FOLDABLE BABY REST AREA

Abstract

A baby rest area which includes a foldable area having a folded state and an unfolded state and includes a base having a perimeter and at least three walls. Each of the walls have a length dimension, a width dimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends along the width direction. Also included are at least three hinges and at least one of the hinges is disposed on at least one of the three walls. There is also a pad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfolded state. The at least three walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclose the base. Further, the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to baby and infant care and a portable controlled environment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Today's parents are very mobile and desire to travel many places even with a newborn or infant, e.g. a child typically 0-4 months old. However, once the parent arrives at their destination, the parent typically would like a place to put their child, especially if the child needs to rest. Carrying around the wide array of foldable playpens and chairs is bulky, cumbersome and sometimes intrusive. What is needed is a foldable, discrete, and lightweight area a parent can safely place their child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a baby rest area which includes a bag having an enclosure and a foldable area having a folded state to fit inside the enclosure. This enclosure can be at the bottom of the bag and separate from the main compartment of the bag. The foldable area has an unfolded state and includes a base having a perimeter and at least three walls. Each of the walls have a length dimension, a width dimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends along the width direction. More than three walls can be used, with three walls, the foldable area is shaped like a triangle. One wall can be used to form all three sides and that acts as three walls. The wall can also be circular, square, rectangular, or any trapezoidal shape.

Also included are at least three hinges and at least one of the hinges is disposed on at least one of the three walls. There is also a pad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfolded state.

The at least three walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclose the base. The walls are also disposed approximately perpendicular to the base along at least one of the second opposing ends. Thus, the width dimension becomes the height of the foldable area when in the unfolded state. The hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the walls to fold partially upon the same wall and reduce the length dimension of the walls. Thus, the walls can fold upon themselves and in one example, they can fold in half but in the unfolded state, the walls have a full length dimension and the base lies approximately flat. Further, the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

In another example, the baby rest area further has a pull tab disposed on the base. The pull tab, when pulled in a direction away from the base, causes the hinges to fold and assist in placing the foldable area in the folded state. This alleviates confusion and makes the folding process faster and easier.

In another example, the baby rest area has four walls, with a first pair of walls opposing each other and a second pair of walls opposing each other. Each of the four walls has at least one hinge disposed at a midpoint of the length dimension and one of the first pair of walls is attached to one of the second pair of walls at one of the first opposing ends with at least one of the hinges.

The bag can further have a second enclosure and the pad can be foldable and disposed in the second enclosure in a folded state. Alternately, the pad can be disposed in the enclosure in a folded state.

Another example of a foldable baby rest area has a foldable area having a folded state and an unfolded state. The foldable area includes a base having a perimeter, a first pair of walls opposing each other, and a second pair of walls opposing each other. Each of the first pair and second pair of walls have a length dimension, a width dimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends along the width direction. Hinges are disposed on at least each one of the first pair and second pair of walls, and in some examples, at the midpoints. One of the first pair of walls is attached to one of the second pair of walls at one of the first opposing ends with at least one of the hinges. A pad can be removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfolded state.

The first and second pairs of walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclose the base, the first and second pairs of walls are disposed approximately perpendicular to the base along at least one of the second opposing ends. The hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the walls to fold partially upon the same walls and reduce the length dimension of the walls. In the unfolded state the walls have a full length dimension and the base lies approximately flat, and the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

In an example of the foldable baby rest area the length dimension of the first pair of walls is greater than the length dimension of the second pair of walls, and the width dimension of the first pair of walls is equal to the width dimension of the second pair of walls. Additionally, the pad can include a first mating fastener and the base further comprises a second mating fastener that engages the first mating fastener.

The foldable baby rest area can further include a pull tab disposed on the base. The pull tab, when pulled in a direction away from the base, causes the hinges to partially fold and assist in placing the foldable area in the folded state.

Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fully folded rest area and bag of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a foldable area as it is being unfolded;

FIG. 3 illustrates the removal of a folded support pad;

FIG. 4 illustrates the support pad and foldable area combination;

FIG. 5 illustrates one step in collapsing the foldable area;

FIG. 6 illustrates another step in collapsing the foldable area;

FIG. 7 illustrates replacing the foldable area in the bag;

FIG. 8 illustrates replacing the folded support pad;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of attaching the bag to a stroller; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a second step of the example of FIG. 9 to secure the bag to the stroller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components, have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the present invention. A bag 100 is styled as a typical purse, backpack, briefcase, diaper bag, or baby bag. The bag 100 can have one or more inside or outside pockets (not illustrated) to facilitate carrying of cellular telephones, multimedia devices, diapers, wipes, baby food, bottles, etc. In one example, the bag 100 has a shoulder strap 102, but one of ordinary skill in the art aware of many different handle and strap configurations and sizes and the present invention is not limited to illustrated strap design. In another example, the bag 100 can have a zipper 104 to close the internal enclosure, or a main portion 112, of the bag 100. Again, one of ordinary skill in the art is aware of typical closures for the bag 100.

The bag 100 also has a foldable area enclosure 110. The enclosure 110, in an example, is at a bottom 106 of the bag 100, but can be located anywhere on an outside 108 of the bag 100. The enclosure 110 can be separated from the main bag 112 by a partition. This partition can be solid or vented as the design allows. The enclosure 110, in another example, can be opened and closed by means of a closure device 114, i.e. zippers, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, etc.

FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a foldable area 200. The foldable area 200, in an example, is rectangular in shape, but can be any geometric shape. In the rectangular example, the foldable area has two long walls 202 and two short walls 204. The two long walls 202 typically oppose each other, and the two short walls 204 typically oppose each other as well. The long and short walls 202, 204, in one example, alternate in sequence around a perimeter, are approximately perpendicular to each other, and are joined at ends 220.

The walls 202, 204 can be rigid and are attached to, and approximately perpendicular to, a base 206. The walls 202, 204 can attach to the perimeter of the base 206 to allow the base 206 to act as a floor to the foldable area 200. The base 206 can be completely flexible or have some rigidity. In one example, the base 206 is made of fabric with no stiffening. This facilitates the folding of the foldable area 200. However, in other examples, the base 206 has some stiffening but can still be folded, based on the nature of the stiffening or pre-designed seams to allowing bending.

The walls 202, 204 have one or more joints 208. Joints 208 allow the walls 202, 204 to bend, either in only one direction, or in both directions. Thus, the joints 208 can allow approximately 180° or 360° of rotational freedom. In one example, the joints 208 are located at the midpoint of the walls 202, 204, but the joints 208 can be located anywhere along the walls 202, 204 to facilitate the folding of the foldable area 200. The joints 208 can be weakened areas of the material that forms the walls 202, 204, that allows for a uniform design and a hinged area. In other examples, the walls 202, 204 can be two pieces (see FIG. 4, 202a, 202b and 204a, 204b) separated by a hinge 208. The hinge 208 can run the width 212 of the walls 202, 204 (i.e. like a piano hinge). In other examples, the hinge 208 can be attached only portions of the width 212 of the walls 202, 204.

Note that in one example, the width 212 of the walls 202, 204 is also the dimension of the height 212 of the foldable area 200. Also note, that in one example, the height 212 of all walls 202, 204 is equal, while in other examples, one or more of the walls 202, 204 have unequal height 212. The height 212 of the walls 212 is designed to keep the infant inside the foldable area 200. The height 212 is such that if the infant somehow rolls, the infant will not roll out of the foldable area 200. Another feature of the height 212 is to occlude the infant's vision to the sides. This blocks out many distractions, focuses the infant only on the ceiling, and provides a better environment to allow the infant to rest.

In a further example, the height 212 is such that it is higher than the “thickness” of the infant. Here, if the foldable area 200 is used outdoors, insect netting can be placed over the foldable area 200 and allowed to rest on the walls 202, 204. The height 212 is high enough so the netting will not come to rest on the infant inside the foldable area 200.

