CRIB BUMPER HAVING A BOTTOM SECURING PANEL AND SECURING STRAPS

Abstract

A crib bumper (1) having a bottom securing panel (14) that rests under a crib mattress (3) and fully separates the crib mattress from a crib (2), thereby securing the bottom of the crib bumper in place. A perimeter wall (19) of the crib bumper extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the mattress and the crib slats (10) and up the crib slats a predetermined distance, thereby preventing any spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress that a baby could become trapped in. The perimeter wall of the crib bumper is secured to the slats using securing straps (23, 24) and hook and loop fasteners. The strap are located on an outer surface of the perimeter wall, thereby making the securing straps inaccessible to a baby in the crib. Although the sidewall of the crib bumper may be made out of a padded cloth material, the sides are preferably made of a mesh material (28) that will allow airflow through the sides of the crib bumper into the crib.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to crib bumpers, more particularly, a crib bumper having a bottom securing panel that separates a crib mattress from the crib, thereby securing the bottom of the crib bumper to the crib and securing straps for safely securing the upper portion of the crib bumper to the crib.

Conventional crib bumpers are normally elongated strips of a quilted cloth material that are secured around the inner perimeters of cribs above crib mattress. Crib bumpers are used to pad the sides of a crib to prevent babies from hurting themselves and to prevent a baby's arms and/or legs from becoming stuck in-between the slats of the crib. Unfortunately there are many safety concerns with current crib bumpers. The main safety concern is the risk of strangulation if a baby becomes trapped in between the crib bumper and the crib mattress. Another major safety concern is sudden infant death syndrome (“SIDS”) which occurs when a baby has a decreased supply of oxygen. Many health professionals believe that when babies are overheated or lack sufficient oxygen during sleep, they become unable to arouse themselves enough to prevent hypoxia and death. This is why it is important that crib bumpers do not inhibit air circulation. An even further problem with current crib bumpers is that they are attached to the crib slats using long ties which can pose a risk of strangulation to babies.

Therefore, a need exists for a safer crib bumper that extends underneath the mattress thereby eliminating any spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress that a baby can become stuck in, a crib bumper that allows for air flow into the crib, and a crib bumper that attaches to the slats of the crib with a securing means that does not pose a health risk to babies.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Pat. No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date
7,523,513	Waters et al.	04-28-2009
7,404,219	Berkey	07-29-2008
2008/00334499	Parish et al.	02-14-2008
2006/0075555	Komisar	04-13-2006
7,003,821	DeHart et al.	02-28-2006
6,957,455	Misson	10-25-2005
6,957,464	Coauette	10-25-2005
6,684,437	Koenig	02-03-2004
6,438,775	Koenig	08-27-2002
6,421,857	Whatman et al.	07-23-2002
6,178,573	Wagner et al.	01-30-2001
6,055,690	Koenig	05-02-2000
5,937,458	DeRosa	08-17-1999
5,933,885	Glassford	08-10-1999
D365,957	Ferrari	01-09-1996
5,241,718	Pope	09-07-1993
5,010,611	Mallett	04-30-1991
4,670,923	Gabriel et al.	06-09-1987
4,370,765	Webber	02-01-1983
3,619,824	Doyle	11-16-1971
3,137,870	Fink	06-23-1964

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a crib bumper that extends underneath the mattress thereby eliminating any spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress that a baby can become stuck in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crib bumper that allows for air flow into the crib.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a crib bumper that attaches to the slats of the crib with a securing means that does not pose a health risk to babies.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a crib bumper having a bottom securing panel that rests under a crib mattress and fully separates the crib mattress from the crib, thereby securing the bottom of the crib bumper in place. A perimeter wall of the crib bumper extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the mattress and the crib slats and up the crib slats a predetermined distance, thereby preventing any spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress that a baby could become trapped in. The perimeter wall of the crib bumper is secured to the slats using securing straps and hook and loop fasteners. The securing straps are located on an outer surface of the perimeter wall, thereby making the securing straps inaccessible to a baby in the crib. Although the sides of the crib bumper may be made out of a padded cloth material, the sides are preferably made of a mesh material that will allow airflow through the sides of the crib bumper into the crib.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a crib bumper of the present invention, a crib and a crib mattress;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crib having a crib bumper of the present invention secured thereto;

