U.S. patent application number 11/655580 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for infant wedge sleep positioner.
Invention is credited to Mariann Straub.
Application Number | 20070163051 11/655580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39639819 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070163051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Straub; Mariann |
July 19, 2007 |
Infant wedge sleep positioner
Abstract
An infant wedge sleep positioner comprising a cushion, a
covering means for the cushion, one supporting pillow that is
fixedly secured to the covering means, and another opposed
supporting pillow that is releaseably secured to the covering means
for laterally moving this pillow in relation to the other pillow.
This combination creates a cradle for positioning an infant within
the device and accommodating a growing infant or different sized
infants. In an alternate embodiment, the infant wedge sleep
positioner further provides ventilating channels in one or both of
the supporting pillows for regulating the temperature of the infant
while the infant rests or sleeps, thereby, further reducing the
risk of the infant becoming overheated.
Inventors: |
Straub; Mariann; (Winnetka,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNECHTEL, DEMEUR & SAMLAN
525 W. MONROE STREET, SUITE 2360
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
39639819 |
Appl. No.: |
11/655580 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60760281 |
Jan 19, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 ;
5/922 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/008 20130101;
A47D 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 ;
005/922 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00; A47C 21/08 20060101 A47C021/08 |
Claims
1. A device for holding an infant, comprising: a cushion having a
top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and opposed side
surfaces, the top surface and the bottom surface sharing an edge at
one end of the cushion; means for covering the cushion; two opposed
pillows placed adjacent to one another, means for fixedly securing
the one opposed pillow to the means for covering the cushion; and
means for releasably securing the other opposed pillow to the means
for covering the cushion for providing lateral movement of the
pillow between the opposed side surfaces in relation to the other
opposed pillow, the lateral movement of the pillow covering less
than one-half of the distance between the opposed side
surfaces.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the cushion separated into a first
section and a second section with the first section situated on top
of the second section, the first section forming the entire top
surface and part of the back surface and opposed side surfaces, the
second section forming the entire bottom surface and part of the
back surface and opposed side surfaces.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the cushion has a cross sectional
shape that is substantially triangular in shape.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the top surface and the bottom
surface form an angle with respect to one another at the edge of
the cushion.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first section is made of a
memory foam material.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the second section is made of a
firm foam material.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein each opposed pillow is situated
adjacent to the edge of the cushion.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably securing
the other opposed pillow to the means for covering the cushion
comprises hook and loop fasteners.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for covering the cushion
is a cover.
10. The device of claim 10 wherein the cover is made from a
material selected from the group consisting of flannel and terry
cloth.
11. The device of claim 1 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.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the shape of one of the opposed
pillows is curved.
13. The device of claim 1 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.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the shape of the other of the
opposed pillows is curved.
15. A device for holding an infant on their back or side,
comprising: a first wedge shaped section having a top side, a
bottom side, a back side, and a proximal end and a distal end, the
first wedge shaped section made of a first material; a second wedge
shaped section having a top side, a bottom side, a back side, and a
proximal end and a distal end, the second wedge shaped section made
of a second material that is different from the first material; the
bottom side of the first wedge shaped section engagedly situated
adjacent to the top side of the second wedge shaped section with
the proximal ends and distal ends of each being aligned for forming
a unified wedge shaped cushion having an inclined surface and
opposed side surfaces; means for covering at least one of the
wedges; two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another, one
opposed pillow fixedly secured to the means for covering at least
one of the wedges, the other opposed pillow releasably secured to
the means for covering at least one of the wedges for providing
lateral movement of the pillow between the opposed side surfaces in
relation to the one opposed pillow; and a cradle formed between the
combination of the unified wedge and the opposed pillows, the
cradle engagedly holding the infant.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein the unified wedge shaped cushion
has an incline from the proximal end to the distal end.
17. The device of claim 15 wherein the incline in the cushion is
formed by an acute angle between the top side of the first wedge
and the bottom side of the second wedge.
18. The device of claim 15 wherein the first wedge shaped section
is substantially identical to the second wedge shaped section.
19. The device of claim 15 wherein the first material is made of a
memory foam material.
20. The device of claim 15 wherein the second material is made of a
firm foam material.
21. The device of claim 15 wherein the means for covering the
cushion is a cover.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the cover is made from a
material selected from the group consisting of flannel and terry
cloth.
23. The device of claim 15 wherein the lateral movement of the
other pillow covers less than one-half of the distance between the
opposed sides.
24. The device of claim 15 and further comprising a ventilation
channel in at least one of the opposed pillows for providing air
flow through the opposed pillow to and from the infant held in the
cradle.
25. A device for holding an infant, comprising: a cushion having a
top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and opposed side
surfaces, the top surface and the bottom surface sharing an edge at
one end of the cushion; means for covering the cushion; means for
positioning the infant in a position relative to the cushion; and 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.
