SAFETY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PORTABLE, FOLDABLE PLAYARDS AND PLAYPENS
A sheet for covering a mattress having at least one strap attached to the mattress that includes openings that accommodate strap or that includes markings for such openings. A pattern for making such openings. The sheet further includes a first end, and a second end. The sheet has openings or pockets in the first end and in the second end to allow the at least one strap attached to the mattress to pass through the sheet. The at least one strap is for securing the mattress.
Various embodiments described herein relate to a safety apparatus for portable, foldable playard or playpen. Various embodiments described herein also relate to a method to promote safe use of a portable, foldable playard or playpen.
BACKGROUNDSudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. SIDS is sometimes known as crib death because the infants often die in their cribs. SIDs can also occur in playards or playpens, including the portable and foldable type. In fact, many times the playards and playpens are used as a substitute for a crib. In fact, some manufacturers include various options, such as a bassinet specifically designed to fold with the playard for easy set up and take down.
Although the cause is unknown, it appears that SIDS may be associated with abnormalities in the portion of an infant's brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep.
Researchers have discovered some factors that may put babies at extra risk. Researchers also identified some measures you can take to help protect your child from SIDS. Perhaps the most important measure is placing your baby on his or her back to sleep.
The manufacturers of portable, foldable playards or playpens also include warnings. In one manual, the warning entitled “Avoiding Suffocation Hazards”. The warning from one manufacturer specifically states includes a warning regarding thicker mattresses than those provided or even the use of pillows.
There is also a warning against using a sheet. The warning states “Never use a playard sheet unless it fits securely on playard mattress.” Most manufactures of the portable, foldable playards or playpens sell a fitted sheet for their models of the portable, foldable playards or playpens. There are several manufacturers of portable, foldable playards or playpens. The dimensions of the mattresses for each manufacturer tends to vary slightly. Still other manufactures sell generic playard sheets that may fit more than one portable, foldable playard or playpen. Most if not all of the sheets are fitted. The fitted sheet includes elastic corners. Some fitted sheets also include elastic on one or two of the other edges. The elastic allows the sheet to fit over the mattress. The elastic “shrinks” the dimension associated with the edges and corner of the sheet so that it retracts to a position under the mattress.
Even though fitted sheets are sold and used on a playard or playpen, some regulatory bodies prohibit the use of such sheets. For example, the state of Minnesota in the USA has rules that govern childcare providers. Daycare providers are licensed in Minnesota and undergo periodic inspections in order to maintain their licenses, MN Rule 9502.0425, Subparagraph 9 includes rules on bedding and the like. Inspectors enforce these rules and require daycare providers to go through a series of rigorous processes, including training classes, for preventing suffocation and SIDs. The inspectors also require daycare providers to follow the recommendations of the CPSC and AAP. In the past, the inspectors would not allow daycare providers the use of the fitted sheets as children might get these off the mattress and pose a suffocation hazard. More recently, the governing body for licensing daycare sent out a letters to daycare providers regarding the use of fitted sheets in playards and playpens.
The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the figures and:
The description set out herein illustrates the various embodiments of the invention and such description is not intended to be construed as limiting in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe detailed description includes a general description of a foldable, portable playard apparatus that includes a sectioned mattress that folds around a folded playard. The mattress folds around the folded playard and attaches to itself to form a tube or rectangular container for the playard. Foldable and portable playards are made by many manufacturers these days. Graco Children's Products, Inc. of Atlanta Ga. USA is one manufacturer. Other manufacturers include Costco and Baby Trend. Most of the foldable and portable playards work in a similar way and generally have slightly different dimensions.
Mattress assembly examples from one or more playard manufacturers are disclosed and described herein. In one example, a disclosed mattress assembly is a lightweight product with a sturdy support structure and a detachable mattress pad. The support structure and pad can be assembled and folded to a configuration to surround a collapsed playard as is known in the art. The mattress pad can be easily removed from the support structure so that it can be cleaned and replaced on the support structure, or even selectively interchanged with an alternate mattress pad.
