Patent Publication Number: US-2011065344-A1

Title: Baby cot with life raft function

Description:
The present application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2009 038 029.9, filed Aug. 19, 2009 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/235,163, filed Aug. 19, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     The invention relates to a baby cot, also called a baby bassinet, which is suitable in particular for use on board an aircraft. 
     At present, baby cots employed in passenger aircraft can be detachably fastened to a dividing wall provided in the passenger cabin. The fastening of a baby cot to the dividing wall can be effected, for example, by means of pins which are attached to the baby cot and can be inserted into corresponding inserts embedded in the dividing wall and audibly catch as soon as the pins have reached a desired position in the inserts. To remove the baby cot from the dividing wall, in contrast, it is necessary to release the catch connection between the pins attached to the baby cot and the inserts embedded in the dividing wall, for example by pushing appropriate release buttons. In order to avoid inadvertent actuation of the release buttons, the release buttons are generally arranged behind spring-loaded covering flaps which have to be manually displaced to make the release buttons accessible. The baby cots currently employed in passenger aircraft may only be used when the aircraft is at cruising altitude. During takeoff, landing and taxiing, however, it is not permitted for a baby to be in the baby cot. 
     Furthermore, inflatable life rafts specially designed for babies are usually provided on board an aircraft in case of a crash-landing in water. These life rafts are stored, similar to life jackets, in the folded-up state and are usually stowed in a luggage compartment of the aircraft. In an emergency, the life raft must first be fetched by the cabin crew and inflated. Then, the baby has to be placed in the life raft and the lift raft closed. These procedures are awkward and time-consuming. Moreover, there is a risk of the life raft, which is normally brought on board the aircraft by a catering company if there is a baby among the passengers, being forgotten and then not being present on board in an emergency. 
     The object on which the invention is based, therefore, is to provide a baby cot which is suitable for use on board an aircraft and can be used, in the event of the aircraft crash-landing in water, as a life raft for a baby. 
     To achieve this object, a baby cot according to the invention comprises a floatable base body which is shaped and dimensioned such that it is suitable for accommodating a baby. Similar to conventional baby cots currently employed in passenger aircraft, the baby cot according to the invention can also have a fastening element which is, for example, attached to the base body and which enables the baby cot to be fastened to a dividing wall provided in an aircraft passenger cabin. The fastening element formed on the baby cot can be designed to cooperate with a complementary fastening element attached to the dividing wall. For example, fastening clips can be attached to the base body of the baby cot according to the invention and these clips can be inserted into corresponding holding clips mounted on the dividing wall. 
     Furthermore, the baby cot according to the invention comprises a cover which is designed to close an open upper side of the base body watertightly. When the cover is closed, the ingress of water into the interior of the base body is thus reliably avoided. The baby cot equipped with a floatable base body and a watertight cover is suitable for serving as a life raft for a baby, for example in the event of an aircraft crash-landing in water. The baby cot according to the invention thus obviates the need to provide an additional baby life raft. As a result, there is no longer a risk of a life raft possibly not being present on board the aircraft in an emergency. Moreover, it is no longer necessary to fetch the life raft and render it usable by inflating it. Finally, the need to transfer the baby from a conventional baby cot to a separate life raft can be dispensed with. Instead, all that is required to convert the baby cot according to the invention into a life raft is to close the open upper side of the base body watertightly by means of the cover. The simple handling of the baby cot according to the invention more or less precludes malfunctions due to incorrect handling. The baby cot according to the invention thus results in a considerable easing of the burden on the cabin crew in an emergency situation. Overall, the chances of survival of a baby in the event of a crash-landing in water are thus significantly increased by the baby cot according to the invention. 
     Although the baby cot according to the invention is described here as being suitable for use on board an aircraft, it will be understood that the baby cot according to the invention may also be employed elsewhere, for example on board a ship. 