26. The device of claim 25 wherein the cushion is separated into a
first section and a second section, the first section situated on
top of the second section, the first section forming the entire top
surface and part of the back surface and opposed side surfaces, the
second section forming the entire bottom surface and part of the
back surface and opposed side surfaces.
27. The device of claim 25 wherein the means for positioning the
infant in a position relative to the cushion comprises two opposed
pillows placed adjacent to one another, one opposed pillow fixedly
secured to the means for covering the cushion, the other opposed
pillow releasably secured to the means for covering the cushion for
providing lateral movement of the pillow between the opposed side
surfaces in relation to the other opposed pillow.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein the means for releasably
securing the other opposed pillow permits lateral movement of the
pillow for less than one-half of the distance between the opposed
side surfaces.
29. The device of claim 27 wherein the ventilation channel is
formed in one of the opposed pillows and extends through the pillow
from the interior side to another side.
Description
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to infant positioners and,
more particularly, to a wedge sleep positioner device for
positioning an infant on their back or side while sleeping,
thereby, reducing the risk of sudden infant death. The device
further provides unobstructed ventilation to the infant for
reducing the risk of the infant becoming over heated.
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) as compared to infants who sleep on
their stomachs.
[0003] Knowing this and in an effort to help reduce the risk to
infants, Applicant has invented a number of devices as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,473,923; 5,341,531; D448,227; D446,675; D408,676;
D385,143; D369,934; D369,054; and pending U.S. Patent Application,
Publication Number 2006-0168733. Other devices have also been
invented as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,176 entitled "Infant
Support System"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,790 entitled "Selectively
Arrangeable Cushion Assembly"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,008 entitled
"Infant Reflux Restraint Apparatus"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,150
entitled "Elevated Mattress."
[0004] Although these and other similar devices are used to
decrease the incidence of SIDS based on the sleeping position of
infants, the art in this field continues to expand and grow with
new inventive devices toward improving sleep positioning devices
and the common goal of providing for the health and safety of
infants. Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed
Applicant's new infant wedge sleep positioner.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is an infant wedge sleep positioner
comprising a cushion, a covering means for the cushion, one
supporting pillow that is fixedly secured to the covering means,
and another opposed supporting pillow that is releaseably secured
to the covering means for laterally moving this pillow in relation
to the other pillow. This combination creates a cradle for
positioning an infant within the device and accommodating a growing
infant or different sized infants. In an alternate embodiment, the
infant wedge sleep positioner further provides ventilating channels
in one or both of the supporting pillows for regulating the
temperature of the infant while the infant rests or sleeps,
thereby, further reducing the risk of the infant becoming
overheated.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better
understood with reference to the following figures:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of Applicant's unique
infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating a
cutaway of the first and second sections of the cushion and the
releasability of the first body pillow.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1, of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of Applicant's infant wedge
sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating the first body
pillow and second body pillows in relation to the cushion.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular,
illustrating ventilating channels in the exterior of each of the
first body pillow and second body pillow.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the alternate
embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in
particular, illustrating ventilating channels in the exterior ends
of each of the first body pillow and second body pillow.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the alterrnate
embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in
particular, illustrating one means for connecting adjacent
ventilation channels.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the alterrnate
embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in
particular, illustrating a second means for connecting adjacent
ventilation channels.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of another alternate
embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in
particular, illustrating the releasability of each of the first
body pillow and second body pillow in relation to one another and
the cushion.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an infant
wedge sleep positioner 10. The infant wedge sleep positioner 10
comprises a cushion 16, a cover 17, a first body pillow 12, and a
second body pillow 14.
[0016] The cushion 16 has a top surface 18, a back surface 19,
sides 20 and 22, and a bottom surface 24. In the preferred
embodiment, the cushion 16 is in the shape of a wedge having a
width 26, a length 28, and an acute angle 30 formed by the
separation from the top surface 18 to the bottom surface 24
beginning at a proximal end 32 of the cushion 16 and continuing to
a distal end 34 of the cushion 16.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the cushion 16 is separated
into or created from a first section 36 and a second section 38.
The first section 36 and the second section 38 are each shaped into
substantially identical wedge shapes with the first section 36
forming the top half of the cushion 16 and the second section 38
forming the bottom half of the cushion 16. In this manner, the
first section 36 is positioned above and vertically aligned with
the second section 38 such that the cushion 16 provides a
substantially triangular cross-sectional shape.
[0018] Alternatively, the first section 36 and the second section
38 may be larger or smaller than one another and/or formed into the
same or different various types of shapes for creating the cushion
16. In one non-limiting alternative, the first section 36 may form
the entire top surface 18, part of the back surface 19, and part of
the sides 20 and 22 of the cushion 16. The second section 38 may
then form the entire bottom surface 24 of the cushion 16, the
remaining part of the back surface 19 not forming part of the first
section 36 that is either larger or smaller than the first section
36, and the remaining part of the sides 20 and 22 not forming part
of the first section 36 that is either larger or smaller than the
first section 36.
