Crib height adjuster

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system for elevating the head of an infant during sleep. The system comprises a crib having four legs supporting a mattress surface. The surface is supported along a substantially horizontal plane, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the crib. A pair of first and second crib height adjusters are provided, configured to be placed under two of the legs at either end of the longitudinal axis of the crib. When said crib height adjusters are in place under the crib legs, the surface of the crib is elevated at one end of the longitudinal axis relative to the horizontal plane. This elevates the head of an infant sleeping on the surface from the horizontal plane to the same extent.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to a crib height adjuster. More specifically, the present application relates to a crib height adjuster for elevating a crib to assist a baby's breathing during sleep.

BACKGROUND

[0002] During the years spent in a crib, a child often has difficulty breathing due to colds or congestion. In order for the mucous congestion to drain, the child's head and upper body must be properly elevated.

[0003] In the past, cribs were sometimes fit with glass wheels that could be adjusted to different levels. However, such items are not standard on all cribs, and the specialized wheels add additional costs to the crib's manufacturing cost.

[0004] Most cribs produced today are manufactured in a single, level position. Attempting to elevate only one side of the crib is often difficult and cumbersome, and may even be dangerous if not properly secured. For example, typical means employed by parents to elevate one side of crib include the use of books, boxes or other household items.

[0005] These items are often difficult to manipulate under the crib as they are no designed for such purposes, often resulting in the one end of the crib being either insufficiently elevated or over elevated. Additionally, because most cribs manufactured today employ wheels, the mounting of such cribs on books or boxes is also dangerous, as the baby's movements in the crib may result in the wheels slipping off of the books or boxes, causing the crib to fall.

[0006] As such, a cost effective, durable and easy to use system is needed to provide for the elevation of the end of the crib.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention looks to overcome the drawbacks associated with prior art methods for elevating a crib. In doing so, the present invention, provides and inexpensive, versatile, safe and decorative means for elevating the end of crib.

[0008] To this end, the present invention provides for a system for elevating the head of an infant during sleep. A crib, is provided for use with a pair of first and second crib height adjusters. The first and second crib height adjusters are placed under two of the legs at either end of a longitudinal axis of the crib so that when the crib height adjusters are in place, the surface of the crib is elevated at one end so as to cause the head of an infant sleeping to be elevated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a crib height adjuster, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the crib height adjuster from FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the crib height adjuster from FIG. 1 having a crib wheel disposed therein in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of crib height adjusters in use with a crib, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4B is a close up perspective view of a crib height adjusters in use with a crib wheel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of crib height adjusters in use with a crib, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5 a crib height adjuster 10 configured to be placed under the leg of a crib 20 so as to upwardly adjust the leg of a crib.

[0016] In this respect, as illustrated in FIG. 1, crib height adjuster 10 is preferably constructed of durable pliant material capable of containing a filling material. Such items, used for construction, include but are not limited to velour, corduroy, denim, cotton fabrics, rubber, vinyl or polyester. Any similar material can be used so long as it is of sufficient durability to receive the weight of crib 20, with infant inside, and provided it is not made of a toxic or dangerous substance.

[0017] Typically, crib height adjuster 10 is in the form of a ball, or oval, however any shape may be used provided it is large enough to accept a wheel or leg 22 of crib 20. Crib height adjuster 10 may also be formed with a crib receiving area 12 on the top portion, configured to help center crib leg 22 on crib height adjuster 10, for maximum stability. Crib receiving area 12, may be made of a separate or special material from the rest of crib height adjuster 10 so as to provide extra durability to the area of incidence with crib leg 22. Alternatively, crib height adjuster 11 may simply identify crib receiving area 12 with a different color fabric or it may not even be identified at all.

[0018] Typically, crib height adjuster 10 is decorated so as to blend in with the décor of a baby's room decorations. For example, different colors or fabrics may be used for crib height adjuster 10 so that the colors and fabrics match those used inside the baby's crib or other fabrics around the room. Further to this end, decorative additions 14 may be added to the surface of crib height adjuster 10 so as to mimic other children's toys such as teddy bears.