FIG. 3 is a front cutaway view of a crib having a crib bumper of the present invention secured thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of a crib having a crib bumper of the present invention secured thereto; and

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a head board and a corner post of a crib having a crib bumper of the present invention secured thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

• 1. crib bumper
• 2. crib
• 3. mattress
• 4. mattress support
• 5. corner posts
• 6. first side board
• 7. second side board
• 8. headboard
• 9. foot board
• 10. slat
• 11. bottom surface
• 12. top surface
• 13. mattress side
• 14. bottom securing panel
• 15. first side wall
• 16. second side wall
• 17. head wall
• 18. foot wall
• 19. perimeter wall
• 20. inner surface
• 21. outer surface
• 22. securing means
• 23. first securing strap
• 24. second securing strap
• 25. attachment means
• 26. upper edge
• 27. lower portion
• 28. mesh
• 29. cloth

With reference to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of a crib bumper 1 of the present invention, a crib 2 and a crib mattress 3 are shown. The crib 2 has a mattress support 4, corner posts 5, a first side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7 having a plurality of slats 10, a head board 8 having a plurality of slats 10 and a foot board 9 having a plurality of slats 10. The mattress 3 has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 11, and sides 13. The crib bumper 1 has a bottom securing panel 14 that fits between the bottom surface 11 of the mattress 3 and the mattress support 4, thereby completely separating said mattress 3 and mattress support 4. A first side wall 15, a second side wall 16, a head wall 17 and a foot wall 18 all extend upward from the bottom securing panel 14, thereby forming a perimeter wall 19 having an inner surface 20 and outer surface 21. At least one securing means 22 for securing the perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is located on the outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. As shown here, the securing means is a first securing strap 23 and a second securing strap 24 that are placed around a slat 10 or corner post 5 and attached to each other with an attachment means 25, such as a hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, etc. The perimeter 19 wall may be made of a cloth 29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a crib 2 having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is shown. The crib 2 has corner posts 5, a first side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7 having a plurality of slats 10, a head board 8 having a plurality of slats 10 and a foot board 9 having a plurality of slats 10. The crib bumper 1 has a bottom securing panel 14 that fits between a bottom surface 11 of a mattress 3 and the crib 2, thereby completely separating the bottom surface 11 of the mattress 3 and the crib 2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A first side wall 15 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the first side board 6 of the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. A second side wall 16 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the second side board 7 of the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. A head wall 17 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the head board 8 of the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. A foot wall 18 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the foot board 9 of the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. The first side wall 15, second side wall 16, head wall 17 and foot wall 18 form a perimeter wall 19 having an inner surface 20, and outer surface 21. At least one securing means 22 securing the perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is located on the outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. As shown here, the securing means is a first securing strap 23 and a second securing strap 24 that are placed around a slat 10 or corner post 5 and attached to each other with an attachment means 25, such as a hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, etc., as shown in FIG. 5 The perimeter wall 19 may be made of a cloth 29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a front cutaway view of a crib 2 having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is shown. The crib 2 has a mattress support 4, corner posts 5, a first side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7 having a plurality of slats 10 and a foot board 9 having a plurality of slats 10. The mattress 3 has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 11, and sides 13. The crib bumper 1 has a bottom securing panel 14 that fits between the bottom surface 11 of the mattress 3 and the mattress support 4, thereby completely separating said mattress 3 and mattress support 4 and securing the crib bumper 1 in place. A perimeter wall 19 having an inner surface 20, and outer surface 21 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. At least one securing means 22 secures the perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is located on the outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. The perimeter wall 19 may be made of cloth 29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a side cutaway view of a crib 2 having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is shown. The crib 2 has a mattress support 4 corner posts 5, a first side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7 having a plurality of slats 10, a head board 8 having a plurality of slats and a foot board 9 having a plurality of slats 10. The mattress 3 has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 11, and sides 13. The crib bumper 1 has a bottom securing panel 14 that fits between the bottom surface 11 of the mattress 3 and the mattress support 4, thereby completely separating said mattress 3 and mattress support 4 and securing the crib bumper 1 in place. A perimeter wall 19 having an inner surface 20, and outer surface 21 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. At least one securing means 22 secures the perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is located on the outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. The perimeter wall 19 may be made of cloth 29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.