Turning now to the drawings,
One type of product that utilizes this type of mattress is configured to create a contained child play area and is commonly known as a playard. A generically configured, well-known playard 26, other than the removable mattress assembly 20 of the invention, is illustrated in
The playard 26 also has a side wall and a bottom as shown in
The mattress is removable from and insertable into the playard 26, as shown in
A mattress in this type of playard typically has a plurality of sections foldable relative to one another but interconnected with one another. Each section typically has a substantially rigid panel adjacent padding or cushion material, and may have an inner liner material, as well. Each component is sewn within an outer layer of material. The sections are sewn together within the outer liner material to form an integral mattress structure that is not intended to be broken down. Thus, the panels, inner material layers, and padding of a conventional mattress can not be removed from the outer fabric layer.
Without going into any particular detail, the playard 26 is foldable to a collapsed, portable configuration. The top links 32 and bottom frame (not shown) can fold upward or downward and inward bringing the four legs 28 closer together and generally parallel to one another as depicted in
As shown in
A plurality of fastening or latching devices can be formed on edges of the mattress as depicted in
Loops 48 can be sewn or otherwise secured via straps 49 on the opposite edge of the mattress. When the mattress assembly 20 is folded around the exterior of the collapsed playard structure, the hook and loop fastener straps 47 on one edge of the mattress can be threaded through the loops 48 and secured in place. Alternatively, straps can be provided on one edge of the mattress assembly with one part of a hook and loop fastener material. A strip of the mating part of the hook and loop fastener material can be provided on the opposite edge of the mattress assembly. It should also be noted that one edge of the mattress can carry one or more straps, and an opposite edge of the mattress can carry another one or more straps. The ends of the straps can include a portion of a hook and loop fastener. The straps can be attached to the mating hook and loop fastener material to assist in securely holding the mattress in place surrounding the collapsed playard. Other types of fastening or latching devices can also certainly be employed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, such as buckles, clamps, and the like.
It should be noted that the straps have two purposes. The first purpose, illustrated in
Many day care inspectors see this as a problem in that the sheet 700 is not securely fastened to the mattress 42. They believe that a mattress 42 having straps 49 that move the fitted sheet 700 toward the edge of the sheet 700 presents a safety hazard for small children placed in the playard. The inspectors believe that a small child is more likely able to remove the sheet 700 from the mattress 42 given the straps 49 give the child a “head start”. As a result, many inspectors do not allow the use of a sheet 700 covering the mattress 42 as it presents a potential hazard to a child within the playard. The more straps 49 that mattress 42 has, increases the likelihood that the sheet 700 will be removed from the mattress 42 since the child has an increased number of “starting points” for removing the sheet from the mattress 42.
The mattress 42 has a centerline 942 as shown in
In essence, openings 949 are made in the sheet 900 to accommodate and let the straps 49 pass through the openings 949. The straps 49 are passed through button holes in the playard and used to secure the mattress 42 to the playard. The openings 949 are positioned to correspond to the position of the straps 49 with respect to the mattress. The openings are positioned so that when the sheet 900 is placed on the mattress 42, the openings 949 are substantially adjacent the straps 49. Thus, the openings are perpendicular to the seams forming the corners of the fitted sheets 900. In addition, the openings are placed at a distance below the top of the sheet 900 that substantially equals the thickness of the mattress 42. The openings 949 are also offset from the centerline 942 of the mattress 42 at about the same distance as the centerline of the sheet when on the mattress. The opening 949 is also about the same length as the width of the strap 49. The opening 949, in some embodiments, is reinforced with stitching or another material such as interfacing or an adhesive. The opening 949 could also be bound with binding tape. When reinforced with stitching the opening 949 appears to be a larger button hole. Of course, different playards have different dimensions and the mattresses also have different dimensions. The fitted sheet for each of the various makes is provided with openings that substantially correspond to the position of the strap or straps of the mattress. Some have multiple straps and so the mattress will have at least the same number of openings to accommodate the straps.
