Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority date benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/669,165, filed Dec. 8, 2005. 
     
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC ON CD 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to an infant bed and, more particularly, to an infant bed that is adapted for co-sleeping by the infant in an adult bed. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    It is well known that newborn human infants require a great deal of sleep. The most common sleeping place for newborns and small infants during the first few months of life is in a bassinet. Then, as the infant grows and becomes too large for the bassinet, it is typically moved to a crib. Most newborn infants are unable to raise their heads for a number of days or weeks after birth, and most are unable to roll themselves over for several weeks or months. Because of the limited mobility of most newborns, the bassinet where they sleep is typically provided with a firm and flat mattress pad and no pillow in order to help prevent inadvertent suffocation of the infant. A tall peripheral wall around the bassinet prevents the infant from falling out. Unfortunately, these features make the bassinet bulky and difficult to transport. 
         [0008]    It is typical for the adult parents of newborn infants to keep the bassinet in the adult bedroom at night. This facilitates easy access to the infant during the night for feeding, changing or other needs that the infant may have. However, the unpredictable and seemingly unceasing demands of newborn infants can take their toll on the new parents and deprive them of much needed night sleep. Often, the warm and soothing touch of the parents is all that is necessary to help the infant fall asleep. Unfortunately, it can be both awkward and uncomfortable to lean over or reach into the bassinet in order to comfort the infant, especially when the tired parent would much rather be lying down. It is therefore desirable to provide an infant bed that can be easily accessed by the parent while lying down. 
         [0009]    This arrangement, termed “co-sleeping”, involves the use of an infant bed that is adapted to support and protect an infant when sleeping in the adult bed. This arrangement may be not only desired, but required, by mothers who are recovering from labor and delivery, and/or from Caesarian section births. Likewise, nursing babies may be fed at night with minimal disruption of the sleep of the nursing mother. 
         [0010]    One exemplary design is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,715, issued to Farah Morton on Apr. 16, 2002. It is directed toward a portable infant bed having a base panel, and an end wall and two side walls surrounding contiguous edges of the base panel to protect the infant from hazards such as choking, suffocating, or rollover injuries. The present invention is viewed as providing significant improvements over that patented invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention generally comprises an infant bed construction that protects an infant when sleeping in the same bed as the parent or other adult. The infant bed is comprised of a frame that includes a head end wall, two side walls, and a base panel. These elements may be formed integrally as a molded plastic coffer that is provided with reinforced edges and rigid rib sections molded into the panel elements. Alternatively, these elements may be separate components that are secured in a fabric cover that is provided with pockets to removably secure the panel portions, and straps to retain the assembly in the erected configuration in which the infant is protected by objects falling into the infant bed. 
         [0012]    A salient aspect of the infant bed is the provision of a safety bar assembly to protect the area where the head of the infant will be resting. In general terms, the safety bar assembly includes an arched or bowed structure that spans the side walls adjacent to the head end wall, and has opposed ends that are secured to the side walls. In one embodiment, the safety bar includes a central tubular portion and a pair of parallel legs at opposed ends of the central portion. A pair of mounting brackets are secured to opposed side wall portions of the bed, and the legs of the safety bar are secured to the mounting brackets. The brackets are formed with a keyway entry that receives a complementary key formed at the end of each safety bar leg. The brackets also include interior arcuate tracks in which a respective key may pivot. As a result, the legs of the safety bar may be releasably joined to the mounting brackets, and the safety bar may be pivoted from a generally vertical placement over the head of the infant, to a forward position that is adjacent to the head end wall of the infant bed. Thus the safety bar may be positioned above the head of the infant resting in the infant bed, thereby to protect the infant from pillows, bed clothing, and the like that may otherwise fall onto the face or head of the infant and pose a potential choking/suffocating hazard. 
         [0013]    The safety bar key/keyway mounting arrangement is oriented so that the safety bar will pull out of the mounting brackets if the safety bar is pulled upwardly in a generally vertical direction. As a result, the construction of the infant bed prevents using the safety bar as a handle for lifting the infant bed. Moreover, the mounting brackets are positioned closer to the head end of the bed, so that the center of gravity of the bed is displaced from the pivot axis of the safety bar. Thus the safety bar is clearly designed not to be used as a carrying handle. 