In another example, the walls 202, 204 have a length 214 and, as noted above, the joints 208 can be at the mid point or ½ of length 214. The walls 202, 204, joints 208, and the base 206, are configured as such to allow the foldable area 200 to fold down upon it self to have a dimension of ½ the length 214 and maintain the width 212. A folded thickness 216 (see FIG. 7) of the foldable area 200 can be approximately the sum of the thicknesses of the walls 202, 204 and an incremental amount for the base 206.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial stage in the unfolding of the foldable area 200. In this example, one long wall 202 is unfolded along joint 208. This exposes the internally folded other long wall 202 and the short walls 204. In opening the one long wall 202 like a book, the other long wall 202 and the two short walls 204 begin to unfold and take shape. This creates an unfolded dimension of the length 214 of the long walls 202, the length of the short walls 204 and the width 212. Thus, the surface area of the base 206 is the area enclosed by the lengths 214. In another example, the foldable area 200 is sized and shaped to fit an infant. The foldable area 200, in one example, is sized to accommodate 95% of all infants from age 0-4 months old. In one example, the foldable area 200 can be approximately 30 inches by approximately 17 inches.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the support pad 300. The support pad 300 can be placed over the base 206 to add padded comfort for the infant. The pad 300 is made out of known materials, and in certain examples can vary in the amount of padding supplied and/or can be waterproof on at least one side. The pad 300 can stay within the foldable area 200 by gravity and/or friction, or can be attached to the base 206 or the walls 202, 204 by any removable fastener known to those of ordinary skill (i.e. button, zipper, snap, hook and loop, etc.) The long walls 202 can have a length 214a and the short walls 204 can have a length 214b. The support pad 300 can be dimensioned similar to the lengths 214a, 214b to form an approximately dimensioned similar geometric shape as the base 206 of the foldable area 200.

The support pad 300, in one example, can also be designed to fold. Seams 302 can be formed in the pad 300 to allow either one-way or two-way folding. The pad 300 can be hinged similar to joints 208, but in one example, the seams 302 are preferable since no gaps or raised areas are formed, making a comfortable resting area for an infant. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pad 300 can be designed to fold in half once in each direction. In other examples, the pad 300 can be folded numerous times in any direction to facilitate folding.

The pad 300 can be stored folded inside the main bag 112, as illustrated in FIG. 3. When stored in the main bag 112, the pad 300 can be used without the foldable area 200 and double as a baby changing pad. A back side (not illustrated) of the pad 300 can be formed with pockets (also not illustrated) to carry at least one diaper and wipes. Alternately, the pad 300 can be folded to the same dimensions as the folded foldable area 200 and stored in the enclosure 110 along with the foldable area 200.

Further, the pad 300 can include a head rest 304 which is configured to hold an infant's head when it is placed on the pad 300. The head rest 304 may have a donut shape, as shown, or may have another shape, such as a triangle, square, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or a pair of separated lines, resembling an equals sign. The donut shape of the head rest 304 allows the infant to be placed accurately within the foldable rest area 200. Moreover, the head rest 304 reduces stress on the back of the infant's head, thereby reducing the likelihood of the infant's head being flattened (known as plagiocephaly). The head rest 304 can be formed of a soft and supportive material. For example, the head rest 304 could include a fabric material filled with stuffing, or a foam core. In an additional example, pad 304 can have a recess matched to the head rest 304 to allow for flat folding.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate collapsing the foldable area 200 to its folded state. A pull tab 500 can be attached to base 206. The pull tab 500 can lie flat until it is needed. Once a user desires to fold the foldable area 200, the user grabs the pull tab 500 and pulls in a direction away from the base 206 (i.e. up), preferably pulling approximately perpendicularly away from the base 206. The pull tab 500 assists in folding the foldable area 200 by drawing the base 206 up. This then draws the walls 202, 204 closer together, forcing them to bend at their joints 208 and ends 220. This also facilitates folding since the walls 202, 204 are naturally drawn to fold inwards to eliminate confusion.

FIG. 6, while similar to FIG. 2, illustrates an example of the folding instead of the unfolding the foldable area 200. One long wall 202 is folded in half along joint 208 and folded internally toward the other long wall 202. The short walls 204 are folded in half, internally toward each other. The other long wall 202 is also folded in half to enclose the one long wall 202 and the two short walls 204. This creates the folded dimension of ½ the length 214 and the width 212. In another example, the foldable area 200 is sized and shaped to fit the enclosure 110. Alternately, the enclosure 110 can be shaped to accommodate the foldable area 200 with slight tolerances for a tight fit.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the folded foldable area 200 be placed inside enclosure 110. FIG. 8 illustrates pad 300 being placed inside the main bag 212. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of the bag 100 being attached to a stroller 900. The strap 102 can be unfastened from the bag 100 looped around a handle 910 of the stroller 900 and then reattached to the bag 100 to secure the bag 100 to the stroller 900.

