WEDGE SUPPORT ENCOMPASSING A HEAD SHAPING PILLOW WITH SWADDLE POSITIONER AND BUILT-IN CAVITY TO SUPPORT USER HEAD AREA

Abstract

A support and safety device for caregiver and parent assistance is provided comprising an inclined cushion of semicircular tablet shape, a recess proximate an upper middle area of the cushion, holes in the recess, the holes extending through the cushion, and a swaddle positioner attached to a lower area of the cushion. An angle of incline of the cushion is about ten degrees. The recess promotes support and stabilization of a back area of a user's head. The holes promote breathing in an event a user rolls over from his/her back. The swaddle positioner wraps about a user's lower body and promotes maintenance of a user in an upward facing position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present non-provisional patent application is related to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/984,309 filed Mar. 3, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the field of supervised lounging and comfort products for infants and babies. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an inclined pillow with a built-in cavity for supporting a back area of a user's head with holes in the cavity in the event the user rolls over from a desired position on his/her back and is hence facing downward.

BACKGROUND

Parents and care providers responsible for infants, babies, and other persons needing care seek to physically situate the subject person in a position that is comfortable and safe wherein the person may be at an incline with head elevated above feet, wherein the person's head and neck are secure, and breathing is assured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 through FIG. 18 are images of a wedge support or components thereof encompassing a head shaping pillow and swaddle positioner with built-in cavity to support user head area in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods described herein provide an infant-supporting wedge-shaped pillow. The pillow is a flat surface on a permanent incline to support an infant laying on his/her back. The system includes a slight recess or cavity near its upper end to support and preserve the curved shape of the infant's skull. The recess has air holes for breathability should the infant roll over from the intended position on his/her back to a downward facing position.

A fabric covering of the system may be either cotton or bamboo for maximum air flow. An accessory piece is provided to make the pillow usable in a wider bassinet, for example the Halo product. A fabric swaddle may be affixed to a lower portion of the pillow to stop the baby from sliding down the slope of the pillow. In an embodiment, the angle of the slope of the pillow may be ten degrees.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates components and interactions of a system 100 of an infant-supporting wedge-shaped pillow. The system includes a pillow 102, a recess 104, holes 106, and an accessory 108. As is evident from an examination of FIG. 1, the system 100 is in a permanent wedge shape such that the baby's head is elevated above his/her feet. Such elevation may allow the baby to be less likely to suffer from acid reflux and other digestive ailments.

While FIG. 1 does not depict the swaddle, the swaddle may be a standard component of the system 100 and is depicted in other drawings provided herein. The recess 104 receives the back of the baby's head while providing comfortable placement and positioning of the baby's head and spine. The recess 104 may help to spread out pressure from one spot on the cranium to a wider area of the head. This feature of the recess 104 may assist in prevention of flat head condition and prevention of torticollis, a problem involving the muscles of the neck that causes the head to tilt down. The recess 104 may help develop natural growth and shape of the head.

The holes 106 in the recess 104 allow the baby to breathe in the event the baby rolls over onto his/her stomach and is hence face-down on the pillow 102. The holes 106 reach through to an underside area of the system 100 such that air may be drawn up through the holes 106. While only quantity three of holes 106 are indicated in FIG. 1, all nine of the holes 106 are included herein. In embodiments, more than or less than nine holes 106 may be in force and effect in the system 100.

The accessory 108 is also shown that may be used to widen the system 100 and enable the system 100 to fit into a bassinet, crib, or similar device. The accessory 108 may affix to the pillow 102 via Velcro attachment. The accessory 108 may assist in securing the system 100 into in a pram, a pushchair, a rocking chair, a stroller, a car seat, a crib, a play mat, or a lounger.

While the system 100 may in many embodiments be used for infants and babies, in embodiments the system 100 may if expanded in size be used for older persons, for example disabled persons. A disabled or elderly person situated at an incline may avoid lung, throat, and esophagus congestion and stomach problems.

