CHILD SLEEPING APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE SLEEP ANGLE

Abstract

A sleeping apparatus for infants and children, such as a bassinet, includes a child-receiving sleep receptacle and a frame assembly attached to and supporting the child-receiving sleep receptacle. The child-receiving sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between a head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and a foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle. One or more fasteners extend along one or more of the sidewalls and are operable for opening and closing and thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle or of the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle, or both.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/762,039 filed Feb. 7, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of sleeping apparatus for children and infants, and more particularly to bassinets, inclined sleeping apparatuses, and the like.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, the present invention provides a sleeping apparatus for infants and children, such as a bassinet, and includes a child receiving sleep receptacle and a frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving sleep receptacle. The sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between a head end of the sleep receptacle and a foot end of the sleep receptacle. One or more fasteners extend along one or more of the sidewalls and are operable for fastening and unfastening and thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of the sleep receptacle or of the head end of the sleep receptacle, or both. This provides a simple, direct, safe, and easy way of changing the sleep angle of the child sleeping apparatus.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to an example embodiment of the present invention, shown with a head end portion thereof in an extended or lowered configuration.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 1, shown with a head end portion thereof in a retracted or raised configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to another example embodiment of the present invention, shown with a head end portion and a foot end portion thereof each in a retracted or raised configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 4, shown with a head end portion and a foot end portion thereof each in an extended or lowered configuration.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of a bassinet according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a bassinet 100 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The bassinet 100 generally comprises a collapsible frame 102 configured to rest on a support surface (not shown in the drawings), an infant-receiving sleep receptacle 130 coupled to the frame 102 and adapted for receiving an infant, and a fastener such as for example a zipper 170 extending along one or more sidewalls 160-164 of the receptacle 130. The bassinet 100 can be constructed such that it is convertible between an erect or extended configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, and a collapsed or compact/folded configuration.

The infant-receiving sleep receptacle 130 preferably comprises a reclined seat portion, including a head end 132 and a foot end 134, and opposing side walls 160-164 configured to retain an infant within the receptacle 130. The receptacle 130 can be a fabric sling, can include a hard shell seat, or other construction, as desired. Preferably, the side walls 160-164 are at least partially formed from a breathable material, such as a fabric mesh or other flexible material. In this example embodiment, the infant-receiving receptacle 130 is supported by an upper frame 120 which is pivotally mounted to the lower frame 110. Generally, the receptacle 130 includes fabric portions looped over portions of the upper frame 120 to be secured therewith. In example forms, the frame 102 is tubular. While described generally herein as fabric, one or more of the sidewalls may be formed of other flexible materials.

The zipper 170 extending along the one or more sidewalls 160-164 of the receiving receptacle 130 is operative for opening and closing, thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls 160-164 so as to change an inclination of the head end 132 or the foot end 134 of the receiving receptacle 130. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the zipper 170 extends along the first sidewall 160, around the head end 132 along the second sidewall 164, and along the opposite or third sidewall 164. In example embodiments incorporating a headrest recline feature, a support structure is optionally provided in the child receiving receptacle to help prevent the baby's head from sinking too far into the seat. Preferably, the zipper 170 may start and end along a desired portion of the sidewalls 160, 164. Optionally, two zippers may be used to provide for the same inclination adjustment as the single long zipper 170. In alternate embodiments, other types of fasteners may be used in place of or in addition to the zipper(s), such as for example buckles, snaps, buttons, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a bassinet 200 according to another example embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the receiving receptacle 230 comprises two zippers 270, 272, for example, wherein a change in inclination of the head end 232 and/or the foot end 234 of the receiving receptacle 230 can be provided. The first zipper 270 extends along the first sidewall 260, around the head end 232 along the second sidewall 262, and along the opposite or third sidewall 264. The second zipper 272 extends along the first sidewall 260, around the foot end 234 along the fourth sidewall 266, and along the opposite or third sidewall 264. As described above, the zippers 270, 272 may start and end along a desired portion of the sidewalls 260, 264. Optionally, each zipper 270, 272 may comprise two zippers to provide for the same inclination as the zippers 270, 272.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the frame 202 and depicting the inclination angles of the head end 232 and the foot end 234. Generally, the opening or closing of the zipper preferably raises or lowers the head end 232 or foot end 234 by more than 5 degrees. As shown, the head end 232 can be lowered from an angle α (with the zipper 270 closed) to an angle β (with the zipper 270 open). Similarly, the foot end 234 can be lowered from an angle α (with the zipper 272 closed) to an angle β (with the zipper 272 open). Generally, angle α is about 27 degrees above the horizontal and angle β is about 20 degrees above the horizontal.