     The base body of the baby cot according to the invention is preferably made of a plastics material. Suitable materials are, for example, polyethylene (PE) or polyamide (PA), but also glass-fibre or carbon-fibre reinforced plastics or foam materials. As a result, the baby cot can be designed to be lightweight, yet at the same time robust. Moreover, a plastics material is particularly well suited for the production of a floatable base body owing to its low density. At least one hollow chamber can be formed in a base plate and/or at least one side wall of the base body. As a result of this(these) preferably air-filled hollow chamber(s), the floatability of the base body can be markedly improved compared with a base body designed as a solid body. Furthermore, the inner space of the base body is insulated against cold by the hollow chamber(s). If desired, a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another can be formed in the base body. A base body having a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another retains its floatability even if one or more hollow chamber(s) should have a leak. Preferably, at least one hollow chamber is formed in each side wall and the base plate of the base body. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment of the baby cot according to the invention, a plurality of hollow chambers arranged above one another and/or beside one another are formed in the base plate of the base body. As a result, optimal insulation of the base-body inner space and in particular of the lying area, formed by an inner surface of the base-body base plate, of the baby cot is ensured. 
     A first side wall of the base body can be constructed higher, i.e. extend further from the base plate of the base body, than a second side wall, lying opposite the first side wall, of the base body. Furthermore, a third side wall, connecting the first and the second side wall to one another, of the base body and a fourth side wall, connecting the first and the second side wall to one another and lying opposite the third side wall, of the base body can have an edge which is inclined relative to the base plate of the base body and faces away from the base plate. When the open upper side of a base body provided with side walls constructed in this manner is closed watertightly by means of the cover, the cover supported on the upper edges, facing away from the base plate, of the side walls forms a sloping water-runoff surface without the cover itself having to be provided with a correspondingly shaped slope. The collection of water on the cover is thereby reliably avoided. 
     Preferably, the cover of the baby cot according to the invention is designed to be stored in a space-saving manner in a folded-up state during normal use of the baby cot. For example, the cover can be embodied in the form of a tarpaulin made of a watertight material. As an alternative to this, however, the cover can also comprise an inflatable body. An inflatable cover has the advantage that, during normal use of the baby cot, it can be fastened to the base body in a space-saving manner in the folded-up state in the region of a side wall of the base body or integrated into a side wall of the base body. In the inflated state, in contrast, the cover already has a shape and is already at least approximately arranged in a position which facilitates the closing of an open upper side of the base body by means of the cover. Moreover, an inflatable cover contributes to further improvement of the floatability of the baby cot and also to further improvement of the insulation of the base-body inner space against cold. 
     A cover comprising an inflatable body can be made, for example, of a plastics or rubber material which is also employed during the production of inflatable boats or life jackets. Suitable materials are, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorosulphonated polyethylene (Hypalon®), polyurethane (PU) or the like. Furthermore, it is advantageous to design the cover and/or the base body of the baby cot according to the invention in a signal colour, such as, for example, yellow or orange, in order to facilitate visual location of the baby cot functioning as a life raft in an emergency. 
     In particular if it has an inflatable body, the cover is preferably stowed in the folded-up state during normal use of the baby cot in such a manner, i.e. fastened to the base body or integrated into a component, for example a side wall of the base body, in such a manner, that its unfolding is not hindered in an emergency. Holders which keep the cover in the folded-up state or elements which envelop the cover in the folded-up state should therefore be designed such that the cover can be quickly and simply unfolded in an emergency. Such holders or envelopes should therefore be provided, for example, with seams or the like which split open easily. 
     The cover of the baby cot according to the invention is preferably fixedly connected to the base body along at least a section of a circumference of the base body. This ensures that the cover is rapidly ready to hand in an emergency. For example, the cover can be fixedly connected to the base body along a section of a side wall of the base body. As an alternative to this, it is conceivable to provide a watertight zip fastener which is designed to connect the cover to the base body along the circumference of the base body. Particularly simple conversion of the baby cot for the emergency is possible if the cover is fixedly connected to the base body along a section of the circumference of the base body and a watertight zip fastener serves to connect the cover to the base body along the remaining section of the circumference of the base body. 
     The cover of the baby cot according to the invention preferably has at least one section formed by a watertight, air-permeable membrane. Such a design of the cover ensures sufficient ventilation of the inner space of the base body and thus sufficient oxygen supply to a baby accommodated in the watertightly closed baby cot even when the base body is watertightly closed by means of the cover. For example, a Goretex® membrane or a membrane having similar properties can be used as the watertight, air-permeable membrane. 
