U.S. patent application number 10/811298 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for infant sleep positioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Boppy Company. Invention is credited to Brown, Susan M., Littlehorn, Sheila.
Application Number | 20050210592 10/811298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34987960 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050210592 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Littlehorn, Sheila ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
Infant sleep positioner
Abstract
A sleep positioner comprises a body region having a top surface
forming loop fasteners and first and second support cushions each
having a flat bottom surface having at least one hook fastener. The
support cushions are removably positionable on the top surface of
the body region to form a space therebetween to receive and
maintain an infant in a supine position. A support pillow extends
from at least a portion of the body region and includes a cushion
member having a support region, to support at least a portion of
the head of the infant, at least partially surrounding a pressure
relief region. The pressure relief region is configured to receive
at least a portion of the back side of the head such that pressure
applied to the back side of the head is reduced when lying in the
supine position.
Inventors: |
Littlehorn, Sheila;
(Littleton, CO) ; Brown, Susan M.; (Golden,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
The Boppy Company
Golden
CO
|
Family ID: |
34987960 |
Appl. No.: |
10/811298 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/008 20130101;
A47D 15/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 |
International
Class: |
A47D 013/00 |
Claims
1. A sleep positioner for maintaining an infant in a supine
position, the sleep positioner comprising: a body region having a
top surface forming loop fasteners; a first support cushion and a
second support cushion, the first and second support cushions each
having a flat bottom surface, each of the flat bottom surfaces
having at least one hook fastener, wherein the first and second
support cushions are removably positionable on the top surface of
the body region to form a space therebetween to receive and
maintain the infant in the supine position; and a support pillow
extending from at least a portion of the body region including a
support region at least partially surrounding a pressure relief
region, wherein the support region is configured to support at
least a portion of the head of the infant, and wherein the pressure
relief region is configured to receive at least a portion of the
back side of the head such that pressure applied to the back side
of the head is reduced when lying in the supine position; wherein
the body region extends outward in a direction away from the
support pillow such that a width of the body region is larger than
a width of the support pillow, whereby the first and second support
cushions are connectable to the body region at locations laterally
beyond the support pillow.
2. The sleep positioner of claim 1, further comprising a sound
component to generate sounds for the infant.
3. The sleep positioner of claim 2, wherein the sound component
generates a sound simulating a heartbeat.
4. The sleep positioner of claim 2, wherein the sound component
further includes a timer, the sound component to stop generating
the sounds upon the expiration of the timer.
5. The sleep positioner of claim 2, wherein the sound component is
at least partially located inside a cavity defined by the first
support cushion and wherein the sound component includes an
activation mechanism to activate the sound component, the sound
component activated by depressing a region of the first support
cushion located above the activation mechanism.
6. The sleep positioner of claim 5, wherein the first support
cushion comprises a removable cover covering the sound component,
wherein removal of the removable cover exposes the sound
component.
7. The sleep positioner of claim 1, further comprising a vibrator
component at least partially enclosed by the first support
cushion.
8. The sleep positioner of claim 1, further comprising a recordable
sound component including a record mechanism to record a voice and
a playback mechanism to playback the recorded voice.
9. The sleep positioner of claim 8, wherein the recordable sound
component further includes a detection mechanism to detect a sound
made by the infant and to activate the playback mechanism upon
detection of the sound.
10. The sleep positioner of claim 8, wherein the recordable sound
component is located in a cavity defined by the first support
cushion.
11. The sleep positioner of claim 1, further comprising a
microphone to capture sounds made by the infant and to transmit the
sounds to an external receiver.
12. The sleep positioner of claim 11, wherein the microphone is
located at least partially within the support pillow.
13. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the first support
cushion has an arcuate upper surface.
14. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the first support
cushion includes a pocket to hold a pacifier.
15. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the support region
comprises a gel insert.
16. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the support region
comprises a shape retaining material that retains at least a
portion of a shape of the infant's head.
17. The sleep positioner of claim 28, wherein the shape retaining
material comprises a viscoelastic material.
18. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the support pillow is inflatable.
19. The sleep positioner of claim 1, further comprising a wedge
coupled with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the body
region and a bottom surface of the support pillow, the wedge having
an inclined surface for positioning the body of the infant at an
inclined angle.
20. The sleep positioner of claim 19, wherein the wedge comprises a
gel material.
21. The sleep positioner of claim 19, wherein the wedge comprises a
viscoelastic material.
