Abstract:
A foam bed for toddlers that is constructed entirely of non-toxic, soft and durable foam material. The foam bed consists essentially of a flat base portion which has its entire perimeter enclosed by one or more side panel portions that have an operative height attached integrally to the base portion by an attaching means.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a bed for toddlers, and more specifically to a bed entirely made of light, sturdy and soft material(s) which enhances safety and comfort for toddlers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Permanently mounted or removable rail or bar restraints are usually installed on cribs to prevent infants from falling out of bed. Unfortunately, these restraints typically allow the head and limbs to be inserted through the rails or bars of the bed or crib. These limbs may then become lodged between the rails or accidently struck by moving people or objects outside the crib. Also, as infants are getting bigger, stronger and more active, they may roll around and hurt themselves by bumping into or over the hard rails of their cribs. 
         [0003]    To reduce these dangers, bumper pads or similar system such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,765 issued May 2, 1995 to Dicken, U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,458 issued Aug. 17, 1999 to DeRosa or U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,464 issued Oct. 25, 2005 to Coauette have been developed. Typically, the padding of these systems are thin, padded strips covered with fabric or plastic and positioned on top of the mattress around the interior boundary of the crib. Other bumper pads have inflatable padded strips that are connected together and inflated to form a cushioned bumper around the crib. 
         [0004]    As infants are growing into toddlers, parents usually switch them from cribs to toddler&#39;s beds for 3 major reasons: 
         [0005]    1. Tall railings along all sides of the beds are no longer required since toddlers may be able to get in and out of their beds on their own. 
         [0006]    2. Toddlers may climb on and over crib railings and be injured 
         [0007]    3. Toddlers grow out of size of their cribs 
         [0008]    A toddler&#39;s bed usually take the form of a regular bed with bedrails on both sides of the bed. The bedrails usually run around half the length of the entire bed. The main function of the bedrails is to prevent toddlers from rolling off their beds while they are sleeping. Bedrails are usually made with hard materials like wood and metal and padding are often added to provide cushioning. The problem with existing bumper pads or cushion is that they tend to be loosely stuffed with filler material. This results in the filler material being redistributed as the crib bumper is handled, particularly when it is washed, such that the crib bumper starts to lose its shape. This loss of shape may cause some portions of the bumper to become thinner and, therefore, provide less protection to the child. 
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a bed for toddlers with special structural design and materials that enhance safety and comfort for toddlers. The present invention is a bed for toddlers that is made entirely out of sturdy but soft material such as flexible polyurethane foam. In one embodiment, the present invention has bedrails on all four sides of the bed that prevent toddlers from falling out. 
         [0010]    One object of the present invention is relative light weight of the entire bed which allows users to move it around with ease. Parents could move the bed from room to room such that they can perform other tasks at home and still be able to keep an eye on their toddler in bed. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the use of filler materials on bumper padding which may shift distribution over time and offer less protection to toddlers. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to enhance protection to toddlers with bedrails along all four sides of the bed. 
         [0013]    Yet another object of the present invention is its low center of gravity which minimize the chance of toppling and potential hazards of toddler&#39;s falling off. 
         [0014]    The present invention is a foam bed for toddlers that is made entirely of non-toxic, soft and durable foam material. The foam bed consists essentially of a flat base portion with its entire perimeter enclosed by one or more side panel portions and the side panels have an operative height and are attached integrally to the base portion by a attaching means. 
         [0015]    The foam materials of the foam bed for toddlers is flexible polyurethane foam. 
         [0016]    The base portion of the foam bed for toddlers has a predetermined shape selected from the group consisting of rectangular, square, round, oval, octagon and elliptical. 
         [0017]    The base portion of the foam bed for toddlers has a thickness in the range of between about 2 and about 7 inches. 
         [0018]    The side panel portions of the foam bed for toddlers have a rectangular shape and a thickness in the range of between about 3 and about 7 inches. 
         [0019]    The side panel portions of the foam bed for toddlers have a oval, round, square, octagon or eclipse shape and a thickness in the range of between about 3 and about 7 inches. 
         [0020]    The side panel portions of the foam bed for toddlers have a height in the range of between about 5 and about 20 inches. 
         [0021]    The attaching means of the foam bed for toddlers is selected from the group consisting of Simalfa water-based adhesive, other non-toxic adhesive, threaded material, hot glue, and hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0022]    The present invention is also a method for constructing a foam bed for toddlers. The method consists of the steps of obtaining a rectangular shape flat block of foam material as a base portion which has a predetermined, operative length and width, obtaining two pieces of rectangular shape foam material as side panels which have a predetermined length approximately the length of the base portion, obtaining two pieces of rectangular shape foam material as end panels which have a predetermined length approximately the length of the base portion and attaching all four sides of the base panel firmly to the base of the side panels and the end panels by a suitable attaching means. 