     For further improvement of its floatability, the baby cot according to the invention can comprise at least one inflatable float which extends in the inflated state from an outer surface of a side wall of the base body. For example, the float can have a triangular cross-section and be fastened to the base body such that a floating surface of the float extends parallel to an outer surface of the base-body base plate, in particular in a direct prolongation of the outer surface of the base-body base plate. If desired, the baby cot according to the invention can be equipped with a plurality of inflatable floats. For example, each side wall of the base body can be assigned a corresponding float. Sufficient stabilisation of the baby cot in the water is already ensured, however, by two floats assigned to mutually opposite side walls. 
     Similar to the cover of the baby cot according to the invention, the inflatable float can also be made of a plastics or rubber material which is also used for the production of inflatable boats or life jackets. Suitable materials are, for example, Suitable materials are, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorosulphonated polyethylene (Hypalon®), polyurethane (PU) or the like. Furthermore, it is again advantageous to design the float in a signal colour, such as, for example, yellow or orange, in order to facilitate visual location of the baby cot functioning as a life raft in an emergency. 
     Similar to the cover, the inflatable float is preferably stowed in the folded-up state during normal use of the baby cot in such a manner, i.e. fastened to the base body or integrated into a component, for example a side wall of the base body, in such a manner, that its unfolding is not hindered in an emergency. Holders which keep the float in the folded-up state or elements which envelop the float in the folded-up state should therefore be designed such that the float can be quickly and simply unfolded in an emergency. Such holders or envelopes should therefore be provided, for example, with seams or the like which split open easily. 
     Preferably, a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another are formed in an inner space of the inflatable float. As a result of a design of the inflatable float with a plurality of separate hollow chambers, the functionality of the float is ensured even if one hollow chamber should have a leak. 
     The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises a stabilising device which has at least one unfoldable stabilising body fastened to the base body. The unfoldable stabilising body can consist, for example, of a watertight tarpaulin and be fastened to an outer surface of the base-body base plate. Preferably, the stabilising body is provided, in a region adjacent to the base body, with at least one water supply opening. The water supply opening enables a supply of water into the stabilising body and thus the unfolding of the stabilising body in an emergency when the baby cot is floating in the water. In the unfolded state, the stabilising body preferably extends substantially perpendicularly to the base plate of the base body from an outer surface of the base-body base plate. The stabilising body can have a substantially cylindrical shape, for example. A water-tight design of the side walls and the bottom of the stabilising body prevents water which has been supplied into the stabilising body via the water supply opening from escaping from the stabilising body again. An optimised water supply into the stabilising body is ensured when the stabilising body has a plurality of water supply openings arranged in a manner distributed around a circumference of the stabilising body, in a region of the stabilising body which is adjacent to the base body. 
     The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises an inflating device for inflating an inflatably designed cover and/or an inflatable float. The inflating device can comprise, for example, at least one gas cartridge which is connected to an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover and/or an inner space of the float. A compressed-air cartridge, for example, can be employed as the gas cartridge. An inflating device fitted with a gas cartridge enables automatic inflation of the cover and/or the float. 
     In addition or as an alternative to this, however, the inflating device can also comprise a mouthpiece which is likewise connected to an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover and/or an inner space of the float. For example, a cutout for accommodating the mouthpiece of the inflating device can be provided in an inner surface of a side wall of the base body. The cutout accommodating the mouthpiece can be closable with a corresponding cover in order to protect the mouthpiece of the inflating device from soiling or misuse, in particular during normal use of the baby cot according to the invention. An inflating device which comprises both a gas cartridge and a mouthpiece is particularly conveniently and reliably operable since the gas cartridge normally ensures automatic inflation of the cover and/or the float, but the cover and/or the float can also be inflated via the mouthpiece in the event of a failure of the gas cartridge. 
     The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises an activating mechanism for activating the gas cartridge. The activating mechanism can comprise, for example, an activating element which is connected to a valve of the gas cartridge and furthermore can be fastened to a holding element, for example a holding element mounted on a wall intended for fastening the baby cot according to the invention, when the baby cot is in a position intended for normal use of the baby cot. The activating element is preferably designed to transmit a force required for opening the valve of the gas cartridge to the valve of the gas cartridge when the baby cot is moved from its position intended for normal use of the baby cot relative to the holding element. In the case of a baby cot fitted with an activating mechanism, the gas cartridge is thus automatically activated and the cover and/or the float of the baby cot is activated as soon as the baby cot is moved from its position intended for normal use of the baby cot relative to the holding element. If the holding element is, for example, mounted on a dividing wall of an aircraft passenger cabin intended for fastening the baby cot, the activating mechanism ensures automatic activation of the gas cartridge as soon as the baby cot is detached from the dividing wall. 