In an embodiment, the pillow 102 may be made of any of a variety of commercially available cushioning materials. For example, the pillow 102 may be made of Certipur-US or Certipur-Euro.

While the system 100 is described herein as being placed atop a flat or stationary surface such as a bed, play mat, or car seat, in embodiments the system 100 may be physically attached to and even become a component of or incorporated into a larger supporting structure. For example, a bassinet mattress may be built to incorporate most of the components of the system 100 such that the bassinet mattress is inclined and has a recess 104 and holes 106 as described herein.

FIG. 2 is another image of components of the system 100. Components shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 7 herein index to those of the system 100. FIG. 2 depicts the swaddle 210 as it is attached to the pillow 202 and FIG. 3 depicts the swaddle 310 by itself. FIG. 4 illustrates the pillow 402, the accessory 408, and the swaddle 410 with each of these components contained in cloth wrappings. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict the same components of the system with the exception of the accessory which is shown by itself as accessory 710 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an image of a front area of the system 100 with cover. FIG. 9 is an image of a back area of the system 100 with cover. Two small areas of the back area of the system 100 have Velcro patches to facilitate attachment of components of the swaddle positioner. FIG. 10 is an image of the system 100 without cover and similar to FIG. 2 except without accessory 108.

FIG. 11 illustrates the Velco swaddle connection at the back area of the system 100. FIG. 12 shows the swaddle in an open position for placement of infant/baby. FIG. 13 shows the inner swaddle being closed. FIG. 14 shows one side of the outer swaddle being closed.

FIG. 15 illustrates a Velcro submarine strap. FIG. 16 provides another view of the Velcro submarine strap. FIG. 17 illustrates the other side of the swaddle being closed. FIG. 18 illustrates the system 100 with accessory 108 for placement in a wider bassinet.

Claims

1. A support and safety device for caregiver and parent assistance, comprising:

an inclined cushion of semicircular tablet shape;

a recess proximate an upper middle area of the cushion;

holes in the recess, the holes extending through the cushion; and

a swaddle positioner attached to a lower area of the cushion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein an angle of incline of the cushion is about ten degrees.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the recess promotes support and stabilization of a back area of a user's head.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the holes promote breathing in an event a user rolls over from his/her back.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the swaddle positioner wraps about a user's lower body.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the swaddle positioner promotes maintenance of a user in an upward facing position.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein an optional arch-shaped component attaches partially around a circumference of the cushion and promotes placement of the system in one of a bassinet, a crib, a stroller, and a bed.

8. A non-level surface with head support functionality, comprising:

a flat mattress disposed at a permanent incline;

a shallow cavity located at an upper area of the mattress;

openings in the cavity directed to promoting air flow from an underside area of the mattress; and

a swaddle device secured to a lower portion of the mattress.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein an angle of the permanent incline is about ten degrees.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the incline promotes positioning of user head above user feet.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein an upward facing surface of the mattress is made of at least one of cotton and bamboo.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the cavity promotes support and stabilization of a back area of a user's head.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the holes promote breathing in an event a user rolls over from his/her back.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the swaddle positioner promotes maintenance of a user in an upward facing position.

15. A system for safe and comfortable support of infants and caregiver clients, comprising:

a padded surface of semicircular tablet shape disposed in an inclined manner via wedge structure;

a recessed area proximate an upper area of the surface;

holes in the recessed area, the holes permitting air flow from an underside of the surface;

and a swaddle affixed to a bottom area of the surface.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the inclined manner promotes positioning of user head at level above user feet.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein an optional arch-shaped component attaches partially around a circumference of the surface and promotes placement of the system in one of a bassinet, a crib, a stroller, and a bed.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the recessed area promotes support and stabilization of a back area of a user's head.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the swaddle promotes maintenance of a user in an upward facing position.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the holes promote breathing in an event the user rolls from the upward facing position.