparatus in a pre-folded orientation. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an isometric view of a portable and foldable apparatus collapsed to a fully-folded orientation. 
         FIGS. 7A-C  illustrates different configurations for adjusting the functionality and length of support legs. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an isometric view of a unibody configuration of a portable and foldable cot apparatus in an assembled and in-use orientation. 
         FIG. 9  shows an isometric view of a unibody configuration of a portable and foldable cot apparatus in a pre-folded orientation. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an isometric view of a unibody configuration of a portable and foldable cot apparatus in a fully-folded orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. 
     Definitions 
     As used here, the following terms may have the following definitions: 
     “Frame” refers to a component or part of a cot apparatus, where this frame may be include a plurality of connectors and rails, and may provide tension and structural support to a platform. 
     “Platform” refers to a component or part of a cot apparatus, where this platform may be enclosed by a frame structure, may be flexible and can be used as a resting or sleeping area for a baby. 
     “Legs” refer to detachable or foldable component of a cot apparatus, where these legs may provide support to a frame and a platform for positioning them over the arms of an airplane seat. 
     Description of the Drawings 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded isometric view of a portable and foldable cot apparatus  100 , according to an embodiment. This portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  may include a frame  102 , a platform  104 , and two supporting legs  106  and  108 . 
     According to an embodiment, frame  102  may include a front rail  110 ; a back rail  112 ; side rails  114  and  116 ; tee connectors  118  and  120 ; corner connectors  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128 ; and coupling connectors  130  and  132 . Corner connectors  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  may be configured at 90 degrees, where corner connectors  122  and  124  may accept back rail  112  and side rails  114 ,  116 ; while corner connectors  126  and  128  may accept side rails  114 ,  116  and coupling connectors  130 ,  132 . These coupling connectors  130  and  132  may be configured to link corner connectors  126  and  128  with tee connectors  118  and  120  respectively. Front rail  110  may be operatively coupled with tee connectors  118  and  120 . 
     Support legs  106 ,  108  may be operatively coupled with tee connectors  118  and  120  to raise frame  102  structure to a predetermined height above ground or cabin floor. According to some embodiments described herein, this predetermined height can be adjusted by varying the length of support legs  106 ,  108 . 
     Frame  102  may be configured to enclose and hold platform  104 , while also providing suitable tension to platform  104 . Specifically, portions of platform  104  can be slid through side rails  114 ,  116 , front rail  110 , and back rail  112  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Suitable flexible and resistant materials that can be used in platform  104  may include canvas, fabric, nylon, and the like. According to an embodiment, this platform  104  may be detachable so it can be washed as necessary, in which case, platform  104  may include Velcro straps for easy attachment to frame  102  structure. Furthermore, platform  104  may include a padding or soft cushion within its resting region  134 . 
     Frame  102  structure components and support legs  106 , 108  may be configured to securely assemble without the use of any tools or the need for additional hardware such as clamps, screws, bolts, brackets, and the like. Suitable materials for frame  102  structure components and support legs  106 , 108  may include plastic and aluminum. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an isometric view of the portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  in assembled and in-use orientation, according to an embodiment. As seen in  FIG. 2 , legs  106  and  108  may support frame  102  structure, allowing the positioning of platform  104  as required by the application. For example, frame  102  structure and platform  104  may be positioned over the arms of an airplane seat in order to assist a baby&#39;s sleep. In an embodiment, side rails  114 ,  116  and legs  106 ,  108  may be detached from frame  102  structure for allowing cot apparatus  100  to be folded, rolled up and carried away as required. 
     The portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  may exhibit suitable dimensions for fitting an airplane seat. Specifically, width W of frame  102  may range from about 40 cm to about 50 cm, while length L 1  of frame  102  may vary from about 53 cm to about 75 cm. Similarly, length L 2  of legs  106 ,  108  may vary from about 50 cm to about 65 cm. The overall dimensions and structural strength of cot apparatus  100  may be suitable for carrying a baby of a height of about 50 cm to about 85 cm, and a weight ranging from about 7 lbs to about 26 lbs. 
       FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of application  300  where portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  in assembled and in-use orientation may be employed for assisting a baby&#39;s sleep during an airplane flight, according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 3 , legs  106  and  108  can support frame  102  structure which can be positioned over the arms  302  of airplane seat without the need of additional clipping or fastening components. During use, a baby  304  can lay down over the resting region  134  of platform  104 , with legs  106 ,  108  securely sitting on the cabin floor  306  to support the baby&#39;s weight distribution over platform  104 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a parent  308  may be seated in front of frame  102  structure with minimal or no use of his/her hands to hold the baby  304  in the resting region  134  of platform  104 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of application  300  where portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  in assembled and in-use orientation may be used for assisting a baby&#39;s sleep during an airplane flight, according to an embodiment. In this side view, it is easily appreciated how frame  102  structure can be suitably positioned over the airplane seat arms  302 , preventing contact between the legs of parent  308  and platform  104 , and increasing the overall comfort of both parent  308  and the baby  304  who may be sleeping on the resting region  134  of platform  104 . In particular, parent  308  may be able to operate cot apparatus  100  with minimal or no use of his/her hands and legs, freeing them for other uses such as reading a magazine or just for relaxation and/or sleeping. 