Certain example embodiments of the bassinet may also include wheels or rollers (or other conventional means for sliding/rolling across the support surface), as shown in various figures herein. The wheels allow the bassinet to be transported easily from room to room, without disturbing an infant positioned therein. The depicted embodiments include a wheel at the rear of each base portion, but other embodiments may include fewer or more wheels (or other means for sliding/rolling) positioned anywhere on base portions. The bassinet can also include a handle which a caregiver may grasp as they push or pull the bassinet to various locations. The handle is preferably positioned at the front of the infant-receiving receptacle, such that the front is elevated above the support surface when a caregiver grasps and lifts the handle. Thus, the weight of the bassinet is transferred to the wheels at the rear of the base portions.

The infant bassinet can include an optional pocket configured to hold various items, such as, example, a bottle, pacifier, or most preferably, a vibration unit. The pocket is preferably positioned on the infant-receiving receptacle or one of the arm members, such that the vibratory motion of the vibration unit is transferred to the infant-receiving receptacle. Other example embodiments may include a pocket positioned at an alternative location on the bassinet and/or may include additional pockets. Optionally, the bassinet can include a harness 280 or similar means for restraining an infant positioned within the infant-receiving receptacle.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A sleeping apparatus for infants and children comprising:

a child-receiving sleep receptacle;

a frame assembly attached to and supporting the child-receiving sleep receptacle;

wherein the child-receiving sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between a head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and a foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle; and

one or more fasteners extending along one or more of the sidewalls and operable for lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle or of the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle.

2. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners is associated with the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle to raise and lower the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle by operation of the one or more fasteners.

3. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the one or more fasteners extends at least partially along one sidewall and at least partially along the other sidewall.

4. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners raises and lowers the head end or the foot end by more than 5 degrees.

5. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners is associated with the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle to raise and lower the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle by operation of the one or more fasteners.

6. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the one or more fasteners extends at least partially along one sidewall and at least partially along the other sidewall.

7. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners comprises at least two fasteners, with at least one fastener operable for raising and lowering the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and with at least another fastener operable for raising and lowering the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle.

8. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inclination of the foot end or of the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle is varied by the at least one or more fasteners from about 20 degrees above horizontal to more than 25 degrees above horizontal by operation of the one or more fasteners.

9. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners comprise zippers for opening and closing to lengthen or shorten the height of the sidewalls.

10. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sidewalls are fabric.

11. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is convertible between an erect configuration and a collapsed configuration.

12. A bassinet comprising a frame assembly, a child-receiving receptacle attached to the frame assembly, the child-receiving receptacle comprising sidewalls at least partially formed of a flexible material, and at least one fastener extending along at least a portion of the sidewalls of the child-receiving receptacle, the at least one fastener operable to change an inclination of at least a portion of the child-receiving receptacle.

13. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the frame assembly is convertible between an extended configuration and a compact folded configuration.

14. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the flexible material of the sidewalls comprises fabric.

15. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a zipper operable to lengthen or shorten a height of at least a portion of the sidewalls to change the inclination of the child-receiving receptacle.

16. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the child-receiving receptacle defines a head end and a foot end, and wherein operation of the fastener changes the inclination of the head end of the child-receiving receptacle.

17. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the child-receiving receptacle defines a head end and a foot end, and wherein two fasteners are provided, operation of a first fastener changing the inclination of the head end of the child-receiving receptacle, and operation of a second fastener changing the inclination of the foot end of the child-receiving receptacle.

18. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the change of inclination of at least a portion of the child-receiving receptacle comprises a change of inclination of at least 5°.

19. A sleeping apparatus for infants and children comprising:

a collapsible frame assembly convertible between an erect configuration and a collapsed configuration;

a child-receiving receptacle supported by the frame assembly and comprising sidewalls at least partially formed of a flexible material, the child-receiving receptacle defining a head end and a foot end; and

a fastener operable between a fastened state wherein the head end of the child-receiving receptacle is oriented at a first inclination and an unfastened state wherein the head end of the child-receiving receptacle is oriented at a second inclination, the first and second inclinations being offset from one another by at least 5°.

20. The sleeping apparatus of claim 19, wherein the fastener comprises a zipper.