[0019] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a decorative addition 14 is in the form of a bear head, so that when combined with crib height adjuster 10, the overall appearance is similar to that of children's plush toys. Other examples for decorative addition 14 include but are not limited to dogs, pigs, rabbits, airplanes, and other typical baby toy items.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, crib height adjuster 10 may be further fitted with a base pad 16 opposite crib receiving area 12. Base pad 16 may maintain added material so as to increase its sturdiness in connections with its constant friction with the floor. Furthermore, base pad 16 may be constructed as a non-slip pad, so as to further stabilize crib 20, preventing movement of crib legs 22.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a filling material 18 is used inside crib height adjuster 10. Filling material 18 can be made of material which is sufficiently strong to support the weight of crib 20, but is also sufficiently elastic to partially deform under the weigh of crib 20 so as to catch crib leg 22 and prevent it from moving. For example, filling material 18 for crib height adjuster 10 may include but is not limited to loose granular materials such as sand, gravel, beans, foam rubber chunks, crushable foam or gel.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 3 when crib leg 22 of crib 20 is placed in crib receiving area 12 of crib height adjuster, filler material 18 partially compresses, forming a well in crib receiving are 12 of crib height adjuster. Crib leg 22 is held in place on crib height adjuster 10, elevating crib leg 22 off of the ground, secured from movement in any direction. In this configuration, it is evident that crib height adjuster 10 is equally useful with cribs 20 having either wheeled or non-wheeled legs 22.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when in use, a pair of crib height adjusters 10 are obtained. Initially, a side of crib 20 is selected where the baby's head will rest. Crib 20 is then lifted on that end and one crib height adjuster 10 is placed under each of that side's crib leg 22, so that crib 20 is equally and proportionally elevated on the side where the baby's head will rest. Typically, crib height adjuster 10 will elevate one side of crib 20 so as to place the baby at a 3%-5% incline (relative to the horizontal axis A, parallel to the floor), however any level of incline caused by the use of similar crib height adjusters 10 is within the contemplation of the present invention.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the baby is placed in crib 20, with the head being on the side having the pair of crib height adjusters 10, the baby's head will be elevated on a mattress surface 15, such that the mucous will properly drain away from the baby's upper body, allowing for comfortable safer breathing throughout the night.

[0025] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for elevating the head of an infant during sleep, said system comprising:

a crib, said crib having four legs supporting a mattress surface, said surface being supported along a substantially horizontal plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of said crib; and

a pair of first and second crib height adjusters, said pair of crib height adjusters being made of fabric, said first and second crib height adjusters configured to be placed under two of said legs at either end of said longitudinal axis of said crib such that when said crib height adjusters are in place under said crib legs, said surface of said crib is elevated at one end of said longitudinal axis relative to said horizontal plane so as to cause the head of an infant sleeping on said surface to be elevated from said horizontal plane to the same extent.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said legs of said crib have wheels.

3. (cancelled without prejudice)

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fabric comprises any one of velour, corduroy, denim, cotton, rubber, vinyl or polyester.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crib height adjusters further comprise a filler element.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said filler element comprises any one of sand, gravel, beans, foam rubber chunks, crushable foam or crushable gel.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said filler element is compressible such that when said leg of said crib is placed on top of said crib height adjuster, said crib height adjuster partially deforms downward, trapping and securing said leg of said crib.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crib height adjuster further comprises a decorative addition.

9. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said decorative addition comprises any one of a bear, dog, pig, rabbit or airplane.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crib height adjuster further comprises a crib receiving area on the upper surface for accepting said leg of said crib.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said crib receiving area is constructed of a durable material separate from said fabric used to make said crib height adjusters.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crib height adjuster further comprises a base pad on its bottom surface.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said base pad is base pad is constructed of a durable, non-slip material separate from said fabric used to make said crib height adjusters.