         [0014]    However, a spring ball detent mechanism in each mounting bracket holds the safety bar at one or more predetermined angular orientations in snap-release fashion. One such angular orientation is the central portion of the safety bar directly above the head area of the infant and the legs disposed generally vertically, thus providing maximum resistance to pillows, bedclothes, and the like that may otherwise fall onto the head or face of the infant. The safety bar assembly may also be provided with a night light disposed in the central tubular portion. With the central tubular portion disposed above the infant, the night light is actuatable to illuminate the face of the infant at rest in the infant bed. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the frame structure of the infant bed of the present invention, shown with the safety bar in the erect disposition. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the frame structure of the infant bed as in  FIG. 1 , shown with the safety bar pivoted to the forward position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the frame structure of in the infant bed similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , with the safety bar in exploded view and a fabric cover assembly enclosing the frame structure and defining a foot end wall. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the frame structure of the infant bed, in which the side panel components are separable from the frame and joined thereto by a fabric cover assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective view of the safety bar mounting engagement. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the frame structure of the infant bed in which the side walls include removable panel portions. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the frame embodiment of  FIG. 8 , showing the removable panel portions separated from the frame assembly. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the frame structure of the infant bed in which the side walls include removable hinged extension portions. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the frame embodiment of  FIG. 10 , showing the removable panel portions separated from the frame assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of a representative hinge assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the frame of the infant bed in which the floor of the bed slopes upwardly toward the head end. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the frame of the infant bed in which the side panel extensions telescope with their respective side panels, and a fabric cover joins the components and forms a foot end wall. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the frame structure of  FIG. 14 , shown with the side panel extensions fully deployed. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of the clip-engaged side walls, taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The present invention generally comprises an infant bed that is designed for use in co-sleeping, in which the infant bed resides in the bed of a parent or other adult. With regard to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of the infant bed includes a frame assembly  21  comprised of a rectangular base panel  22  and a head end wall  23  extending upwardly from the head edge of the panel  22 . A pair of side panels  24  and  26  extending upwardly from the opposed side edges of base panel  22 , and join the end wall  23  to form a coffer-like protected space  30 . The panels are provided with reinforcing ribs  27  and lightening holes  28 , as are well known in the prior art. Further, the upper panel edges are provided with a tubular lip  29  extending along the upper distal edges of the panels  23 ,  24 , and  26 . Indeed, the reinforcing effect of end wall  23  joined to the side panels, together with the integral tubular lip, provides a structure that has significant resistance to deflection under vertical force. Thus an infant supported within a bed defined by the frame structure  21  is afforded substantial protection from the accidental and incidental impingement by adult bodies that may occur in a co-sleeping situation. The frame structure  21  may be enclosed in a fabric cover  31 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The fabric cover provides a soft surface treatment and may include a mattress pad, side pads, and other such features to enhance the comfort of the infant. Such features are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,715 mentioned above and incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0034]    The head end wall, side panels, and base panel may be formed integrally by injection molding of polymer material, stamping of sheet metal or the like, or by assembly of the separate components using adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or the like. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame structure  21  is depicted as integrally molded polymer material. 
         [0035]    A salient feature of the infant bed is the provision of a safety bar assembly  41 . In general, the safety bar assembly may comprise any arched or hoped structure that supports a hood-like structural arrangement, such as those common to baby carriages and the like, to divert objects that could impinge on the face or head of the infant within the infant bed. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , the safety bar  41  is comprised of a tubular central portion  42 , and a pair of parallel legs  43  extending from opposed ends of the central portion  42 . A pair of mounting brackets  44  is provided, each secured to an outer surface of a respective side wall  24  and  26 . The distal end of each leg  43  is received in a respective one of the mounting brackets  44 . The mounting arrangement is configured so that the central portion  42  of the safety bar may be deployed across the area of the space  30  wherein the head of the infant will be resting. As explained below, the mounting system is designed to enable the safety bar to remain with the legs thereof in a generally vertical position to deflect pillows and other objects that might otherwise fall onto the face or head of the infant within the infant bed. 
         [0036]    In this regard it may be noted that the mounting brackets  44  are not centered along the length of the respective sidewall  24  or  26 . Rather, the brackets  44  are disposed adjacent to the portion of volume  30  in which the infant&#39;s head will be resting. This placement enables the safety bar  41  to be deployed to maximum effect when the legs  43  thereof are extending generally vertically upwardly from the mounting brackets  44 , so that the central portion  42  extends over the head of the infant for protection and the legs are oriented to resist any vertical loads from objects falling onto the safety bar. 