     Support legs  106  and  108  can sit on the cabin floor  306  to provide suitable stability and weight support as required by application  300 . Back rail  112  may be facing the parent  308  torso, in contact or within some spacing from about 5 cm to about 10 cm; while front rail  110  may be facing the back of front seat  402 , in contact or within some spacing from about 2 cm to about 10 cm. 
       FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of the portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  in a pre-folded orientation, according to an embodiment. After using cot apparatus  100  in application  300 , side rails  114  and  116  can be detached from corner connectors  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  of frame  102  structure in order to allow cot apparatus  100  to be folded. Similarly, legs  106  and  108  can be detached from tee connectors  118  and  120  of frame  102  structure. When detached, side rails  114 ,  116  and legs  106 ,  108  can be placed within the flexible and foldable platform  104 , and subsequently, cot apparatus  100  can be collapsed and rolled-up using a folding action  502  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Side rails  114 ,  116  and legs  106 ,  108  can be detached or attached to frame  102  structure as required by application  300  and without the use of tools, simplifying the use and applicability of cot apparatus  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , cot apparatus  100  can be collapsed to a fully-folded orientation for easy transportation and storage, according to an embodiment. Following the folding action  502  described in  FIG. 5 , cot apparatus  100  can be completely rolled-up to a fully-folded orientation which may take the form of a cylindrical bag as depicted in  FIG. 6 , where platform  104  may specifically function as a cover to enclose and protect frame  102  components and support legs  106 ,  108 . Cot apparatus  100  may be securely kept in fully-folded orientation using a suitable tie  602  which may include a belt, a cord, and the like. In an embodiment, flexible platform  104  may include Velcro straps for holding cot apparatus  100  in full-folded orientation. 
     Cot apparatus  100  in fully-folded orientation may be carried as a bag or carry-on luggage that may easily fit airplane&#39;s storage compartments and comply with security requirements. 
       FIGS. 7A-C  shows different configurations  700  of support legs  106 ,  108  that can be used for folding cot apparatus  100  into a fully-folded orientation or for adjusting the height of platform  104  relative to cabin floor  306 , according to some embodiments.  FIG. 7  A shows a configuration where support legs  106 , 108  in cot apparatus  100  may be permanently attached to tee connectors  118 ,  120  through joints  702 . These joints  702  may perform a pivotal and lock action for allowing support legs  106 , 108  to be folded and extended up to a maximum of 90 degrees. 
       FIG. 7  B and  FIG. 7  C show different configurations for adjusting the length of support legs  106 ,  108 . Specifically, length L 2  of support legs  106 ,  108  in cot apparatus  100  can be adjusted according to the distance between the airplane seat arms  302  and cabin floor  306 . In  FIG. 7  B, support legs  106 ,  108  can exhibit a telescopic operation for adjusting length L 2 . This telescopic operation can be performed using a leg extension  704  that may include a press member  706 , where this press member  706  can be aligned with one or more coupling holes  708  according to the desired length L 2 . In another embodiment,  FIG. 7  C, telescopic operation can be performed through one or more leg extensions  704  that can be extended and locked at desired length L 2  using screw sockets  710 . 
       FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10  describe another embodiment where the portable and foldable cot apparatus  100  may exhibit a unibody structure with no detachable components.  FIG. 8  shows the unibody configuration of cot apparatus  100  in assembled and in-use orientation that can be implemented in application  300  for assisting a baby&#39;s sleep during an airplane flight. According to some aspects of this embodiment, side rails  114 ,  116  and legs  106 ,  108  may be permanently attached to frame  102  structure, where side rails  114  and  116  may include a folding mechanism  802  for allowing cot apparatus  100  to be locked in the assembled/in-use orientation. This folding mechanism  802  may include a push button  804  for allowing cot apparatus  100  to be folded or unfolded as required. 
       FIG. 9  shows the unibody configuration of cot apparatus  100  in pre-folded orientation after being used in application  300 . The folding mechanism  802  in frame  102  structure may include a button  804  that can be pressed for folding side rails  114 ,  116  and platform  104  using a downward action  902 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Similarly as in  FIG. 7  A, legs  106  and  108  may be permanently attached to tee connectors  118 ,  120  through joints  702 . These joints  702  may perform a pivotal and lock action for allowing support legs  106 ,  108  to be folded and extended up to a maximum of 90 degrees. 
       FIG. 10  shows the unibody configuration of cot apparatus  100  in a fully-folded orientation. By pressing button  804  in folding mechanism  802 , cot apparatus  100  may be collapsed into fully-folded orientation for easy storage and/or carrying. According to some aspects of this embodiment, folding mechanism  802  may maintain cot apparatus  100  in a fully-folded orientation until button  804  is pressed again, in which case, cot apparatus  100  may be unfolded to a pre-folded orientation, and ultimately, to a assembled and in-use orientation. The unibody configuration of cot apparatus  100  may also include a belt, a cord, or Velcro straps for holding cot apparatus  100  in fully-folded orientation. 
     Other unibody configurations of cot apparatus  100  may include folding mechanism  802  integrated in the front rail  110  and back rail  112  of frame  102  structure, or as required by the application. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments may be contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.