U.S. patent application number 10/969333 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for baby mat.
Invention is credited to Kassai, Kenzou, Ohnishi, Ichiro.
Application Number | 20050115000 10/969333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34386481 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kassai, Kenzou ; et
al. |
June 2, 2005 |
Baby mat
Abstract
A baby mat comprises a main region having a constant width, a
head region having a shape of semicircle, and a leg region. A
projection part for holding a baby head is provided in the head
region of the baby mat, and side projections are provided on both
sides of the main region. The baby mat is increased in height from
the leg region toward the head region.
Inventors: |
Kassai, Kenzou; (Osaka-shi,
JP) ; Ohnishi, Ichiro; (Nara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DITTHAVONG & CARLSON, P.C.
Suite A
10507 Braddock Road
Fairfax
VA
22032
US
|
Family ID: |
34386481 |
Appl. No.: |
10/969333 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 ;
5/732 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/003 20130101;
A47D 7/002 20130101; A47D 15/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 ;
005/732 |
International
Class: |
A47C 027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2003 |
JP |
2003-360878 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A baby mat extending with a predetermined height, comprising: a
main region having a constant width dimension; a leg region
positioned on the side of baby legs; and a head region positioned
on the side of a baby head and having a configuration in which its
width dimension is decreased toward a top thereof, wherein the
height is gradually increased from said leg region toward said head
region.
2. The baby mat according to claim 1, wherein a projection part
projecting upward and extending along an edge is provided in the
head region.
3. The baby mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat has
ventilation holes.
4. The baby mat according to claim 1, wherein said head region is
in the shape of semicircle.
5. The baby mat according to claim 1, further comprising side
projections provided on both sides of said main region.
6. The baby mat according to claim 5, wherein said projection part
and said side projections are continuously formed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a baby mat and more
particularly, it relates to a baby mat with which a parent can
sleep alongside a baby.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Recently, sharing of a bed among parents and children in
which the parents and the children sleep together in the same bed
has been reviewed. An article about the above is described in
"Newsweek, special edition of Japanese version, The New Health from
Zero Year Old" published by Hankyu Communications Co., Ltd. Jul.
29, 2003, p.7.
[0005] According to the above document, the number of mothers who
rear their babies at the breast is increased recently and the
importance of physical contact is explained. Thus, new merits are
discovered in sharing the bed among parents and children.
[0006] Meanwhile, the following precautions has to be taken when
the parent sleeps with the baby. That is, it is necessary to be
careful not to let the baby choke because a bed (or mat) of the
parent is too soft. It is necessary to be careful not to let the
baby lay on the face. In addition, it is necessary to be careful
not to let the baby be squashed when the parent rolls over.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention was made in view of the above problems
and it is an object of the present invention to provide a baby mat
with which the parent can share the bed with the baby
comfortably.
[0008] According to the present invention, a baby mat extends,
maintaining a predetermined height and comprises a main region
having a constant width dimension, a leg region positioned on the
side of baby legs and a head region positioned on the side of a
baby head and having a configuration in which its width dimension
is decreased toward its top. A height of the baby mat is gradually
increased from the leg region toward the head region.
[0009] Since the head region of the baby mat has a configuration in
which the width dimension is decreased toward its top, the parent
can nurse the baby, sliding an arm around the head region of the
baby mat so as to hold the baby mat. In addition, since it has the
predetermined height, even when the parent hit the baby mat when
the parent rolls over and the like, the parent feels odd because of
a difference in level of the baby mat and finds at once that the
baby is sleeping with. In addition, since the height is gradually
increased from the leg region toward the head region, the head of
the baby can be held higher than the legs, so that the baby is
likely to let out a burp after having milk.
[0010] As a result, there can be provided the baby mat with which
the parent can share the bed with the baby comfortably.
[0011] In addition, the head region may be in the shape of
semicircle, convexity and the like.
[0012] Preferably, a projection part projecting upward and
extending along an edge is provided in the head region.
[0013] Since the projection part is provided in the head region,
the baby is prevented from rolling over freely so as not to be
choked.
[0014] More preferably, the mat has ventilation holes.
[0015] Since the ventilation holes are provided in the baby mat, a
temperature of the baby can be appropriately maintained.
[0016] More preferably, the baby mat further comprises side
projections provided on both sides of the main region.
[0017] In addition, the projection part and the side projections
may be continuously formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing a baby mat according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a baby mat according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a baby mat according to
still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing a baby mat according to
still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing a baby mat according to
still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are views showing a baby mat according
to still another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing a sofa to which the baby
mat is applied.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the drawings hereinafter. FIG. 1A is a plan view
showing a baby mat and FIG. 1B is a view in the direction of the
arrows B in FIG. 1A according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the baby mat comprises a
main region 11 having a constant width dimension in which a baby
body is put, a head region 12 in which a baby head is put, and a
leg region 13 in which baby legs are put. The head region 12 is in
the shape of almost semicircle and the leg region 13 has a linear
configuration.
[0026] The baby mat 10 is gradually increased in height such that
it is lower on the side of the leg region 13 and higher on the side
of the head region 12. In this constitution, since the head of the
baby can be highly held in the head region, the baby is likely to
let out a burp after having milk.
[0027] There is provided a projection part 14 which protrudes
upward so as to hold the side of the baby head. In addition, there
is provided a plurality of ventilation holes in the baby mat 10.
The baby mat 10 may be formed of a material harder than a mat on
which the baby mat 10 is set.
[0028] Then, a description will be made of how to use the baby mat
10. The baby mat 10 is separately used in the living room, for
example near a mother in the daytime. While the baby is laid down
on the baby mat 10, the mother can observe the baby, doing
housework.