         [0037]    With regard to  FIG. 6 , the mounting bracket  44  comprises a lug protruding from the sidewall and having a slot  47  formed therein generally parallel to the sidewall. A keyway  46  extends generally vertically in the lug in communication with the slot  47 . Each leg  43  includes a spade lug  48  at the distal end thereof, the spade being dimensioned to be received in the slot  47 . A key  49  protrudes from the lug  48 , and is formed in complementary fashion to keyway  46 , so that the spade lug and key may be inserted vertically into the slot and keyway. Likewise, the spade lug and key may be withdrawn vertically from the slot and keyway. As shown in  FIG. 3 , within the bracket  44  there is an interior arcuate space  51  in which the key  49  may pivot after insertion through the keyway  46 . As a result, the legs of the safety bar may rotate within the mounting bracket  44  to permit the safety bar to rotate between the positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In addition, the mounting bracket is provided with a ball detent mechanism  52  which interacts with recesses  53  on the spade lug  48  ( FIG. 6 ), so that the safety bar is maintained at at least one predetermined angular relationship, such as the vertical position of maximum protection. 
         [0038]    The safety bar may also be provided with a light  54  secured in the middle of the central portion  42  of the safety bar. The light may be actuated selectively so that the parent or other adult may be able to view the face of the infant at rest in the infant bed  21 . The light power supply (battery or the like) and switch may be installed within the tubular structure of the safety bar, using techniques well known in the prior art. The safety bar  41  may also be used to suspend a toy or other visually stimulating object within the view of the infant at rest in the bed of the invention. 
         [0039]    With regard to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a further embodiment  21   a  of the frame structure includes a rectangular base panel  22   a  and a separate head end wall  23   a  extending upwardly from the head edge of the panel  22 . A pair of separate side panels  24   a  and  26   a  extending upwardly from the opposed side edges of base panel  22   a,  and join the end wall  23   a  to form a coffer-like protected space  30   a.  The panels are provided with reinforcing ribs  27   a  and lightening holes  28   a  as described previously, as are well known in the prior art. Further, the upper panel edges are provided with a tubular lip  29   a  extending along the upper distal edges of the panels  23   a,    24   a,  and  26   a.  The safety bar  41  and the mounting brackets  44  are provided as described previously. In this embodiment, the frame components are not integrally formed; rather, the fabric cover  31  encloses the frame components and secures then in an assembly that provides protection for the infant resting within the infant bed. The fabric cover  31  includes a portion that spans the distal ends of the side panels and the base panel, and so forms an end wall at the foot of the bed. This foot end wall completes the enclosure of the coffer-like space  30   a  and secures the infant within the bed. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the tubular lip  29   a  of the head end wall  23   a  includes opposite end portions that curve approximately 90° to align with the tubular lip portions of the adjacent side panels  24   a  and  26   a.  Indeed, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the adjacent tubular lip portions of the side panels and head end wall are disposed to interlock when the panels are assembled, thereby to secure the components and augment the vertical load-bearing strength of the frame assembly. The fabric cover  31  may be joined together with straps (including Velcro or snap fasteners) or zippers or the like, as shown in  FIG. 4 , so that the frame components are joined to act cooperatively in a structure that is very resistant to vertical loads or lateral loads that might otherwise be imparted by the adults sleeping adjacent to the infant bed of the invention. The fabric cover may be opened and separated from the frame components for laundering, or for transporting the infant bed in a knock-down disposition. 
         [0041]    With regard to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a further embodiment of the invention provides a frame structure  21   b  that includes a rectangular base panel  22   b  and a separate head end wall  23   b  extending upwardly from the head edge of the panel  22   b.  A pair of separate side panels  24   b  and  26   b  extending upwardly from the opposed side edges of base panel  22   b,  and join the end wall  23   b  to form a coffer-like protected space  30   b.  The panels are provided with reinforcing ribs  27   b  and lightening holes  28   b  as described previously, as are well known in the prior art. Further, the upper panel edges are provided with a tubular lip  29   b  extending along the upper distal edges of the panels  23   b,    24   b,  and  26   b.  The safety bar  41  and the mounting brackets  44  are provided as described previously. In this embodiment, the frame components are not completely integrally formed; rather, the side panels  24   b  and  26   b  are foreshortened, and separate side panel extensions  24   b ′ and  26   b ′ are provided. 