Finally, referring to FIG. 5, a partial plan view of a head board 8 and a corner post of a crib 2 having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is shown. At least one securing means 22 securing a perimeter wall 19 of a crib bumper 1 to vertical slats 10 and the corner post 5 of the crib 2 is located on an outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. The securing means is a first securing strap 23 and a second securing strap 24 that are placed around a slat 10 and attached to each other with an attachment means 25, such as a hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, etc. The perimeter wall 19 wall may be made of cloth 29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A crib bumper for use in a crib with a mattress having a bottom surface a top surface and sides, a mattress support, corner posts, a first side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a second side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a head board having a plurality of vertical slats and a foot board having a plurality of vertical slats, said crib bumper comprising:

a bottom securing panel that fits between the bottom surface of said mattress and the mattress support;

a first side wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the first side board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a second side wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the second side board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a head wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the head board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a foot wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the foot board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

said first side wall, second side wall, head wall and foot wall creating a perimeter wall having an inner surface, outer surface and upper edge; and

at least one securing means located on the outer surface of the perimeter wall for securing the perimeter wall to the vertical slats and corner posts of the crib.

2. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein:

said perimeter wall is made of a mesh material.

3. The crib bumper of claim 2 wherein:

the upper edge made of the perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.

4. The crib bumper of claim 3 wherein:

said at least one securing means is located proximate to the upper edge of the outer surface of the perimeter wall.

5. The crib bumper of claim 2 wherein:

said perimeter wall has a lower portion made of a cloth-like material located between the mattress and the slats.

6. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein:

said perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.

7. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein:

said perimeter wall is made of a quilted material.

8. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one securing means is at least one securing strap having an attachment means located thereon.

9. The crib bumper of claim 4 wherein:

said at least one securing means is at least one securing strap having an attachment means located thereon.

10. A crib bumper for use in a crib with a mattress having a bottom surface a top surface and sides, a mattress support, corner posts, a first side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a second side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a head board having a plurality of vertical slats and a foot board having a plurality of vertical slats, said crib bumper comprising:

a bottom securing panel that fits between the bottom surface of said mattress and the mattress support;

a first side wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the first side board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a second side wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the second side board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a head wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the head board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a foot wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the foot board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

said first side wall, second side wall, head wall and foot wall creating a perimeter wall having an inner surface, outer surface and upper edge; and

at least one securing means located on the outer surface of the perimeter wall for securing the perimeter wall to the vertical slats and corner posts of the crib, wherein said at least one securing means is at least one securing strap having an attachment means located thereon.

11. The crib bumper of claim 10 wherein:

said perimeter wall is made of a mesh material.

12. The crib bumper of claim 11 wherein:

the upper edge made of the perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.

13. The crib bumper of claim 12 wherein:

said at least one securing means is located proximate to the upper edge of the outer surface of the perimeter wall.

14. The crib bumper of claim 11 wherein:

said perimeter wall has a lower portion made of a cloth-like material located between the mattress and the slats.

15. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein:

said perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.

16. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein:

said perimeter wall is made of a quilted material.

17. A crib bumper for use in a crib with a mattress having a bottom surface a top surface and sides, a mattress support, corner posts, a first side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a second side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a head board having a plurality of vertical slats and a foot board having a plurality of vertical slats, said crib bumper comprising:

a bottom securing panel that fits between the bottom surface of said mattress and the mattress support;

a first side wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the first side board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a second side wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the second side board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a head wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the head board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

a foot wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the mattress and the foot board of the crib and above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;

said first side wall, second side wall, head wall and foot wall creating a perimeter wall made of a mesh material having an inner surface, outer surface and upper edge; and

at least one securing means located on the outer surface of the perimeter wall for securing the perimeter wall to the vertical slats and corner posts of the crib, wherein said at least one securing means is at least one securing strap having an attachment means attachment means located thereon.

18. The crib bumper of claim 17 wherein:

the upper edge made of the perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.

19. The crib bumper of claim 18 wherein:

said at least one securing means is located proximate to the upper edge of the outer surface of the perimeter wall.

20. The crib bumper of claim 17 wherein:

said perimeter wall has a lower portion made of a cloth-like material located between the mattress and the slats.