     In order to prevent inadvertent triggering of the activating mechanism, the activating element and the holding element are preferably designed such that they can be separated from one another in a simple manner when the baby cot on normal use is to be moved from its position relative to the holding element, i.e. for example is to be detached from a dividing wall, intended for fastening the baby cot, of an aircraft passenger cabin. For example, the holding element can be embodied in the form of a hook and the activating element can comprise a holding ring intended for cooperating with the holding element. 
     The activating element can, for example, be embodied in the form of an activating cord or an activating rod, the first end of which is connected to the valve of the gas cartridge. A second end of the activating element can preferably be fastened to the holding element when the baby cot is in a position intended for normal use of the baby cot. Furthermore, the activating element can be provided with a predetermined breaking point, the strength of which is greater than the force required for opening the valve of the gas cartridge but is less than the strength of the remaining regions of the activating element. The predetermined breaking point formed on the activating element is thus preferably designed such that it does not impair the force trans-mission to the valve of the gas cartridge. After the opening of the valve, however, it ensures controlled tearing or breaking of the activating element and thereby facilitates a movement of the baby cot from its position relative to the holding element. 
     The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises a carrying handle arrangement preferably comprising two carrying handles. The carrying handles can extend from two mutually opposite side walls of the base body, i.e. be fastened to two mutually opposite side walls of the base body. On normal use of the baby cot, the carrying handles facilitate the handling of the baby cot. The carrying handles can be connected to one another by means of a connecting device. Preferably, the carrying handle arrangement is shaped in such a manner, and has such mechanical properties, that it is suitable for cooperating with a sea rescue device. 
     For example, the carrying handles can be made of a material, and be dimensioned, such that they extend upwards from the side walls of the base body in a self-supporting manner. A spring hook of a sea rescue device can then be simply hooked into the connecting device connecting the carrying handles to one another, in order to pull the baby cot out of the water in an emergency. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the baby cot according to the invention, the connecting device connecting the carrying handles to one another extends from the ends of the carrying handles arcuately upwards, i.e. has a cross-section in the form of an inverted U. A connecting device shaped in this manner facilitates the hooking of a spring hook of a sea rescue device into the carrying handle arrangement. 
     In order to facilitate the location of the baby cot in the water in an emergency, the baby cot according to the invention is preferably equipped with signal lighting. The signal lighting can be embodied, for example, in the form of a flashing light. In addition or as an alternative to this, the baby cot according to the invention can be fitted with a GPS position transmitter. A GPS position transmitter also enables rapid location of the baby cot in poor visibility. 
     The signal lighting and/or GPS position transmitter can be coupled to the activating mechanism for activating the gas cartridge in such a manner that the signal lighting and/or GPS position transmitter is/are automatically activated when the activating mechanism activates the gas cartridge. In such an arrangement, it is not necessary in an emergency to activate the signal lighting and/or GPS position transmitter separately. 
     The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises a safety belt arrangement suitable for securing a baby accommodated in the base body of the baby cot. As a result of the safety belt arrangement, the risk of injury to a baby present in the baby cot in an emergency is minimised. Moreover, on normal use of the baby cot too, the safety belt arrangement increases safety, since a baby accommodated in the base body of the baby cot is securely held in the baby cot, for example, during turbulence or the like. A baby cot fitted with a safety belt arrangement can also accommodate a baby during takeoff, landing and taxiing of an aircraft. 
    
    
     
       A preferred embodiment of a baby cot according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of the attached schematic drawings, of which 
         FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional view of a baby cot in a state suitable for normal use, 
         FIG. 2  shows a further three-dimensional view of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  shows a plan view of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-section of a base body of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 7  shows a detail illustration of a mouthpiece of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 8  shows a three-dimensional illustration of the baby cot according to  FIG. 1  in a state suitable for emergency use, 
         FIG. 9  shows a detail illustration of a cover inner side of the baby cot according to  FIG. 8 , 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional illustration of a float of the baby cot according to  FIG. 8 , and 
         FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show detail illustrations of an activating mechanism of the baby cot according to  FIGS. 1 to 10 . 