         [0042]    The side panel extensions are joined to the remaining integral frame structure by any of the methods and structures shown herein. For example, as described before, a fabric cover  31  may be fashioned to enclose the frame components and secure then in an assembly that provides protection and comfort for the infant resting within the infant bed. The integrally formed head end wall, base panel, and foreshortened side panels  24   b  and  26   b  combine to form a strong structure that is highly resistant to lateral compression and vertical loads, and will protect the infant very well. Note also that the mounting brackets  44  extend from the side panels  24   b  and  26   b,  and the safety bar  41  is secured thereto to further protect the infant. The separate panel extensions  24   b ′ and  26   b ′ permit some yielding of the sides of the infant bed in the area of the legs and feet of the infant, a location that poses far less threat of injury to the infant. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a further embodiment of the invention provides a frame structure  21   b  that is very similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and is accorded the same reference numerals for the same components. In this embodiment, the side panel extensions  24   b ′ and  26   b ′ are secured with hinges  61  to the distal side edges of the base panel  22   b.  In particular, each side panel extension is provided at its lower edge with at least one hinge component consisting of a separable male hinge half, and each distal edge of the base panel  22   b  is provided with at least one hinge component consisting of the separable complementary female hinge component, so that the hinge components may be joined as the confronting edges of the side panel extensions and the base panel are translated together ( FIG. 12 ). The hinged connections enable the side panel extensions to be deflected somewhat by the imposition of lateral force or vertical loads, but the structural effect of the fabric cover secures the side panel extensions in place without collapsing or otherwise threatening the well-being of the infant in repose in the bed. Once again the portion of the fabric cover  31  that spans the distal ends of the side panel extensions and base panel defines a foot end wall that secures the infant within the confines of the infant bed. 
         [0044]    A further embodiment of this concept is depicted in  FIG. 14 , including a frame structure  21   b  that is very similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-11 , and is once again accorded the same reference numerals for the same components. In this embodiment the side panels  24   b  and  26   b  are foreshortened, and the side panel extensions  24   b ′ and  26   b ′ are designed to slidably extend from their respective side panels. The tubular lips at the upper edges of each side panel and side panel extension are formed to be slidably telescoped together ( FIG. 16 ), whereby the extension may be slidably moved toward the distal end of the base panel. In addition, the lower edge of each side panel extension is provided with at least one edge clamp fitting  71  ( FIG. 18 ) that is adapted to resiliently clamp onto any portion of the side edge of base panel  22   b.  Thus each side panel extension may be disposed at any position along the respective side edge of the base panel. 
         [0045]    Thus, for example, when the infant is newborn and rather small, the side panel extensions are disposed proximally, which reinforces the upper area where the infant is located. As the child grows, and more space is required, the side panel extensions may be moved distally, increasing the effective length of the sides and increasing the volume of the protected space  30   b.  Eventually, the side panel extensions may be fully extended, as shown in  FIG. 15  to maximize the capacity of the infant bed. 
         [0046]    A further embodiment  21   c  of the infant bed, shown in  FIG. 13 , is notable for the base panel  22   c  sloping upwardly between side panels  24   c  and  26   c,  with head end wall  23   c  joining the ends of the side panels and base panel. The slope of the base panel maintains the head of the sleeping infant in an elevated condition, which may be desired to facilitate unimpeded breathing by the infant. The side panels are foreshortened as in previous embodiments, and the side panel extensions are eliminated. The lower edges of the side panels and end wall are disposed in a common nominal plane to engage a supporting flat surface in a stable manner. The safety bar  41  and mounting brackets  44  are provided substantially as described previously to protect the head area of the infant. 
         [0047]    It should be emphasized that all of the embodiments of frame structures shown herein may be used advantageously with a fabric cover assembly that also supports other features such as pads, mattress, foot end wall, and the like. 
         [0048]    Thus the present invention provides an infant bed that is designed to enhance the safety and protection of the infant, so that it may be used in a co-sleeping arrangement. The strong frame structure, the safety bar, and the fabric cover combine to produce a superior infant bed construction. 
         [0049]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The embodiment described is selected to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular purpose contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Category: 1