22. The sleep positioner of claim 19, wherein the wedge is
inflatable.
23. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the body region has an
outer periphery generally having a rectangular geometry.
24. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the body region
comprises at least one of a quilted material, a gel insert, a
viscoelastic material, an inflatable material, a temperature
regulating material, and a scented material.
25. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of
the body region is a waterproof material.
26. The sleep positioner of claim 25, wherein the waterproof
material is vinyl.
27. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the first support
cushion has a length in the range from about 6 inches to about 8
inches and a width in the range from about 2 inches to about 4
inches.
28. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the support pillow
further includes an arcuate flange disposed on the support region,
the arcuate flange configured to maintain the head of the infant on
the support pillow.
29. The sleep positioner of claim 28, wherein the arcuate flange is
padded.
30. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the pressure relief
region comprises a recessed portion in the support pillow.
31. The sleep positioner of claim 30, wherein the recessed portion
comprises an aperture extending through the sleep pillow.
32. The sleep positioner of claim 30, wherein the recessed portion
has a cross-sectional shape that is selected from a group
consisting of a circle, an oval, an ellipse and combinations
thereof.
33. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the pressure relief
region is less resilient that the support region.
34. The sleep positioner of claim 1, wherein the support pillow has
an outer periphery consisting of one of a circular geometry, a
semicircular geometry, and a rectangular geometry.
35. (canceled)
36. A sleep positioner for maintaining an infant in a supine
position, the sleep positioner comprising: a body region having a
top surface forming loop fasteners and a bottom surface that is
constructed of a waterproof material; a first support cushion
disposed on the top surface of the body region; a second support
cushion having a flat bottom surface an arcuate upper surface, the
flat bottom surface having at least one hook fastener to removably
position the second support cushion on the top surface of the body
region so that a space is defined between the first support cushion
and the second support cushion, the space operable to receive and
maintain the infant in the supine position; a sound component
positioned at least partially inside one of the first support
cushion and the second support cushion; and a support pillow,
extending from at least a portion of the body region, including a
support region at least partially surrounding a pressure relief
region and a padded member disposed about a periphery of the
support region, wherein the support region is configured to support
at least a portion of the head of the infant, and wherein the
pressure relief region is configured to receive a portion of the
back side of the head such that pressure applied to the back side
of the head is reduced when lying in the supine position.
37. The sleep positioner of claim 36, wherein the sound component
generates a sound simulating a heartbeat.
38. The sleep positioner of claim 36, wherein the sound component
further includes a timer, the sound component to stop generating
sounds upon the expiration of the timer.
39. The sleep positioner of claim 36, wherein the first support
cushion has a flat bottom surface having at least one hook fastener
to removably position the first support cushion on the body
region.
40. The sleep positioner of claim 36, wherein the support pillow
further includes a microphone component to capture sounds made by
the infant and to transmit the sounds to an external receiver.
41. A method for maintaining an infant in a supine position, the
method comprising: providing a sleep positioner comprising a body
region having a top surface forming loop fasteners, first and
second support cushions each having a flat bottom surface including
at least one hook fastener to removably position the first and
second support cushions on the top surface of the body region, and
a support pillow having a support region at least partially
surrounding a pressure relief region, wherein the support region is
generally flat and the pressure relief region is generally flush
with or recessed relative to the support region and wherein the
body region extends laterally outward from the support pillow such
that a width of the body region is larger than a width of the
support pillow; and placing an infant in a supine position in a
space formed between the first support cushion and the second
support cushion, with the infant's head resting on the support
region, and with at least a portion of the infant's head being
disposed over the pressure relief region such that pressure applied
to the back side of the head is reduced; adjusting at least one of
the first support cushion and the second support cushion to fit
against a side of the infant such that at least a portion of the
first and second support cushions are laterally beyond the support
pillow.
42. The method of claim 41, further comprising providing a sound
component to generate sounds for the infant.
43. The method of claim 41, further comprising providing a
microphone component to record sounds made by the infant and to
transmit the sounds to an external receiver.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Medical advice now suggests that infants should be placed on
their backs or side when sleeping in order to reduce the number of
incidents of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or "crib death" as
it is commonly known. Even though parents place their babies on
their backs, active babies can sometimes roll themselves over onto
their stomachs. As this can increase the risk of SIDS, parents can
experience a great deal of anxiety when finding their infants lying
on their stomachs.
[0002] A variety of sleep positioners have been developed to help
maintain infants in the supine position. However, using these sleep
positioners can sometimes lead to a situation where the back of the
baby's head becomes flattened. Although probably not a medical
condition, "flat head" syndrome may cause concern to some
parents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Infant sleep positioners and methods for maintaining an
infant in a supine position are disclosed. In one embodiment, the
infant sleep positioner comprises a body region, first and second
support cushions, and a support pillow. The body region has a top
surface forming loop fasteners. The first and second support
cushions each have a flat bottom surface having at least one hook
fastener. Either or both of the support cushion may have an arcuate
upper surface. Additionally, the length of the support cushions may
be in the range from about 6 inches to about 8 inches and a may
have a width in the range from about 2 inches to about 4
inches.
[0004] The support cushions are removably positionable on the top
surface of the body region to form a space therebetween to receive
and maintain the infant in the supine position. The support pillow
extends from at least a portion of the body region and supports the
head of the infant when in the supine position. The support pillow
includes a cushion member having a support region, configured to
support at least a portion of the head of the infant, at least
partially surrounding a pressure relief region. The pressure relief
region is configured to receive at least a portion of the back side
of the head such that pressure applied to the back side of the head
is reduced when lying in the supine position.
[0005] In some embodiments, the sleep positioner may further
comprise a sound component to generate sounds, such as a simulated
heartbeat, for the infant. The sound component may further include
a timer to stop generating the sounds upon the expiration of the
timer. The sound component may be located inside a cavity of one of
the support cushions and may be activated by depressing a region of
the support cushion located above an activation mechanism of the
sound component. The support cushion may include a removable cover
covering the sound component, which when removed, exposes the sound
component. Alternately, or additionally, one of the support
cushions may also include a vibrator component. Either the same
support cushion or the second support cushion may also include a
pocket to hold a pacifier or other baby items.
[0006] The sleep positioner may alternately or additionally include
a recordable sound component. The recordable sound component
includes a record mechanism to record a voice and a playback
mechanism to playback the recorded voice. A detection mechanism may
also be included to detect a sound made by the infant and to
activate the playback mechanism upon detection of the sound. The
recordable sound component may be located in a cavity defined by
the first support cushion.
[0007] Additionally, in some embodiments, the sleep positioner may
include a microphone to capture sounds made by the infant. The
sounds may be transmitted to an external receiver. The microphone
may be located at least partially within the support pillow.
[0008] The support region and/or the body region may include a gel
insert. In alternate embodiments either or both of the support
region and the body region may be inflatable or may be made of a
shape retaining material (such as a viscoelastic material) to
retain the shape of the infant. Some embodiments may further
include a wedge coupled with at least a portion of the bottom
surface of the body region and a bottom surface of the support
pillow which has an inclined surface for positioning the body of
the infant at an inclined angle. The wedge may also be comprised by
a variety of materials, such as a gel insert, inflatable material,
or a viscoelastic material.
[0009] The body region may have an outer periphery having a
rectangular geometry. It may comprise a quilted material. The
material may have properties to enhance the infant's comfort. By
way of example, the material may be scented. As a second example,
the material may be a temperature regulating material.
Additionally, a bottom surface of the body region may be a
waterproof material, such as vinyl.
[0010] In some embodiments, the support pillow may further include
an arcuate flange disposed on the cushion member. The arcuate
flange is configured to maintain the head of the infant on the
support pillow. Optionally, the arcuate flange may be padded. The
pressure relief region may comprise a recessed portion in the
cushion member, which may optionally comprise an aperture extending
through the cushion member. The recessed portion may have a variety
of shapes. By way of example, the recessed portion may have a
cross-sectional shape consisting of a circle, an oval, an ellipse,
or combinations of these shapes. The cushion member may have an
outer periphery consisting of a circular geometry, a semicircular
geometry, or a rectangular geometry. The width of the body region
may be larger than the width of the support pillow.