     
    
    
     In the figures, a baby cot suitable for use on board an aircraft or a ship, for example, is denoted generally by  10 . The baby cot  10  comprises a base body  12  which is shaped and dimensioned such that it is suitable for accommodating a baby. In particular, the base body  12  of the baby cot  10  comprises a base plate  14  and four side walls  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  which bound the base plate  14  and extend substantially perpendicularly to the base plate  14 . As can best be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base body  12  of the baby cot  10  has an upper side of open design, so that a baby can be placed in the baby cot  10  in a simple manner, an inner surface of the base-body base plate  14  forming a lying area for the baby. 
     The base body  12  of the baby cot  10  is of floatable design. Furthermore, the baby cot  10  comprises a cover  23 , illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , which is designed to close the upper side of the base body  12  watertightly. Owing to the floatable design of the base body  12  and the possibility of closing the open upper side of the base body  12  watertightly, the baby cot  10  can be used, in an emergency, i.e. for example in the event of an aircraft crash-landing in water or in the event of a ship accident, as a life raft for a baby. Carrying a separate baby life raft on board the aircraft or ship is thus unnecessary. Moreover, it is no longer necessary in an emergency to prepare a separate life raft for use and to transfer the baby from a conventional baby cot to the life raft. 
     In the embodiment shown in the figures, the base body  12  of the baby cot  10  is made of a plastics material which, owing to its low density, ensures that the base body  12 , i.e. the entire baby cot  12 , floats in water. To improve the floatability of the base body  12 , a plurality of hollow chambers  24  are formed in the base plate  14  and the side walls  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  of the base body  12 , as can be seen in  FIG. 6 . The individual hollow chambers  24  are each separated from one another and filled with air. Since a plurality of hollow chambers  24  are formed in the base body  12 , the floatability of the base body  12  is not substantially impaired if one or even more than one hollow chamber  24  has a leak. Furthermore, the air-filled hollow chambers  24  ensure good insulation of the base-body inner space against cold. Optimal insulation of the lying area, formed by the inner surface of the base-body base plate  14 , of the baby cot  10  is ensured by two hollow chambers  24  formed in the base-body base plate  14  and arranged one above the other. A baby present in the baby cot  10  is thus relatively well protected from cold even if the baby cot  10  is floating in cold water. 
     A first side wall  16  of the base body  12  is constructed higher than a second side wall  18 , lying opposite the first side wall  16 , of the base body  12 . Furthermore, a third side wall  20 , connecting the first and the second side wall  16 ,  18  to one another, and a fourth side wall  22 , connecting the first and the second side wall  16 ,  18  to one another and lying opposite the third side wall  20 , of the base body  12  have an upper edge which is inclined relative to the base plate  14  of the base body  12  and faces away from the base plate  14 . When the cover  23  closes the open upper side of the base body  12 , the cover  23 , lying on the edges of the base-body side walls  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 , thus forms a sloping surface which, in an emergency when the baby cot  10  is floating in the water, prevents water from collecting on an upper side of the cover  23 . 
     The cover  23 , which serves to close the open upper side of the base body  12  watertightly in an emergency, is formed by an inflatable body. When the baby cot  10  is in a state suitable for normal use, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the cover  23  formed by an inflatable body is stowed, folded up in a space-saving manner, in the region of the first side wall  16  of the base body  12 . In principle, it is possible to stow the cover  23  in the folded-up state without an additional envelope or the like. If desired, however, an envelope for protecting the cover  23  may also be provided around the folded-up cover  23 . Furthermore, it is conceivable to integrate the cover  23  in the folded-up state into a side wall  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  of the base body  12 , i.e. to accommodate the cover  23  in a recess formed in a side wall  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  of the base body  12 , for example. All that is essential is that, in an emergency, the unfolding of the cover  23  is not hindered by a protective envelope or a device for accommodating the cover  23 . This can be ensured, for example, by designing any seams such that, in an emergency, they tear when the cover  23  is inflated in order to enable the unfolding of the cover  23 . 
     The cover  23  is fixedly connected to the base body  12  in a central region of the first side wall  16 . In contrast, in edge regions of the first side wall  16  and in the region of the second side wall  18 , of the third side wall  20  and of the fourth side wall  22 , a watertight zip fastener  26  is provided. With the aid of the watertight zip fastener  26 , the cover  23  can be quickly and simply connected to the side walls  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  of the base body  12  in an emergency, in order to close the upper side of the base body  12  watertightly. 
     Three openings  28  are formed in the cover  23 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 9 , which shows an inner side of the cover  23 , i.e. a surface of the cover  23  facing the inner space of the base body  12  when the cover  23  closes the open upper side of the base body  12 , the openings  28  have a circular cross-section. The openings  28  may, however, also have any other geometrical cross-section. The openings  28  are each closed by a watertight air-permeable membrane  30 . For example, a Goretex® membrane or a membrane with comparable properties may be employed as the watertight, air-permeable membrane  30 . Sufficient ventilation of the inner space of the base body is ensured by the openings  28  closed by the membrane  30 . At the same time, the membrane  30  prevents the ingress of water through the openings  28 . 
     In order to further improve the floatability of the base body  12  in an emergency, the baby cot  10  is furthermore equipped with two inflatable floats  32 . The floats  32  each have a triangular cross-section and extend from outer surfaces of the first and the second base-body side wall  16 ,  18 , respectively. A floating surface  34  of the floats  32  extends in a direct prolongation with respect to an outer surface of the base-body base plate  14 . From  FIG. 10 , it can be seen that two hollow chambers  36  separated from one another are formed in an inner space of the floats  32 . This ensures that the functioning of the floats  32  is substantially maintained even if one hollow chamber  36  has a leak. 
     In order to ensure that the baby cot  10  is as stable as possible in the water in an emergency, even in rough seas, the baby cot  10  is furthermore equipped with a stabilising device  38 . The stabilising device  38  comprises two unfoldable stabilising bodies  40  which are fastened to the base body  12  of the baby cot  10  and, in the unfolded state, extend from an outer surface of the base-body base plate  14  (see  FIG. 8 ). The stabilising bodies  40  are formed by a watertight tarpaulin which is provided with a plurality of water supply openings  42  in a region adjacent to the base body  12  or the base-body base plate  14 . When the baby cot  10  is floating in the water in an emergency, water enters the stabilising bodies  40  through the water supply openings  42  and thus ensures automatic unfolding of the stabilising bodies  40 . The watertight design of the side walls and of the bottom of the stabilising bodies  40  prevents water from escaping from the stabilising bodies  40  again. In the unfolded state, the stabilising bodies  40  have a substantially circular-cylindrical shape, the water supply openings  42  being arranged in a manner distributed around a circumference of the stabilising bodies  40 , in a region of the stabilising bodies  40  which is adjacent to the base body  12  or the base-body base plate  14 . 
     The baby cot  10  is furthermore equipped with an inflating device for inflating the inflatable body of the cover  23  and the floats  32 . As can best be seen in  FIGS. 2 to 5 ,  11   a  and  11   b , the inflating device comprises a mouthpiece  44  and a plurality of gas cartridges  46  which are fastened to an outer surface of the first base-body side wall  16 . The gas cartridges  46 , which may be embodied in the form of compressed-air cartridges for example, each have a valve  48 . In the open state of the valve  48 , gas flows out of the gas cartridges  46  into an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover  23  and the inner space of the floats  32 . In principle, it is conceivable to provide separate gas cartridges  26  for inflating the inflatable body of the cover  23  and the individual floats  32 . As an alternative to this, however, all the gas cartridges  46  may also be connected to the inner space of the inflatable body of the cover  23  and the inner space of the floats  23 . Such an arrangement is distinguished by a certain redundancy in the event of failure of a gas cartridge  26 . 
     With the aid of the mouthpiece  44 , the inflatable body of the cover  23  and/or the floats  32  can be inflated even if all the gas cartridges  46  fail. It will be understood that the mouthpiece  44  may also be used, if required, to inflate the inflatable body of the cover  23  and/or the floats  32  to an even greater degree after inflation by the gas cartridges  46 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 7 , the mouthpiece  44  is accommodated in a cutout  50  formed in an inner surface of the fourth base-body side wall  22 . The cutout  50  can be closed by a cover (not shown in the figures), in order to protect the mouthpiece  44 , for example, from misuse, soiling etc. on normal use of the baby cot  10 . 
