WO2012063029A1

WO2012063029A1 - An infant bed

Info

Publication number: WO2012063029A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/001604
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edwards Clare
Original assignee: Edwards Clare
Priority date: 2010-11-13
Filing date: 2011-11-14
Publication date: 2012-05-18
Also published as: GB201311317D0; GB201019277D0; GB2499960A

Abstract

The present invention provides a solution to the problem of safe care of infants in sunny environments. To varying degrees people and in particular infants are vulnerable to the effects of over exposure to sunshine. Often sun cream or lotion is applied to infants, but this is not always practical with very young babies. The present invention provides a means to maintain an infant shielded from sun light. The invention is typically envisaged to be used in holiday or sunbathing situations, to ensure that an infant is safe and prevented from over exposure to sunlight. The present invention relates to an infant bed comprising body having raised sides (1), a pivotable canopy mechanism (2) and a tether means (3) for anchoring the canopy in a fixed state.

Description

AN INFANT BED

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant bed, more particularly a bed for use by an infant outside a house or dwelling.

Background

Whether at home or outdoors, infants and neonates need their own bed, which is often referred to as a cot or Moses basket. These infant beds are also known as, bassinets, cots, cribs, chairs or beds (used herein interchangeably). Increasingly parents and carers are concerned about safety, both regarding third parties and escape from the constraints of the chair, bed or cot. In particular infant beds are designed to restrict and confine a baby to the bed.

There is increasingly concern over sun exposure, both for adults and infants and so an increasing need for shade or canopy so as to avoid inadvertent exposure to the sun.

Prior Art

United States Patent US 5 299 331 (Badillo) discloses a beach blanket assembly having a raised border for use on a beach surface. The assembly includes: a beach blanket having a central portion surrounded by a peripheral border, said peripheral border being supportable in a raised generally upright position; an inflatable beach blanket bumper surrounding and abutting said blanket peripheral border when said border is in said raised upright position thereof; anchor means for releasably anchoring the assembly to the beach surface, said anchor means includes stakes having upper and lower end portions. The end portions are intended for embedment below the beach surface of said upper end portions of which are intended to be disposed above the beach surface so as to abut and support at least one of said beach blanket peripheral borders. There is also provided a beach blanket bumper.

The stakes are disposed inwardly of the bumper. A releasable attachment means attaches said peripheral border of said blanket to, at least one, of said anchor means and said beach blanket bumper so as to support the same in a raised generally upright position. The blanket offers no shade to occupants.

United States Patent US 3 656 194 (Perego) discloses a playpen for children, foldable between an erected (or open) position and a closed or compact position. The playpen comprises, in combination: a one-piece moulded bottom; a one-piece moulded upper rim; respective hooks moulded integrally with said one-piece moulded bottom and with said one-piece moulded upper rim; a net secured to said hooks that define the side wall of the playpen; metal legs pivotally secured to said one-piece moulded upper rim; and hook means, including components integral with said one-piece moulded bottom, connecting said legs to said one-piece moulded bottom. The playpen offers no shade to occupants.

United States Patent US 6 345 400 (Elliott et al) discloses a portable cot apparatus for supporting a user comprising: a stackable frame structure for supporting the portable cot apparatus; and b. a flexible support having a detachable fastener for removably and selectively coupling the flexible support to the stackable frame structure, wherein the stackable frame structure is configured to interlock with another stackable frame structure for stacking multiple portable cots.

Despite the foregoing there is still a need for a portable cot which protects a baby or neonate from over exposure from sunshine.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an infant bed with raised sides having a pivotable canopy mechanism and tether means for anchoring the canopy in a fixed state.

Ideally the bed is formed from a moulded synthetic plastics or resin material, ideally with a weather, ultraviolet light (UV) and stain resistant finish.

In preferred embodiments the synthetic plastics material that is used to form the body of the infant bed is polypropylene.

Ideally the bed and canopy are constructed from a lightweight synthetic plastics material which ensures that the bed is light, easy-to-use and portable. However, in some embodiments, where a heavier weight is required, a denser material may be used, such that the infant bed is less inclined to movement. Such further embodiments may be constructed from powder coated aluminium or the like.

In yet further alternative embodiments a painted or cured wood, rattan and/or other frame material may be used to form the bed. In addition a combination of materials may be in used in a composite form, such as a metal frame - for providing support - and rattan side panels on raised sides, with wooden slatting for a bed base.

In another embodiment the shape of the bed is typically parallelepiped (box shaped), with sides intersecting at 90° angles.

Ideally a tether includes a lanyard attachment point. The tether may also have a Velcro (Trade Mark) or other fastener system, such as buckle or clip or press stud for anchoring the canopy.

In an alternative embodiment the tether or anchoring means may be defined by a locking means. The canopy mechanism may be used to raise a plastic, metal, wood, wicker or canopy, awning or cover, which may be canvas.

Ideally the canopy is dimensioned and arranged to screen substantially the entire bed. As an alternative a fine mesh may be utilised to provide the material of the canopy, in order that ventilation is achieved as well as sun a sun screening effect.

One or more thickness screens may be provided so as to enable a user to choose between a total and a partial screen.

Additionally - or alternatively - a mesh may be fitted to the canopy so as to provide an insect screen, thereby protecting the occupant form mosquitos and other insects.