[0011] In a second embodiment, the sleep positioner may comprise a
body region having a top surface forming loop fasteners and a first
support cushion disposed on the top surface of the body region. The
sleep positioner further includes a second support cushion having a
flat bottom surface having at least one hook fastener to removably
position the second support cushion on the top surface of the body
region so that a space is defined between the first support cushion
and the second support cushion. The space is operable to receive
and maintain the infant in the supine position. A sound component
is positioned at least partially inside one of the first support
cushion and the second support cushion. A support pillow, extending
from at least a portion of the body region, includes a cushion
member having a support region at least partially surrounding a
pressure relief region. A padded member is disposed about a
periphery of the support region. The support region is configured
to support at least a portion of the head of the infant and the
pressure relief region is configured to receive a portion of the
back side of the head such that pressure applied to the back side
of the head is reduced when lying in the supine position.
[0012] In a third embodiment, a method for maintaining an infant in
a supine position is disclosed. The method comprises providing a
sleep positioner comprising a body region having a top surface
forming loop fasteners and first and second support cushions. Each
of the support cushions has a flat bottom surface including at
least one hook fastener to removably position the first and second
support cushions on the top surface of the body region. The sleep
positioner further comprises a support pillow having a support
region at least partially surrounding a pressure relief region. The
support region is generally flat and the pressure relief region is
generally flush with or recessed relative to the support region.
The method further comprises placing an infant in a supine position
in a space formed between the first support cushion and the second
support cushion with the infant's head resting on the support
region. At least a portion of the infant's head is disposed over
the pressure relief region such that pressure applied to the back
side of the head is reduced. At least one of the first support
cushion and the second support cushion is adjusted to fit against a
side of the infant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of an infant sleep
positioner;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an end view of the support cushion shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exemplary a bottom view of the support cushion
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a second exemplary bottom view of a support
cushion used in an infant sleep positioner;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the infant sleep positioner of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of an
infant sleep positioner; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a third exemplary embodiment of an infant sleep
positioner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In the following description, for the purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are se t forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
Although concrete embodiments will be described with reference to
an infant sleep positioner used to maintain an infant in a supine
position, with minimal or no variations, the positioner may also be
used to maintain an infant in a side-lying position. Additionally,
with some minor variations, the sleep positioner may also be used
to maintain an older child or an adult in a supine or side-lying
position.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an infant
sleep positioner. The sleep positioner 10 includes a body region
14. A variety of materials may be used to form body region 14. For
example, in one embodiment, the body region 14 may be a quilted
material formed by placing a fill material between fabric pieces.
Seams may be sewn into the fabric to prevent shifting of the fill
material. The fill material may be selected to enhance the comfort
of an infant lying in a supine position. Thus, resilient or
"cushiony" materials may be used. By way of example, fill materials
that may be used include inflatable materials that may be filled
with air or fluids, gel inserts, and viscoelastic material (e.g.,
memory foam or other type of material that at least partially
retains the shape of the infant). Other exemplary materials include
rubbers (including foamed rubber), padding, fibers, fiberballs,
polyester fill material, fabrics, small pellets, and/or natural
materials (e.g., feathers, seeds, hair). Fill materials may be used
alone or in various combinations and materials other than those
mentioned may also be used. In alternate embodiments, the body
region 14 may not be quilted.
[0022] In some embodiments, the body region 14 may have other
properties to enhance the comfort of an infant. For example, the
body region 14 may include a temperature regulating material.
Alternately, or additionally, the body region 14 may include a
scented material, such as lavender, which may have a calming effect
on the infant.
[0023] A top surface of the body region 14 may form a plurality of
loop fasteners (not shown). As will be described further below,
loop fasteners may be used to removably attach support cushions 22,
24 to body region 14. Other fastening means, such as snaps,
buttons, glue, or sewing may also be used to attach support
cushions 22, 24 to body region 14. Optionally, a bottom surface of
the body region may be a waterproof material, such as vinyl. This
may prevent the transfer of liquids from the sleep positioner 10 to
a surface on which the sleep positioner 10 is placed.
[0024] The sleep positioner 10 further includes support cushions
22, 24. Support cushions 22, 24 may be formed by placing a fill
material between fabric pieces. Fill materials may include any of
the fill materials previously mentioned or other appropriate
materials. As will be explained further below, support cushions 22,
24 may be used to maintain the infant in the supine position. Thus,
the support cushions 22, 24 may be a variety of shapes that may
help prevent the infant from rolling over. For example, as shown in
the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, support cushion 22 may
have a flat bottom surface and an arcuate upper surface. The
support cushions may be elongated and have a length in the range
from about three inches to about twelve inches, more preferably
from about six inches to about eight inches, and a width in the
range from about 1 inch to about 6 inches, more preferably from
about 2 inches to about 4 inches. Support cushion 24 may be shaped
the same or differently from support cushion 22. Alternate sized
support cushions 22, 24 may also be used to retain the infant in a
supine position.