     The gas cartridges  46  of the inflating device are each activatable by means of an activating mechanism  52 , illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b . The activating mechanism  52  comprises an activating element  54  embodied in the form of an activating cord in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b . A first end of the activating element  54  is connected to a valve  48  of a gas cartridge  46 , whereas a second end of the activating element  54  can be fastened to a holding element  56 . The holding element  56  may be embodied, for example, in the form of a hook and mounted on a dividing wall  58  provided in an aircraft cabin. 
     The baby cot  10  can also be fastened to the dividing wall  58  by means of a fastening device  60  comprising a first fastening element  62 , fastened to an outer surface of the first base-body side wall  16  of the baby cot  10 , and a second fastening element  64 , complementary to the first fastening element  62  and fastened to the dividing wall  58 . If desired or necessary, the dividing wall  58  may be wholly or partly of strengthened design in order to ensure secure fastening of the baby cot  10  to the dividing wall  58 . 
     The activating element  54  of the activating mechanism  52  is provided with a predetermined breaking point  66 , the strength of which is greater than the force required to open the valve  48  of the gas cartridge  46 . The strength of the predetermined breaking point  66  is, however, less than the strength of the remaining regions of the activating element  54 . In an emergency, the baby cot  10  is detached from the dividing wall  58 . This is done by appropriate uncoupling of the first fastening element  62  from the second fastening element  64 . As a result of the movement of the baby cot  10  relative to the holding element  56  mounted on the dividing wall  58 , a tensile force is applied to the activating element  54  of the activating mechanism  52 , causing the valve  48  of the gas cartridge  46  to open. The inflatable body of the cover  23  and the floats  32  are thus inflated by the gas contained in the gas cartridge  46 . Upon a further movement of the baby cot  10  relative to the dividing wall  58  or the holding element  56  mounted on the dividing wall  58 , the activating element  54  tears in the region of its predetermined breaking point  66 . This ensures that the baby cot can be detached from the dividing wall  58  without excessive effort. 
     The baby cot  10  furthermore comprises a carrying handle arrangement  68 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5 . However, for greater clarity, illustration of the carrying handle arrangement  68  has been omitted in  FIGS. 6 to 11 . It will be understood, however, that the baby cot  10  shown in  FIGS. 6 to 11  is also fitted with a carrying handle arrangement  68 . The carrying handle arrangement  68  comprises two carrying handles  70 ,  72  which are fastened to the first and to the second base-body side wall  16 ,  18  and are connected to one another via a connecting device  74 . The material of the carrying handle arrangement  68  is chosen, and the carrying handle arrangement  68  is dimensioned, such that the carrying handles  70 ,  72  extend upwards from the base-body side walls  16 ,  18 . The connecting device  74  arcuately spans a distance between upper ends of the carrying handles  70 ,  72 . The carrying handle arrangement  68  is thus suitable for cooperation with a sea rescue device, i.e. a spring hook of a sea rescue device can be simply and conveniently hooked into the connecting device  74  of the carrying handle arrangement  78  in order to recover the baby cot  10  from the water in an emergency. 
     Furthermore, the baby cot  10  is fitted with signal lighting  76  (indicated merely schematically in the figures) and a GPS position transmitter  78  (likewise indicated merely schematically in the figures). The signal lighting  76 , embodied in the form of a flashing light, and the GPS position transmitter  78  are coupled to an activating mechanism  52  for activating a gas cartridge  46 , so that the signal lighting  76  and the GPS position transmitter  78  are automatically activated when the activating mechanism  52  activates the gas cartridge  46 . Separate activation of the signal lighting  76  and the GPS position transmitter  78  can thereby be dispensed with. 
     Finally, the baby cot  10  comprises a safety belt arrangement  80  which is designed to secure a baby accommodated in the base body  12  of the baby cot  10 . The safety belt arrangement  80  may be embodied in the form of a simple abdominal belt but also in the form of a harness belt, such as that employed, for example, in child car seats or the like.