         [0023]    The present invention is also a method for caring for an infant. The method consists of the steps of obtaining a foam bed that consists of a flat base portion that has an entire perimeter enclosed by one or more side panel portions which have an operative height, the one or more side panel portions attached integrally to the base portion by a attaching means and is constructed entirely of non-toxic, soft and durable foam material, placing the foam bed directly onto the floor and placing the infant into the foam bed, such that the foam bed will protect the infant during sleep and while awake. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a representative upper side view of an embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a representative upper side exploded view of an embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a representative upper side view of an alternative embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100 ′ of the present invention in oval shape. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a representative method of use of an embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a representative upper side view of an embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , foam bed for toddlers  100  of present invention takes the shape of an open rectangular box with round edges on all four internal corners of the center captivity  108 . In one embodiment, the center captivity  108  should have a base area which is in the approximate range of 22 to 30 inches in width, or more or less, and 45 to 65 inches in length, or more or less, or comparable to the size of regular toddler&#39;s beds. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the foam bed  100  consists of base  106 , two side panels  102  and two end panels  104 . In one embodiment, base  106 , two side panels  102  and two end panels  104  are all made of light, soft and durable foam materials such as but not limited to flexible polyurethane foam or FPF. In one embodiment, the ideal building materials should be durable, soft and comfortable to the touch, capable to provide enough support for toddler&#39;s body weight, resistant to smoldering ignition, easy for fabrication, adaptable to styling and clean. FPF is usually produced in slab or block form and cut to size. In one embodiment, after the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention is assembled, it is covered with a removable and washable mattress protector  120 . In one embodiment, the mattress protector  120  can be a fitted sheet made of cloth that wraps around every component, namely, base  106 , two side panels  102  and two end panels  104  of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention. The main purpose of mattress protector  120  is to provide protection and to avoid direct contact of toddler&#39;s body to the building material of the bed  100 . Also, the mattress protector  120  helps to reinforce the entire structure of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention by wrapping it around completely. In one embodiment, mattress protector  120  can be removable for cleaning. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a representative upper side exploded view of an embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100 . In one embodiment, the bed  100  can be constructed by piecing together a base  106 , two side panels  102  and two end panels  104  or by craving out a rectangular shape captivity  108  out of the entire block of building material such as FPF or a combination thereof. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , base  106 , two side panels  102  and two end panels  104  are all made of light, soft and durable foam materials such as but not limited to flexible polyurethane foam or FPF. In one embodiment, the ideal building materials should be durable, soft and comfortable to the touch, capable to provide enough support for toddler&#39;s body weight, resistant to smoldering ignition, easy for fabrication, adaptable to styling and clean. FPF is usually produced in slab or block form and cut to size. In one embodiment, the dimension of base  106  is in the approximate range of 22-30 inches in width, or more or less, and the approximate range of 45-65 inches in length, or more or less, with the approximate range of 2-7 inch in thickness or more or less. The thickness of base  106  should be thick enough to withstand a regular toddler body weight and yet provide enough support but still maintain low to the ground to avoid toppling of the entire foam bed  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the two ends of base  106  are attached to the base of respective end panels  104  by mechanical or chemical means such as but not limited to Simalfa water based adhesive or any adhesive that is non toxic, non corrosive to building material, durable, heat resistant and capable to provide adequate adhesive strength to withstand reasonable impact. In one embodiment, the width of end panels  104  should match the width of base  106 . In one embodiment, the end panels  104  is a rectangle panel shape, optionally with round side edges, and thickness that is in the approximate range of 3-7 inches, or more or less. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , side panels  102  is a rectangular panel with round shoulders  202  and a thickness that is in the approximate range of 3-7 inches, or more or less. In one embodiment, the two sides of base  106  are attached to the base of respective side panels  102  also by adhesive. In an alternative embodiment, side panels  102  have no shoulders  202 . As best shown in  FIG. 1 , after the foam bed  100  is assembled, it should create a rectangular shape captivity  108  with round corners. In one embodiment, the height of end panels  104  and side panels  102  should be in the approximate range of 5-20 inches, or more or less, such that it prevents toddlers from rolling off the present invention  100 . The main advantage of is such that when babies are transiting out of their cribs because they are strong and large enough to climb out and might fall from the top of the rails of their cribs and get injured, the foam bed  100  of the present invention can prevent a hard fall due to the design that it sits low on the ground. Also, the foam bed  100  of the present invention has railing in the form of side panels  102  and end panels  104  which create a complete enclosure to further control toddlers from rolling out when they are asleep. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a representative upper side view of an alternative embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100 ′ of the present invention in oval shape. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bed  100 ′ is oval or eclipse in shape. In one embodiment, base panel  106 ′ is in oval or eclipse shape with a thickness in the approximate range of 2-7 inches, or more or less. In one embodiment, the length of the major axis of base panel  106 ′ is in the approximate range of 45-65 inches, or more or less, and the width or length of the minor axis of base panel  106 ′ is in the approximate range of 22-30 inches, or more or less. As shown in  FIG. 3 , bed rail  302  is in a shape of a hollow oval or ecliptic column with the internal perimeter matches exactly to the outer perimeter of base panel  106 ′. In one embodiment, the side of base panel  106 ′ is attached firmly by mechanical or chemical means such as but not limited to water based adhesive or any adhesive that is non toxic, non corrosive to building material, durable, heat resistant and capable to provide adequate adhesive strength to withstand reasonable impact. In one embodiment, the height of bed rail  302  should be in the approximate range of 5-20 inches, or more or less, such that it prevents toddlers from rolling off the present invention  100 . In one embodiment, bed rail  302  has a thickness that is in the approximate range of 3-7 inches, or more or less. After the assembly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , an ecliptic or oval shape captivity for toddlers to sleep in is created. In one embodiment, base panel  106 ′ and bed rail  302  are all made of light, soft and durable foam materials such as but not limited to flexible polyurethane foam or FPF. In another alternative embodiment, base panel  106 ′ is in square, oval or octagon shape with a bed rail  302  in corresponding shape. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a representative method of use of an embodiment of the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , center captivity area or container  108  of the present invention  100  is spacious enough for toddler  90  to sleep in comfortably. As shown in  FIG. 4 , side panels  104  and end panels  104  provide a soft but yet resilient railing to both protect toddler  90  from rolling off the foam bed  100  and minimize impact to toddler&#39;s  90  body. In one embodiment, since the foam bed for toddlers  100  of the present invention is low on the ground, even if toddler  90  climbs over side panels  104 , it will not be a hard fall compared to most toddler&#39;s beds and cribs. 
         [0037]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0038]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.