In preferred embodiments the canopy mechanism and canopy are formed integrally - one with another - and are demountable from the infant bed.

Advantageously the canopy mechanism and canopy include an extendible portion, or a concertina or fluted hood so as to provide an adjustable sun screen.

In an alternative arrangement a flexible arm or holder is provided for a detachable sunshade or umbrella.

Alternatively, or in addition, the canopy may be mounted in a channel or groove along a side such that it may be pulled over to shade the infant when required. The canopy may be returned to a stowed, parked or stashed position when not required.

Ideally said stashed position is at one or both of the (shorter) ends of the bed. Further embodiments may have canopies that extend from the (longer) sides of the bed. In yet a further embodiment combinations or arrangements of canopy may be provided so that other regions of the bed may be selectively covered in order to shade an occupant.

In another embodiment mounting positions, or holders or arms, for umbrellas, parasols or sun shades are provided at a plurality of locations. Alternatively cantilever mounts or arms are provided for receiving a sunshade or umbrella.

The canopy is optionally removable and stowable in, on or under the bed when not in use.

In a particularly preferred embodiment a cushion insert is available and/or provided, such that the insert is detachable for cleaning. This insert is ideally a foam rubber or synthetic foam compound filled insert with a wipeable external surface and configured to be fitted to the bed by covering the bed base and sides, minimising any chance of injury to the infant. Alternatively a natural breathable fabric is used to maximise ventilation and minimise irritation to the infant.

Optionally drainage and/or breather holes may be formed in a lower base region of the bed.

Ideally the bed is provided with a means of carrying comprising a handle and/or wheels and/or strap.

In some embodiments further attachments or functions may be available, such as dispenser nozzles or compartments, or timer facilities.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an overhead isometric view of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 show a reverse isometric view of the preferred embodiment; and

Figure 3 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment with the canopy mechanism in use.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a preferred embodiment of the infant bed has raised sides 1 , a canopy mechanism 2 and a tether means 3.

The pictured embodiment is constructed in moulded or cast synthetic plastics material, preferably of heavy duty and well suited to exterior conditions, in particular sunbeams and sunlight.

The preferred embodiment has raised sides 1 with legs 1 1 raising the sides from the floor, making it easier for an infant's carers to attend to the infant.

The canopy mechanism 2 in the pictured embodiment is a folded or otherwise stowable material awning, formed of a material such a canvas mesh ideally treated such that sunlight is reflected or filtered.

The extended canopy mechanism 2 is shown in Figure 3, with the material 201 of the canopy mechanism visible.

This material is attached to a rotating beam 200 rotating about two pins 20 mounted on the side of the bed.

The tether means 3 comprises either a clip 30 or a lanyard attachment point 32 for attachment of a strap, ideally having Velcro (Trade Mark) or other hook and eye attachment means. The clip 30 has an adjustable screw stud 300 which screws into a bracket 301 , said bracket in use surrounding an appropriate portion of a carer's sun bed or other relevant structure. In some embodiments the stud 300 may be sprung, in order that closure or release is easily facilitated.

The clip 30 is attached to a beam 31 , which rotates about two pins 310. This enables the beam to act as a handle for the infant's carer to carry the bed, when the clip is not being used. The pins 310 may be detachable to enable the beam 31 to be removed from the bed.

In preferred embodiments therefore the beam is metal or powder coated metal, or rubberised metal in order to ensure appropriate strength.

The material may also include sunbeam filtration, such as to minimise passage of ultraviolet (UV), in particular UVA and/or UVB.

Alternate embodiments may have no legs, sides that extend to the floor or be provided on swivel bases.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Variation may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention, for example an attachment device or an attachment surface, such as a lip, may be provided for attaching toys or other items. The attachment surface may be on the rim of the hood or in the middle part of a frame around the bed.

Another variation includes a window, formed in a side wall of the bed, which optionally has a curtain, through which a parent/carer may peep at the baby, without having to disturb the baby by lifting the whole canopy.

Claims

1. An infant bed comprises a body having raised sides; a pivotable canopy mechanism and a tether means for anchoring the canopy in a fixed state.

2. An infant bed according to claim 1 has solid side walls.

3. An infant bed according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the canopy is demountable from the infant bed.

4. An infant bed according to any preceding claim wherein the canopy is dimensioned and arranged to screen the bed substantially the entire bed.

5. An infant bed according to any preceding claim formed from a synthetic plastics material.

6. An infant bed according to claim 5 wherein the synthetic plastics material is polypropylene.

7. An infant bed according to any preceding claim has an extendable awning.

8. An infant bed according to any preceding claim has a body that is shaped to stack.

9. An infant bed according to any preceding claim has an adjustable clip for attaching the infant bed to a separate structure.

10. An infant bed according to any preceding claim has ventilation apertures or holes formed in a base portion thereof.

1 1. An infant bed according to any preceding claim wherein means is provided for receiving a flexible arm or holder for a detachable sunshade or umbrella.

12. An infant bed according to any preceding claim wherein a cushion insert is provided to provide a sleeping surface for a baby or neonate.

13. An infant bed according to any preceding claim wherein an attachment device or an attachment surface, such as a lip, is provided for attaching toys or other items.

14. An infant bed according to any preceding claim wherein an aperture is formed in a side wall of the bed so as to define a window.

15. An infant bed according to claim 14 wherein a curtain is provided.

16. An infant bed substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.