[0029] During the night, the baby mat 10 is set on the center of
the mat of a bed for parents in the bedroom. The parents sleep
across the baby mat 10 while the baby is laid down on the baby mat
10.
[0030] Since the head region 12 of the baby mat 10 is in the shape
of semicircle, the parent can nurse the baby, sliding an arm around
the head region 12 of the baby mat 10 so as to hold the baby mat
10. In addition, since the baby mat 10 has a predetermined height,
the parent does not have to bend the neck and can bring the face
close to the baby in a comfortable position.
[0031] Thereafter, even when the parent falls asleep and rolls over
in the bed and hit the baby mat 10 eventually, since the baby mat
10 is highly positioned, the parent can find at once that the baby
is sleeping with.
[0032] Besides, when the baby mat 10 is made of a material harder
than the parent's bed, an accident in which a baby is choked on a
soft mat will not occur.
[0033] Furthermore, since the projection part 14 for holding the
baby head is provided and the baby cannot freely roll over, there
is no fear that the baby is choked.
[0034] Still further, since the plurality of ventilation holes 15
are provided in the baby mat 10, a temperature of the baby can be
appropriately maintained.
[0035] In addition, the above effect can be provided not only in
the case where the baby mat 10 is used on the parent's mat but also
in a case where the baby mat 10 is separately used when the parent
sleeps alongside the baby.
[0036] As described above, according to the baby mat 10, the parent
can be physically affectionate with the baby anytime day or night
without providing a baby bed. In addition, since the parent can be
released from precautions which was conventionally taken when the
parent sleep with the baby, the parent can sleep alongside the baby
comfortably.
[0037] Another embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a baby mat 20
according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which
FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a side view.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, although the baby mat 20 in
this embodiment is basically the same as that in the above
embodiment, this embodiment is different from the above embodiment
in that there is no projection part but side projections 21 are
provided on both sides of a main region 11 of the baby mat 20. The
side projection 21 is higher than the projection part 14. Since
other parts are the same as in the above embodiment, their
descriptions are omitted.
[0039] Here, the side projections 21 restrain the sides of the baby
when the baby is laid down on the baby mat 20. Since the sides of
the baby is restrained by the side projections 21, the baby cannot
roll over. Therefore, an accident in which a baby is choked during
sleep will not occur.
[0040] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing the still another
embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a plan
view and FIG. 3B is a side view.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a baby mat 30 comprises both
projection part 14 in a head region 12 and side projections 21 on
both sides of a main region 11. Since other parts in this
embodiment are the same as in the above embodiments, their
descriptions are omitted.
[0042] According to this embodiment, since the head and sides of
the body are restrained by the projection part 14 and the side
projections 21, the baby is further restrained and cannot roll over
and the like. As a result, the baby can sleep on the mat further
safely.
[0043] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing the still another
embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a plan
view and FIG. 4B is a side view.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a projection part 41 in which
a projection part and side projections are integrated is provided
in this embodiment. In this case, a height of the projection part
41 is the same as that of the projection part 14 in the above
embodiment.
[0045] Alternatively, the height of the projection 41 may be the
same as that of the side projections 21, or only the sides of a
main region 11 may be as high as the side projections 21 while a
head region 12 is as high as the projection part 14.
[0046] According to this embodiment, since the projection part 41
in which the projection part and the side projections are
integrated is provided, the entire body of the baby can be
surrounded by it. As a result, there can be provided a baby mat in
which the baby can sleep on the mat further safely.
[0047] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing the still another
embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a plan
view and FIG. 5B is a side view.
[0048] According to this embodiment, a baby mat 50 does not have a
projection part nor side projections.
[0049] Even if there is no projection part nor side projection,
since the baby mat 50 has a predetermined height such that the
height is gradually increased from a leg part toward a head part,
the baby can sleep on the mat safely. In addition, even when the
parent sleeping alongside the baby rolls over, since the baby mat
50 has the predetermined height, the parent finds at once that the
baby is sleeping with because the parent feels odd because of the
mat.
[0050] In addition, although the description was made of the
example in which the head region of the baby mat is in the shape of
semicircle in the above embodiments, the present invention is not
limited to this configuration, and it is all right if the baby mat
is constituted such that the head region is decreased in width
toward its top and the height is increased from the leg region 13
toward the head region 12. Examples of such configuration are shown
in FIGS. 6A to 6C. FIGS. 6A to 6C are plan views showing
configurations the baby mat can have. In FIGS. 6A to 6C, upper
parts are the head regions and lower parts are leg regions.
[0051] Next, an application example of the baby mat will be
described. FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing a sofa 70 to which the
baby mat according to the present invention is applied. Referring
to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the sofa 70 comprises a baby mat 60 having the
configuration shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B or FIGS. 6A and 6B, a back
face 65 and both side parts 66a and 66b provided so as to surround
a head region of the baby mat 60. According to the baby mat 60
constituting the sofa 70, a notch is provided in the central part
on the back side (opposite side of the side shown in FIG. 7A) shown
by a dotted line in FIG. 7A, so that a leg part 60a of the baby mat
60 can be folded along the notch as shown by an arrow in FIG. 7A.
Therefore, when the leg part 60a is folded, there can be provided
the sofa 70 shown in FIG. 7B. Thus, the baby mat can be used not
only as a baby bed by itself, but also as the sofa 70 by folding
the baby mat.
[0052] Although the embodiments of the present invention were
described with reference to the drawings above, the present
invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Therefore,
various kinds of modifications and variations can be made to the
illustrated embodiments within the same or equivalent scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *