SAFETY BLANKET ASSEMBLY
A safety blanket assembly includes a blanket and a frame that engages the blanket to limit the distortion or bundling of the blanket. The blanket has an outer perimeter that is surrounded by a border to receive a substantially U-shaped frame. The frame is insertable into the hollow border of the blanket to keep three of the four sides of the blanket stiff and prevent the blanket from wrapping around a child covered by the blanket.
This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/687,682, filed on Jun. 6, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to blankets, and more specifically, to a safety blanket for use by an infant or child, and even more specifically, to a blanket that will not entangle and harm and infant or child.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONParents want to make sure that their infant or toddler is kept warm while reclining in a crib or bed, and therefore they frequently wrap their child in a blanket like an adult. However, one significant risk for babies while in a crib is suffocation in soft bedding, such as quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillows, pillow-like stuffed toys, and other soft products that may keep the baby from breathing easily. With respect to blankets and quilts, the infant may easily entangle himself or herself as the baby rolls in the crib, thereby creating an opportunity for suffocation in the proximate sheet. Consequently, experts recommend that if a blanket or sheet is to be used in a crib, the parents should make sure the blanket is tucked in around the crib mattress to prevent the infant from pulling it forward above the infant's chest. Even with such instructions and warnings, it is still possible for the sheet to become un-tucked and flexible for the baby to pull around his or her head, once again endangering the child.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA safety blanket assembly is described that helps to keep infants and children warm while protecting the child from suffocation and harm by restricting a blanket from twisting or tangling around the head of the covered child. The safety blanket assembly includes the blanket and a frame that engages the blanket to limit the distortion or bundling of the blanket by the covered infant. The blanket has an outer perimeter that is surrounded by a border to receive the frame. The frame is substantially U-shaped, and therefore insertable into the hollow border of the blanket to keep three of the four sides of the blanket stiff and prevent the blanket from wrapping around the child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA safety blanket embodying the features of the present invention is depicted in the accompanying drawings, which form a portion of this disclosure, wherein:
The present invention of a safety blanket assembly 10 is illustrated in
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A portion or all of the frame 14 may be covered with a padded material 18, such as foam, which would is further encased by the border 16 (see
A zipper 20 or other connection member may be sewn in the bottom border 16b adjacent the bottom of the safety blanket 12. The zipper 20 secures the frame 14 within the border 16 of the safety blanket assembly 12 after it has been inserted into the safety blanket 12.
To insert the frame 14 into the safety blanket 12, the user will unzip or disconnect the zippered edge along the bottom border 16b. The user will then align the free ends of the arms 14a of the frame 14 with the open satin border 16 of the safety blanket 12, and the frame 14 is then slid into the openings of the border 16 along the length of the safety blanket 12 and according to the length of the arms 14a of the frame 14. The zipper 20 is then zipped to close the bottom edge 16b of the safety blanket 12, so that the safety blanket 12 has a substantially firm or rigid edge along two sides and base of the safety blanket 12 to prevent the safety blanket 12 from being bundled together The frame 14 could then be removed as necessary when it is time to launder or store the blanket 12.
Consequently, when the safety blanket assembly 10 is assembled, it may be placed on the chest of an infant or child to warm and protect the infant while keeping the blanket 12 in a substantially stretched position. While stretched by the frame 14, the infant will not be able to become entangled in the blanket 12 as the infant moves about in the crib, allowing parents to be confident that the infant will not suffocate or be harmed by having such a blanket 12 in the child's crib.
While this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A safety blanket assembly for protecting a child from suffocation comprising:
- a blanket having an outer perimeter;
- a hollow border surrounding the outer perimeter of said blanket; and
- a frame insertable into the hollow border to prevent said blanket from wrapping around the child.
2. The safety blanket assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises:
- a base; and
- two cantilever arms extending from said base in the same direction.
3. The safety blanket assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame is substantially U-shaped.
4. The safety blanket assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame is substantially rigid.
5. The safety blanket assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said frame is covered with a padded material.
6. The safety blanket assembly of claim 1 wherein said blanket comprises a top layer and a bottom layer.
7. The safety blanket assembly of claim 6 further comprising a cushioning material between said top layer and said bottom layer.
8. The safety blanket assembly of claim 1 wherein said border comprises:
- a hollow bottom border portion; and
- a connector extending along said bottom border portion to open said bottom border portion.
9. The safety blanket assembly of claim 8 wherein said connector comprises a zipper.
10. A safety blanket assembly for protecting a child from suffocation comprising:
- a hollow blanket having a top layer and a bottom layer, said hollow blanket having an outer perimeter; and
- a frame insertable into the hollow blanket to prevent said blanket from wrapping around the child.
11. The safety blanket assembly of claim 10, wherein said frame comprises:
- a base; and
- two cantilever arms extending from said base in the same direction.
12. The safety blanket assembly of claim 10, wherein said frame is substantially U-shaped.
13. The safety blanket assembly of claim 10, wherein said frame is substantially rigid.
14. The safety blanket assembly of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said frame is covered with a padded material.
15. The safety blanket assembly of claim 10 further comprising a cushioning material between said top layer and said bottom layer of said blanket.
16. The safety blanket assembly of claim 10 further comprising a seam proximate outer perimeter of said hollow blanket, said seam forming a border about said outer perimeter.
17. The safety blanket assembly of claim 16 wherein said border comprises a hollow bottom border portion and a connector sealing said bottom border portion.
18. The safety blanket assembly of claim 17 wherein said connector comprises a zipper.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 6, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 7, 2006
Inventor: Billy Boyd (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Application Number: 11/422,493
International Classification: A47G 9/02 (20060101);