U.S. patent application number 11/341095 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for infant positioner for reducing risk of overheating in infants.
Invention is credited to Mariann Straub.
Application Number | 20060168733 11/341095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36754913 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060168733 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Straub; Mariann |
August 3, 2006 |
Infant positioner for reducing risk of overheating in infants
Abstract
An infant positioner comprising a mat and supporting opposed
pillows. This combination creates a cradle for positioning an
infant within the device. While the infant rests or sleeps in the
device, ventilating channels are provided in each of the opposed
pillows for regulating the temperature of the infant and, thereby,
reducing the risk of the infant becoming overheated. The device
further provides opposed pillows that are adjustable for
accommodating various positions for the infant.
Inventors: |
Straub; Mariann; (Winnetka,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNECHTEL DEMEUR & SAMLAN;ATTN: ALAN B. SAMLAN
222 S. RIVERSIDE, SUITE 1410
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
36754913 |
Appl. No.: |
11/341095 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60648267 |
Jan 28, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/003 20130101;
A47D 13/08 20130101; A47D 15/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/00 20060101
A47G009/00; A47D 15/00 20060101 A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. A device for holding an infant, comprising: means for supporting
the infant; means for positioning the infant in a position relative
to the means for supporting the infant; means for affixing the
means for positioning the infant to the means for supporting the
infant; a ventilation channel formed in the means for positioning
the infant, the ventilation channel enabling the transfer of air
through the means for positioning the infant to and from the infant
held by the device.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the
infant is a mat.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for positioning the
infant in a position relative to the means for supporting the
infant consists of two opposed pillows.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein one of the opposed pillows has a
cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of
a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon,
rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the shape of one of the opposed
pillows is curved.
6. The device of claim 3 wherein the other of the opposed pillows
has a cross sectional shape that is selected from the group
consisting of a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle,
hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the shape of the other of the
opposed pillows is curved.
8. The device of claim 3 wherein the two opposed pillows are placed
adjacent to one another for creating a cradle between them for
holding the infant.
9. The device of claim 3 wherein the two opposed pillows are spaced
apart from one another for creating a cradle for holding the infant
between them and the means for supporting the infant.
10. The device of claim 3 wherein each pillow has an interior side
and an opposed exterior side, the interior side of each pillow
facing in the direction towards the infant.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the ventilation channel extends
through each pillow from the interior side to the exterior
side.
12. The device of claim 3 wherein each opposed pillow contains a
plurality of ventilation channels.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the plurality of ventilation
channels are spaced apart from one another for providing access to
different regions of the infant.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein the ventilation channel has a
cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of
a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon,
rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.
15. The device of claim 3 wherein the opposed pillows are
permanently secured to the means for supporting the infant.
16. The device of claim 3 wherein the opposed pillows are
releasably attached to the means for supporting the infant.
17. A device for holding an infant on their back or side,
comprising: two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another,
each having a first side and a second side; a cradle formed between
the first sides of each the opposed pillows, the cradle engagedly
holding the infant; a passageway extending through at least one of
the opposed pillows from the first side to the second side for
providing a channel through which air can flow to and from the
infant held in the cradle.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein the passageway is located within
the at least one opposed pillow for providing the access of air to
and from the regions of the infant selected from the group
consisting of upper, middle, and lower.
19. The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one opposed pillow
contains a plurality of passageways.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the plurality of passageways
have a constant diameter.
21. The device of claim 21 wherein the variable diameter of each of
the plurality of passageways is different from one another.
22. The device of claim 17 wherein the other of the opposed pillows
contains a passageway that extends from the first side to the
second side for providing a channel through which air can flow to
and from the opposite side of the infant held in the cradle.
23. The device of claim 17 wherein the passageway has a cross
sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a
circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus,
trapezoid, and octagon.
24. The device of claim 17 wherein the opposed pillows have a cross
sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a
circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus,
trapezoid, and octagon.
25. The device of claim 17 wherein the opposed pillows are
curved.
26. A device for holding an infant on their back or side,
comprising: two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another for
creating a cradle between them to hold the infant; a ventilation
channel formed in at least one of the opposed pillows for providing
the flow of air to and from the infant.
Description
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to infant positioners and,
more particularly, to a device for positioning an infant on their
back or side while sleeping and providing unobstructed ventilation
to the infant for reducing the risk of the infant becoming over
heated and, thereby, reducing the risk of sudden infant death.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Medical studies have shown that infants who sleep on their
backs or sides have a reduced risk of dying suddenly from Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), compared to infants who sleep on
their stomachs. One example of such a device is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,473,923 entitled "Infant Positioner For Reducing Risk of
Positional Plagiocephaly." As disclosed, this device provides a mat
for supporting the torso of an infant, a first body pillow attached
to the mat, a second body pillow attached to the mat in spaced
relationship with the first body pillow, and a head positioner
attached to the mat for supporting the head of the infant while
lying on their back or side between the first and second body
pillows. Other similar or related devices are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,473,923; 5,341,531; D448,227; D446,675; D408,676;
D385,143; D369,934; and D369,054.
[0003] Although these and other similar devices may have decreased
the incidence of SIDS based on the sleeping position of infants,
some of these devices may be inherently fostering the incidence of
overheating in infants. The reason is that the mat and body pillows
of these devices can create an inherent blanket around the infant
which, among other uses, assists in providing additional warmth to
the infant and retaining the heat emitted by the infant. Since
infants are unable to regulate their body temperature like adults,
this accumulated warmth provided by these devices may cause an
infant to become over heated. As medical research suggests that
overheating of infants could affect an infant's breathing and
encourage bacterial growth as well as possibly be responsible for
or another factor that causes SIDS, there is a need and there has
never been disclosed Applicant's unique ventilating infant
positioner for reducing the heat generated by infant devices and
the risk of infants becoming overheated while sleeping.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is an infant positioner comprising a
mat and supporting opposed pillows. This combination creates a
cradle for positioning an infant within the device. Ventilating
channels are provided in each of the opposed pillows for regulating
the temperature of the infant while the infant rests or sleeps in
the device, thereby, reducing the risk of the infant becoming
overheated. The device further provides opposed pillows that are
adjustable for accommodating various positions for the infant.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better
understood with reference to the following figures:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of Applicant's unique
ventilating infant positioner.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross section view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
1, of Applicant's ventilating infant positioner.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the ventilating infant positioner
and, in particular, illustrating the shape of the pillows and the
ventilating channels.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
Applicant's unique ventilating infant positioner.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross section view, taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4, of the alternate embodiment of Applicant's ventilating infant
positioner.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the
ventilating infant positioner and, in particular, illustrating the
alternate shape of the pillows and the ventilating channels.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternate
embodiment of the ventilating infant positioner and, in particular,
illustrating alternate ventilation channels.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view of the second alternate embodiment of
the ventilating infant positioner and, in particular, illustrating
one means for connecting adjacent ventilation channels.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a top view of the second alternate embodiment of
the ventilating infant positioner and, in particular, illustrating
a second means for connecting adjacent ventilation channels.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view of a third alternate embodiment of the
ventilating infant positioner and, in particular, illustrating one
means for adjusting a pillow for varying the positioning of the
infant.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a top view of a fourth alternate embodiment of
the ventilating infant positioner and, in particular, illustrating
a second means for adjusting each pillow for varying the
positioning of the infant.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an infant
positioner 10 having a first body pillow 12, a second body pillow
14, and a mat 16. The mat 16 has a top surface 18 and sides 20 and
22. The first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are
permanently secured to the mat 16 with each extending outwardly
from the top surface 18.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 is
positioned adjacent to side 20 of the mat 16 and the second body
pillow 14 is positioned adjacent to the side 22 of the mat 16. In
this manner, the combination of the first body pillow 12, the
second body pillow 14, and the mat 16 coact to create a cradle 24
between them to receive an infant 26 (the infant 26 is illustrated
in phantom and does not form a part of the invention).
[0019] The first body pillow 12 and second body pillow 14 are
shaped to receive and position the infant 26 on the back while
sleeping. In this embodiment, the first body pillow 12 and the
second body pillow 14 are preferably triangular in cross section
having an interior side 30, an exterior side 32, and a bottom side
35 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the first body pillow 12 and/or the
second body pillow 14 may be shaped as a rectangle, square, circle,
oval, ovid, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, octagon, etc. . . . In the
preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 and the second body
pillow 14 are curved such that the interior sides 30 of the first
body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 each create a pillow
having a concave shape facing towards the infant 26. As shown in
FIG. 3, the interior sides 30 of the first body pillow 12 and the
second body pillow 14 are separated by a distance 34 at both a
proximal end 36 and distal end 38 of the infant positioner 10 and
by a distance 40 at the midpoint between the proximal end 36 and
distal end 38 of the infant positioner 40. In this manner, the
first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are a mirror
image of one another. The cradle 24 that is formed between these
shaped pillows has been found useful for positioning the infant 26
on its back.
[0020] In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the
first body pillow 12 and second body pillow 14 are shaped for
positioning the infant 26 on its side. In this embodiment, the
first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 have a shape and
contour that is identical to one another. The result is that the
interior side 30 of the first body pillow 12 continues to create a
concave shape facing towards the infant 26, as in the original
embodiment, with the interior side 30 of the second body pillow 14
being changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape
facing towards the infant 26. The cradle 24 that is formed between
this combination of shaped pillows has been found useful for
positioning the infant 26 on its left side.
[0021] Although not illustrated, should this combination be
completely reversed such that the interior side 30 of the first
body pillow 12 provides the convex shape facing towards the infant
26 and the interior side of the second body pillow 14 provides the
concave shape facing towards the infant 26, the cradle 24 that is
formed between this combination of shaped pillows would be useful
for positioning the infant 26 on its right side.
[0022] Alternatively, instead of being curved, the first body
pillow 12, the second body pillow 14, or both may have straight
sides or any other combination of shapes or contours for creating
the cradle 24 for the infant 26 provided that the resulting
combination is acceptable for holding the infant 26.
[0023] Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the first body pillow 12
and the second body pillow 14 are provided with ventilating
channels 28. The ventilating channels 28 extend from the interior
side 30 to the exterior side 32 of each pillow. In the preferred
embodiment, the air surrounding the infant positioner 10 has direct
access, through each of the ventilating channels 28, to the infant
26 being held within the infant positioner 10. Likewise, the air
surrounding the infant 26 within the cradle 24 and the temperature
or heat emanating from the infant 26 which is trapped between the
infant 26 and the mat 16 and pillows 12, 14 has direct access,
through each of the ventilating channels 28, to the outside air
surrounding the infant positioner 10. As a result and discussed in
more detail below, the ventilating channels 28 enable the transfer
of air to and from the infant 26 for regulating the temperature of
the infant 26.
[0024] The ventilating channels 28 are positioned along the length
of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14. As
depicted in a non-limiting example, the first body pillow 12 and
the second body pillow 14 are each provided with three ventilating
channels 28. One is placed adjacent the proximal end 36 of the
infant positioner 10 and the upper region of the infant 26; one is
placed adjacent the midpoint of the infant positioner 10 and the
middle region of the infant 26; and one is placed adjacent the
distal end 38 of the infant positioner 10 and the lower region of
the infant 26. This combination of ventilating channels 28 in the
first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 provides air
access and temperature transfer to and from each of these regions
and on both sides of the infant 26.
[0025] Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first body pillow
12 and/or the second body pillow 14 may be provided with more or
less ventilating channels 28 provided that the ventilating channels
28 used are sufficient to achieve the necessary ventilation for
regulating the temperature of the infant 26 and reducing the risk
of the infant becoming over heated. Additionally, it is further
contemplated that the location of the ventilating channels 28 and
the number of ventilating channels 28 within the first body pillow
12 may be different than both the location and number of
ventilating channels 28 within the second body pillow 14. These
variations depend, in part, upon the vitals of the infant 26. For
example, if an infant 26 is medically overweight, the infant's body
may tend to generate more heat which, if not adequately ventilated
through the ventilating channels 28, could increase the temperature
of the infant 26 to unacceptable levels.
[0026] The ventilating channels 28 preferably extend in a straight
line through each pillow from the interior side 30 to the exterior
side 32. The straight line of the ventilating channels 28, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, remain parallel to the mat 16 and provide a
constant diameter. Alternatively, the ventilating channels 28 may
extend through the pillows in any curved, bent, or other form and
at any varying angles or diameter in relation to the mat 16 or
infant 26; provided that, the ventilating channels 28 accommodate
the necessary ventilation to and from the infant 26 and the outside
air surrounding the infant positioner 10.
[0027] In a non-limiting example, the ventilating channels 28, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, are circular in shape and maintain a
constant diameter. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the
ventilating channels 28 may be any shape including but not limited
to a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon,
octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, etc. . . . provided that the
ventilating channels 28 are of sufficient size, either individually
or in combination, to accommodate the necessary ventilation to and
from the infant 26 and the outside air surrounding the infant
positioner 10.
[0028] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a ventilating
channel 29 may be provided in either or both of the first body
pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 at their ends and/or other
sides. It is contemplated that the ventilating channel 29 may be
the only ventilating channel in the infant positioner 10 or used in
combination with any number of or various forms of the ventilating
channels 28 as disclosed herein.