In one example, the foldable area 200 is made of plastic or fiberboard walls 202, 204. The walls 202, 204 can be formed as a single uniform wall with joints 208 at the midpoints and also at the ends 220 of the walls 202, 204. Alternately, the walls 202, 204 can all be two pieces (202a, 202b, 204a, 204b) and not connected at the ends 220 (corners) to the other walls. The joints 208 do not have to be hinges, the walls 202a, 202b, 204a, 204b can be covered in a fabric sleeve slightly larger than the dimensions of the wall, to allow the walls to bend and the midpoints and ends. As noted above, the base 206 can be fabric and attached to the walls 202, 204 or the fabric covering the walls. The base 206 can be permanently or removably attached to one or more walls 202, 204. In the illustrated example, the base 206 is secured to all four walls 202, 204. However, in other examples, the base 206 can be permanently attached to one wall 202, and removably attached, by a zipper for example, to the remaining three walls 202, 204.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims

1. A baby rest area comprising:

a bag having an enclosure;

a foldable area having a folded state to fit inside the enclosure, and an unfolded state, the foldable area comprising: a base having a perimeter; at least three walls, each wall having a length dimension, a width dimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends along the width direction; and at least three hinges, wherein at least one of the hinges is disposed on at least one of the three walls; and

a pad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfolded state;

wherein the at least three walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclose the base, the walls are disposed approximately perpendicular to the base along at least one of the second opposing ends,

wherein the hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the walls to fold partially upon the same walls and reduce the length dimension of the walls,

wherein in the unfolded state the walls have a full length dimension and the base lies approximately flat,

wherein in the folded state, only one of the at least three walls folds over the remainder of the at least three walls; and

wherein the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

2. The baby rest area of claim 1, wherein the foldable area further comprises a pull tab disposed on the base;

wherein the pull tab, when pulled in a direction away from the base, causes the hinges to fold and assist in placing the foldable area in the folded state.

3. The baby rest area of claim 1,

wherein the at least three walls comprise four walls, with a first pair of walls opposing each other and a second pair of walls opposing each other,

wherein each of the four walls has at least one hinge disposed at a midpoint of the length dimension; and

wherein one of the first pair of walls is attached to one of the second pair of walls at one of the first opposing ends with at least one of the hinges.

4. The baby rest area of claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises a second enclosure; and

wherein the pad is foldable and can be disposed in the second enclosure in a folded state.

5. The baby rest area of claim 1, wherein the pad is foldable and can be disposed in the enclosure in a folded state.

6. A foldable baby rest area comprising:

a foldable area having a folded state and an unfolded state, the foldable area comprising: a base having a perimeter; a first pair of walls opposing each other; a second pair of walls opposing each other; wherein, each of the first pair and second pair of walls have a length dimension, a width dimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends along the width direction; and hinges disposed on at least each one of the first pair and second pair of walls; wherein one of the first pair of walls is attached to one of the second pair of walls at one of the first opposing ends with at least one of the hinges; and

a pad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfolded state;

wherein the first and second pairs of walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclose the base, the first and second pairs of walls are disposed approximately perpendicular to the base along at least one of the second opposing ends,

wherein the hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the walls to fold partially upon the same walls and reduce the length dimension of the walls,

wherein in the unfolded state the walls have a full length dimension and the base lies approximately flat,

wherein in the folded state, only one of the at least three walls folds over the remainder of the at least three wall; and

wherein the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

7. The foldable baby rest area of claim 6, wherein the length dimension of the first pair of walls is greater than the length dimension of the second pair of walls, and

wherein the width dimension of the first pair of walls is equal to the width dimension of the second pair of walls.

8. The foldable baby rest area of claim 6, wherein the pad further comprises a first mating fastener and the base further comprises a second mating fastener that engages the first mating fastener.

9. The foldable baby rest area of claim 6, wherein the foldable area further comprises a pull tab disposed on the base;

wherein the pull tab, when pulled in a direction away from the base, causes the hinges to partially fold and assist in placing the foldable area in the folded state.

10. The foldable baby rest area of claim 6, wherein the pad further comprises a head rest at a top end of the pad.