[0025] To accommodate the different shapes and sizes of infants,
one or both of the support cushions 22, 24 may be removably
positionable on the top surface of the body region 14. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 3, one or both of the support cushions 22, 24 may
include at least one hook fastener 30 attached to a bottom surface
of the support cushion 22, 24. Hook fastener(s) 30 may be have
various shapes and arrangements. The support cushions 22, 24 may be
initially placed on the body region 14 to form a space between the
support cushions 22, 24 to approximately accommodate the infant
placed in the supine position. After the infant is placed in the
space, further adjustments may be made to the positioning of the
support cushions 22, 24 as necessary.
[0026] The sleep positioner 10 further includes a support pillow 12
extending from at least a portion of the body region 14. Support
pillow 12 may be seamed together with body region 14 or may
seamlessly extend from body region 14. As illustrated in the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the body region 14 may generally
have a rectangular perimeter which tapers to a narrower width at
one end. The support pillow 12 may extend from the narrower width
portion of the body region 14. It should be appreciated that in
alternate embodiments, support pillow 12 and body region 14 may be
of various shapes and sizes. For example, the support pillow 12 may
have an outer perimeter that is generally semicircular, generally
circular, generally rectangular, or another appropriate shape.
Similar or alternate shapes may also be used for body region
14.
[0027] The support pillow 12 is designed to receive the back of the
infant's head and comprises a support region 16 and a pressure
relief region 18. Support region 16 may conveniently be constructed
by stuffing a fill material between pieces of fabric in a manner
similar to a conventional pillow. The fill material may be a
resilient material, such as an inflatable material, a gel material,
a viscoelastic material, or other type or combination of fill
materials previously described with reference to body region 14.
The fill material used in support region 16 may be the same or
different from the fill material used in body region 14.
[0028] Support region 16 includes a central aperture that extends
through support region 16. This aperture defines pressure relief
region 18. In use, the back of the infant's head rests upon the
support region 16 and is disposed over the pressure relief region
18. Thus, a substantial amount of pressure that would otherwise be
applied to a generally small region on the back of the infant's
head when lying in a supine position to be distributed to other
locations on the head. This may eliminate or reduce the flattening
of the back of the infant's head that may occur over time from
lying in a supine position.
[0029] The pressure relief region 18 may be configured in a number
of ways, such as, for example, an aperture or depression surrounded
at least in part by the support region 16, a material that is less
resilient that the support region 16, or the like. The outer
perimeter of the pressure relief region 18 may be varied. By way of
example, the outer perimeter may be circular, square, rectangular,
elliptical, arcuate, or the like. As previously described, in use,
the back of the infant's head rests on support region 16 and is
positioned over the pressure relief region 18. If configured as an
aperture, the back of the head may experience no pressure at this
region (with the entire weight of the head being supported by the
surrounding support region 16). Alternatively, the support region
16 may be configured to have a certain height, outer perimeter
and/or resilience so that some of the head's weight is supported by
a surface positioned below the support region 16.
[0030] Optionally, support pillow 12 may further include an arcuate
padded roll 20 partially surrounding support region 16. Roll 20
fits snugly around the infant's head and may serves to support the
infant's neck as well as to prevent the infant's head from rolling
off of support pillow 12. U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,403, hereby
incorporated by reference, discloses further details of a sleep
pillow 12 that may be used in sleep positioner 10.
[0031] In use, an infant may be placed onto sleep positioner 10,
with the infant's head being surrounded by roll 20, and the
infant's back and legs resting on body region 14. The infant's arms
may be spread out between the support pillow 12 and the support
cushions 22, 24. Support cushions 22, 24 may be adjusted to fit
snugly against the infant's sides. The back of the infant's head
fits within the aperture defined by pressure relief region 18. The
sides of the head rest upon support region 18. Depending on the
resilience of support region 16, its height, and the shape and size
of the aperture, the back of the head may rest upon a surface below
support pillow 12, or may be suspended above the surface. In this
way, the pressure applied to the back of the head is greatly
reduced or eliminated to prevent flattening of the back of the
head, as well as providing additional comfort to the infant.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, one of the
support cushions 22 may further include a sound component 34 to
generate sounds for the infant. By way of example, the sound
component 34 may generate sounds simulating a heartbeat, which may
help sooth the infant. The sound component 34 may be located inside
a cavity 32 at the bottom of the support cushion 22. Support
cushion 22 may include a removable slip cover that may be used to
cover the sound component 34. Thus, hook fastener 30 may be
attached to the bottom surface of the slip cover. This may provide
for the ability to remove sound component 34 from support cushion
22 before washing. Alternately, the sound component 34 may be
exposed at the bottom surface of the support cushion 22. In other
embodiments, the sound component 34 may be positioned in a
different location (e.g., a location near the top surface) of
support cushion 22 or may be located in a different part of sleep
positioner 10, such as body region 14 or support pillow 12.