[0029] In this embodiment, the ventilating channel 29 extends from
the interior side 30 to the exterior side 32 of the ends or sides
of each pillow adjacent the proximal end 36 and/or distal end 38 of
the infant positioner 10. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the ventilating
channel 29 may be connected directly to an adjacent ventilating
channel 28 and share a portion of the same channel extending from
the interior side 30 of the infant positioner 10. Alternatively, as
illustrated in FIG. 9, the ventilating channel 29 may be connected
directly to the interior side 30 of the infant positioner 10 and
sharing only the interior side 30 of the infant positioner 10 with
an adjacent ventilating channel 28. It is further contemplated that
the ventilating channel 29 may be completely separate or
independent from an adjacent ventilating channel 28.
[0030] It is further contemplated that the ventilating channel 29
may be any shape including but not limited to a circle, oval, ovid,
square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid,
etc. . . . provided that the ventilating channel 29 is of
sufficient size, either individually or in combination with the
ventilating channels 28 or other ventilating channels 29, to
accommodate the necessary ventilation to and from the infant 26 and
the outside air surrounding the infant positioner 10.
[0031] The ventilating channels 28 and/or ventilating channels 29
may be covered by a mesh or screen covering or any other means
known to one skilled in the art thereby preventing any foreign
impurities, articles, or other matter, that may be injurious,
harmful or otherwise, to reach the infant 26 or obstruct the flow
of air to and from the infant 26.
[0032] In use, the ventilating channels 28 and/or ventilating
channels 29 provide an unobstructed flow of air through the first
body pillow 12, the second body pillow 14, or both to and from the
infant 26. If the temperature of the infant 26 within the cradle 24
begins to increase to a level that becomes dangerous to the infant
or greater than the temperature of the outside air surrounding the
infant positioner 10, this excess heat or temperature will be
forced to flow along path A (FIG. 2) from the infant 26, through
the ventilating channels 28 or 29, and exit out the infant
positioner 10. As this excess heat or temperature is transferred
from the infant 26 and the cradle 24, the temperature of the infant
26 will decrease back to normal or remain constant rather than
increasing to an uncomfortable and/or unsafe temperature. Medical
studies have indicated that the preferable room temperature should
be sixteen to twenty degrees Celsius (16.degree. C.-20.degree. C.)
or sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit (60.degree. F.-70.degree.
F.). With this excess heat continually being transferred from the
infant 26 and the cradle 24, the temperature of the infant 26
should remain constant or at an acceptable level in this
temperature range. As a result, the infant positioner 10 utilizes
the ventilating channels 28 and/or ventilating channels 29 for
transferring the unnecessary heat in a direction away from the
infant 26 thereby reducing the risk of overheating in infants and
sudden infant death syndrome.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 10, the second body pillow 14 may
alternatively be releasably affixed to the top surface 18 of the
mat 16 using a fastener means 42 secured thereon. The fastening
means 42 is preferably a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro.RTM.
that is releasably affixed to the bottom side 35 of the second body
pillow 14. As depicted, the first body pillow 12 and the second
body pillow 14 are shaped in the original embodiment (FIG. 1) for
positioning the infant 26 on its back. By releasing the second body
pillow 14, rotating the second body pillow 14 through one hundred
and eighty degrees (180.degree.), and reaffixing the second body
pillow 14 to the mat 16, the first body pillow 12 and the second
body pillow 14 would be shaped in the alternate embodiment (FIG. 4)
for positioning the infant 26 on its left side.
[0034] Likewise, in the third embodiment, the first body pillow 12
may also be releasably affixed to the top surface 18 of the mat 16
using a fastener means 44 secured thereon. As illustrated in FIG.
11, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are
shown shaped in the original embodiment (FIG. 1) for positioning
the infant 26 on its back. By releasing the first body pillow 12,
rotating the first body pillow 12 through one hundred and eighty
degrees (180.degree.), and reaffixing the first body pillow 12 to
the mat 16, the first body pillow 12 would now be shaped identical
to the second body pillow 14 for positioning the infant 26 on its
right side.
[0035] Alternatively, since this embodiment provides that the
second body pillow 14 is also releasably affixed to the to the top
surface 18 of the mat 16, if the first body pillow remained
unchanged and the second body pillow 14 is released, rotated
through one hundred and eighty degrees (180.degree.), and reaffixed
to the mat 16, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow
14 would be shaped in the alternate embodiment (FIG. 4) for
positioning the infant 26 on its left side.
[0036] Thus, there has been provided a unique infant positioner for
providing unobstructed ventilation to the infant for reducing the
risk of the infant becoming over heated and, thereby, reducing the
risk of sudden infant death. While the invention has been described
in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
* * * * *