In each of the above embodiments shown in
In another embodiment, the end of the sheet could be formed having a series of end to end slits or button holes. Such a structure could accommodate various positions of straps, but would probably be weaker than the sheet 1300 described above.
In summary, a sheet for covering a mattress has at least one strap attached to the mattress. The at least one strap is for securing the mattress. The sheet further includes a first end, and a second end. The sheet has openings in the first end and in the second end to allow the at least one strap attached to the mattress to pass through the sheet. In one embodiment, the sheet includes at least one opening on the first end of the sheet and at least one opening on the second end of the sheet. In another embodiment, the sheet includes a plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet. The plurality of openings are positioned to allow the at least one strap to pass through one of the plurality of openings in the sheet.
The sheet for covering a mattress includes a top portion having dimensions substantially similar to a major surface of the mattress. The covering for the mattress has the plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet at a distance from the top portion about equal to the thickness of the mattress. In one embodiment, the sheet is a fitted sheet having four corner seams and corners which are longer than thickness of the mattress. The fitted sheet also includes an elastic portion at least at the corners that causes the elastic portion to be positioned within the bounds of the corners of the sheet or mattress to which it fits.
In another embodiment, the sheet for covering the mattress further includes a top having dimensions to cover the top of a mattress, two long sides extending from the top and dimensioned to be longer than the thickness of the mattress, and at least one truncated end located between the two long sides. In other words, the truncated end traverses the short end of the mattress. The sheet for covering the mattress also includes a facing which overlaps the truncated end. The truncated end is tacked to the facing in at least one point to keep the facing in an overlapping orientation with respect to the truncated end at the site of the tack. The overlapping facing and truncated end form at least a first pocket and a second pocket through which the strap on the mattress can extend. The first pocket and the second pocket form elongated openings that can accommodate straps attached to a mattress at a variety of attachment points. In one embodiment, the facing is tacked to truncated end with a linear tack. The facing and the two long sides include portions of elastic. In one embodiment, the elastic spans the corner of the sheet. The elastic draws the corner over the bottom of the mattress to hinder the fitted sheet from coming off the mattress.
In another embodiment, wings and a connector are provided to attach the two long sides to one another to further hinder the sheet for covering the mattress from coming off the mattress. The sheet for covering the mattress further includes a first wing attached to a first free end of one of the two long sides extending from the top, and a second wing attached to a second free end of the other of the two long sides extending from the top. A connector connects the first wing to the second wing. In one embodiment, the connector is a tether having a first portion of hook and loop fastener attached to the first wing and a second portion of hook and loop fastener attached to the second wing. In still another embodiment, the tether includes a strap having a length in the range of 0.25 inches to 7 inches. In other words, the straps forming the tether are each in the range of 0.25 inches to 7 inches long. When the two straps are connected the resulting tether has a length in the range of 0.25 inches to 7 inches long.
A playard system includes a playard structure, and a mattress which is sized to fit in the playard structure. The mattress includes at least one strap for attaching the mattress to the playard structure. The system also includes a sheet for covering the mattress. The sheet has a first end, and a second end. The sheet has openings in the first end and the second end to allow the at least one strap attached to the mattress to pass through the sheet so that it can be attached to the playard structure. In one embodiment, the sheet for covering a mattress includes a plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet. In still another embodiment, the sheet for covering the mattress further comprises a top having dimensions to cover the top of a mattress, two long sides extending from the top and dimensioned to be longer than the thickness of the mattress, and at least one truncated end located between the two long sides. The sheet also includes a facing which overlaps the truncated end. The truncated end is tacked to the facing in at least one point to keep the facing in an overlapping orientation with respect to the truncated end. This forms at least a first pocket and a second pocket through which at least one strap can pass.
Also disclosed is pattern for a sheet for covering a mattress. The mattress has at least one strap attached to the mattress for securing the mattress. The pattern has at least one marking for an opening to accommodate the at least one strap attached to the mattress. The pattern is sized for a first end, and a second end of the sheet. In one embodiment, the pattern is printed onto the first end and the second end of the sheet. In another embodiment, a paper pattern is provided which a person can pin to the first end or second end of the sheet for covering a mattress.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments reveals the general nature of the invention sufficiently that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications without departing from the concept, and therefore such adaptations and modifications are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A sheet for covering a mattress having at least one strap attached to the mattress, the at least one strap for securing the mattress, the sheet further comprising:
- a first end; and
- a second end, the sheet having openings in the first end and the second end to allow the at least one strap attached to the mattress to pass through the sheet.
2. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 1 wherein the openings include at least one opening on the first end of the sheet and at least one opening on the second end of the sheet.
3. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 2 wherein the openings include a plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet, the plurality of openings positioned to allow the at least one strap to pass through one of the plurality of openings in the sheet.
4. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 1 wherein the openings include a plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet.
5. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 4 wherein the sheet includes a top portion having dimensions substantially similar to a major surface of the mattress, the covering for the mattress having the plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet at a distance from the top portion about equal to the thickness of the mattress.
6. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 1 wherein the sheet is a fitted sheet having four corner seams and corners which are longer than thickness of the mattress, the fitted sheet also including an elastic portion at least at the corners that causes the elastic portion to be positioned within the bounds of the corners of the sheet.
7. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 1 wherein the sheet for covering the mattress further comprises:
- a top having dimensions to cover the top of a mattress;
- two long sides extending from the top and dimensioned to be longer than the thickness of the mattress;
- at least one truncated end located between the two long sides; and
- a facing which overlaps the truncated end, the truncated end tacked to the facing in at least one point to keep the facing in an overlapping orientation with respect to the truncated end, and forming at least a first pocket and a second pocket.
8. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 7 wherein the facing is tacked to truncated end with a linear tack.
9. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 7 wherein the facing and the two long sides include portions of elastic.
10. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 7 further comprising:
- a first wing attached to a first free end of one of the two long sides extending from the top;
- a second wing attached to a second free end of the other of the two long sides extending from the top; and
- a connector for connecting the first wing to the second wing.
11. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 10 wherein the connector is a tether having a first portion of hook and loop fastener attached to the first wing and a second portion of hook and loop fastener attached to the second wing.
12. The sheet for covering a mattress of claim 11 wherein the tether includes a strap being 0.25 inches to 7 inches in length.
13. A playard system comprising:
- a playard structure;
- a mattress which is sized to fit in the playard structure, the mattress including at least one strap for attaching the mattress to the playard structure;
- a sheet for covering the mattress further comprising: a first end; and a second end, the sheet having openings in the first end and the second end to allow the at least one strap attached to the mattress to pass through the sheet so that it can be attached to the playard structure.
14. The playard system of claim 13 wherein the sheet for covering a mattress includes a plurality of openings on the first end of the sheet and a plurality of openings on the second end of the sheet.
15. The playard system of claim 13 wherein the sheet for covering the mattress further comprises:
- a top having dimensions to cover the top of a mattress;
- two long sides extending from the top and dimensioned to be longer than the thickness of the mattress;
- at least one truncated end located between the two long sides; and
- a facing which overlaps the truncated end, the truncated end tacked to the facing in at least one point to keep the facing in an overlapping orientation with respect to the truncated end, and forming at least a first pocket and a second pocket.
16. A pattern for a sheet for covering a mattress, the mattress having at least one strap attached to the mattress, the at least one strap for securing the mattress, the pattern having at least one marking for an opening to accommodate the at least one strap attached to the mattress to pass, the pattern sized for a first end, and a second end of the sheet.
17. The pattern of claim 16 wherein the pattern is printed onto at least one of the first end or the second end of the sheet for covering a mattress.
18. The pattern of claim 16 wherein the pattern is printed on paper and sized to fit onto at least one of the first end or the second end of the sheet.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 23, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2018
Inventor: Jennifer O'Malley (Edina, MN)
Application Number: 15/903,608