[0033] The sound component 34 may include an activation mechanism
(not shown), such as a push button, that may be used to activate
the sound component 34. By way of example, activation mechanism may
be activated by depressing an area of the support cushion 22
located above the activation mechanism. In some embodiments,
activation mechanism may also be used to deactivate the sound
component 34. Alternately, or additionally, sound component 34 may
include a timer. Upon activation, the sound component 34 will
continue to generate sounds until the timer expires.
[0034] In some embodiments, sound component 34 may be a recordable
sound component that may be used to record and playback a voice
(such as the infant's mother or father). Sound component 34 may
therefore include a record mechanism that may be used to record
sounds for the infant. Sound component 34 may also optionally
include a detection mechanism to detect a sound made by the infant
and to activate a playback mechanism upon detection of the sound.
The detection mechanism may only activate the playback mechanism if
the sounds detected are of a sufficient volume or character (e.g.,
crying). In alternate embodiments, the recordable sound component
may be a component separate from sound component 34. In these
embodiments, sleep positioner 10 may include both a sound component
to generate soothing sounds (such as a heartbeat) for the infant
and a recordable sound component which may be used to automatically
provide the sounds of a familiar voice to a crying infant.
[0035] In addition to, or instead of sound component(s) 34, sleep
positioner 10 may further include a vibrator component (not shown).
This may provide the ability to generate soothing vibrations for
the infant. Thus, vibrator component may be located at least
partially within a cavity defined by of one or both of the support
cushions 22, 24. As described with reference to the sound component
34, the support cushion(s) in which the vibrator component is
located may include a slip cover that may be removed to expose
vibrator component so that it may be removed before washing.
Vibrator component may alternately be located within body region
14. Activation mechanisms and/or timers that operate in a similar
fashion to that described above may also be used with vibrator
component.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, sleep positioner 10 may be configured so
that body region 14 and support pillow 12 lie flat on a surface.
Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 6, sleep positioner 10 may
include a wedge 40 coupled with at least a portion of the bottom
surface of the body region 14 and the bottom surface of the support
pillow 12. Wedge 40 has an inclined surface which causes the
support pillow and body region 14 to be at an angle inclined to the
surface on which the sleep positioner 10 rests. As can be
appreciated, this causes the infant's head to be elevated, which
may ease nasal congestion and may help improve digestion. Wedge 40
may be comprised any type of resilient material, such as the
resilient materials previously described (e.g., gel, viscoelastic,
inflatable, etc.).
[0037] Sleep positioner 10 may include additional components that
may enhance the comfort of the infant or provide features that
enhance the usability of sleep positioner 10. Exemplary additional
features that may enhance the functionality of sleep positioner 10
will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. It should be
appreciated that each of these features may be used alone or in
various combinations with the other features previously
described.
[0038] Infants often use a pacifier to sooth themselves to sleep.
Thus, a pocket 44 may be provided with sleep positioner 10 to hold
a pacifier. The pocket 44 may be located on one of the support
cushions or may be in an alternate location (e.g., the body region
14). After placing the infant in the sleep positioner 10, the
pacifier may conveniently be retrieved from the pocket 44, which
may be defined by one of the support cushions 24. The pocket 44 may
also or alternately be used to hold other baby items.
[0039] A microphone 42 may also, or alternately, be included as
part of sleep positioner 10. The microphone 42 may be used to
capture sounds made by the infant. The captures sounds are then
transmitted to an external receiver. Thus, the parents of the
infant are provided with the ability to monitor noises made by the
infant while the infant is positioned within sleep positioner
10.
[0040] The invention has now been described in detail for the
purposes of clarity of understanding. However, it will be
appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims.
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