[0019] In another non-limiting example, additional sections of any
varying sizes, shapes, or materials may be used in combination with
any varying sizes, shapes, or materials of the first section 36 and
second section 38 for creating the cushion 16. Many other
non-limiting alternatives may further be used to accomplish the
intended invention as known by one skilled in the art.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the first section 36 and the
second section 38 are each independent, unsecured sections that
engage one another in a vertical orientation to form the unified
cushion 16. Alternatively, the first section 36 may be secured to
the second section 38 using hook and loop fasteners such as
Velcro.RTM., adhesive, bonding, molding, or any other means known
to one skilled in the art.
[0021] The first section 36 is preferably made of a material that
provides a memory foam for providing comfort to the infant
including but not limited to polyurethane foam, visco-elastic foam,
or any other type of foam providing this memory quality that is
known to one skilled in the art. The second section 38 is
preferably made of a material that provides a firm elasticity type
foam for providing support for the cushion 16 including but not
limited to polyurethane or any other type of foam providing this
firm supporting quality that is known to one skilled in the art.
Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first section 36 and the
second section 38 may be made of the same or substantially the same
material.
[0022] The cushion 16 is contained within a cover 17. The cover 17
is preferably made of a flannel or terry cloth type material.
Alternatively, any other type of material known to one skilled in
the art may be used to cover the cushion 16 provided that the
material can be used in the manner described herein and does not
interfere with the use of the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 for
the infant 42 or cause the infant 42 to have an adverse reaction
due to allergies or other ailments.
[0023] The cover 17 is provided with an opening means (not
illustrated) to permit the cushion 16 to be inserted into and/or
removed from the cover 17. In the preferred embodiment, the opening
means is situated at the distal end 34 of the cushion 16. The
opening means is preferably accomplished using an overlap of
material in the cover 17 having hook and loop fasteners such as
Velcro.RTM. that can be separated to create an opening to receive
the cushion 16 and releaseably secured to retain the cushion 16
within the cover 17. Alternatively, any other means such as a
zipper, buttons, snaps, any type of seal, or any other means known
to one skilled in the art may be used as the opening means provided
that it accomplishes the intended purposes as described herein. In
this manner, upon removal of the cushion 16, the cover 17 may be
washed and cleaned for further use with the infant 42. The cushion
16 may likewise be repaired or replaced, if necessary.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 is
positioned adjacent to side 20 of the cushion 16 and the second
body pillow 14 is positioned adjacent to the side 22 of the cushion
16. In this manner, the combination of the first body pillow 12,
the second body pillow 14, and the cushion 16 coact to create a
cradle 40 between them to receive an infant 42. The infant 42 is
illustrated in phantom and does not form a part of the
invention.
[0025] The first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are
positioned directly opposite from one another and aligned in a
parallel relationship relative to the length 28 of the cushion 16.
In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 is releasably
affixed to the cover 17 adjacent to the top surface 18 of the
cushion 16 and the second body pillow 14 is permanently affixed to
the cover 17 adjacent to the top surface 18 of the cushion 16 such
that the first body pillow 12 may move laterally with respect to
the second body pillow 14.
[0026] In order to move laterally with respect to the second body
pillow 14, the first body pillow 12 is affixed to the cushion 16
using a fastening means 54 permanently secured to the bottom side
48 of the first body pillow 12 and to the cover 17 adjacent to the
top surface 18 of the cushion 16. The fastening means 54 is
preferably an elongated hook and loop fastener strip such as
Velcro.RTM.. With respect to the cover 17, the fastening means 54
extends laterally, at one end, from a position adjacent the
proximal end 32 of the cushion 16 and the side 20 toward the second
body pillow 14 with the opposite end of the fastening means 54
ending at a position covering less than half of the width 26 of the
cushion 16. Alternatively, the fastening means 54 between the cover
17 and the first body pillow 12 may be any type of male/female
snaps, hole and button combination, opposed releasable bonding
strips, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.
[0027] In this manner, the first body pillow 12 may be affixed to
the fastening means 54 on the cover 17 and moved laterally anywhere
along the fastening means 54 (i.e, toward or away from the second
body pillow 14). If the infant is very small, the first body pillow
12 may be moved closer to the second body pillow 14 to accommodate
the infant. The first body pillow 12, however, may only be moved as
close to the second body pillow 14 as permitted by the fastening
means 54. As the infant grows or if the infant is larger, the first
body pillow 12 may be moved farther away from the second body
pillow 14 to accommodate the increased size of the infant. The
first body pillow 12, however, should only be moved as far away
from the second body pillow 14 as permitted by the fastening means
54 which is the convex portion of the first body pillow 12 becoming
flush against the proximal end 32 and side 20 of the cushion 16.
Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first body pillow 12
(i.e., the convex portion) may extend a small distance over the
side 20 of the cushion 16 provided that there remains sufficient
portion of the bottom side 48 of the first body pillow 12 to affix
to the cushion 16 and remain effective for positioning and
retaining the infant 42 on their back or side while sleeping.
[0028] The first body pillow 12 and second body pillow 14 are
shaped to receive and position the infant 42 on its 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 44, an exterior side 46, and a bottom side
48 (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 . . .
[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 and
the second body pillow 14 are curved such that the interior sides
44 of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 each
create a pillow having a concave shape facing towards the infant
42. As shown in FIG. 3, the interior sides 44 of the first body
pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are separated by a distance
50 at both of their ends and by a distance 52 at the midpoint
between their ends. In this manner, the first body pillow 12 and
the second body pillow 14 are a mirror image of one another. The
cradle 40 that is formed between these shaped pillows has been
found useful for positioning the infant 42 on its back.
[0030] 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 40 for the infant 42 provided that the resulting
combination is acceptable for holding the infant 42.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first body pillow 12 and the
second body pillow 14 can be shaped for positioning the infant 42
on its side. 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, the first
body pillow 12 would now be shaped and have a contour that is
opposite to the second body pillow 14 for positioning the infant 42
on its other side. The result is that the interior side 44 of the
second body pillow 14 continues to have a concave shape facing
towards the infant 42, as in the original embodiment, with the
interior side 44 of the first body pillow 12 being changed from the
original embodiment to create a convex shape facing towards the
infant 42. The cradle 40 that is formed between this combination of
shaped pillows has been found useful for positioning the infant 42
on its side.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the
second body pillow 14 may be releasably affixed to the cover 17
adjacent to the top surface 18 of the cushion 16 using a fastening
means 54 as well. This fastening means is preferably a hook and
loop fastener such as Velcro.RTM. that is releasably affixed to the
cover 17 and the bottom side 48 of the second body pillow 14.
Alternatively, the fastening means 54 between the cover 17 and the
second body pillow 14 may be any type of male/female snaps, hole
and button combination, opposed releasable bonding strips, or any
other means known to one skilled in the art.
[0033] In this manner, if the first body pillow 12 remains
unchanged from its original embodiment, 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, the second body pillow 14 would be shaped and have
a contour that is opposite to the first body pillow 12 for
positioning the infant 42 on its side. The result is that the
interior side 44 of the first body pillow 12 continues to have a
concave shape facing towards the infant 42, as in the original
embodiment, with the interior side 44 of the second body pillow 14
being changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape
facing towards the infant 42. The cradle 40 that is formed between
this combination of shaped pillows has been found useful for
positioning the infant 42 on its side.
[0034] As both the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow
14 are releasably affixed in this embodiment, if the first body
pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are released from their
original embodiments (see FIG. 1), each rotated through one hundred
and eighty degrees (180.degree.), and reaffixed, the first body
pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 would be shaped and have a
contour that remains the same with respect to one another for
positioning the infant 42 on its other side. The result is that the
interior side 44 of the first body pillow 12 is changed from the
original embodiment to create a convex shape facing towards the
infant 42 and the interior side 44 of the second body pillow 14 is
changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape
facing towards the infant 42. The cradle 40 that is formed between
this combination of shaped pillows has been found useful for
positioning the infant 42 on its other side.
[0035] In another alternate embodiment, any one or all of the first
body pillow 12, second body pillow 14, or cushion 16 may be
imbedded with a heartbeat component.
[0036] In yet another alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.
4, each of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14
are provided with ventilating channels 56. The ventilating channels
56 extend from the interior side 44 to the exterior side 46 of each
pillow. In the preferred embodiment, the air surrounding the infant
wedge sleep positioner 10 has direct access, through each of the
ventilating channels 56, to the infant 42 being held within the
infant wedge sleep positioner 10. Likewise, the air surrounding the
infant 42 within the cradle 40 and the temperature or heat
emanating from the infant 42 which is trapped between the infant 42
and the cushion 16 and the first body pillow 12 and the second body
pillow 14 has direct access, through each of the ventilating
channels 56, to the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep
positioner 10. As a result and discussed in more detail below, the
ventilating channels 56 enable the transfer of air to and from the
infant 42 for regulating the temperature of the infant 42.
[0037] The ventilating channels 56 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 56. One is placed adjacent the upper region of the infant
42; one is placed adjacent the middle region of the infant 42; and
one is placed adjacent the lower region of the infant 42. This
combination of ventilating channels 56 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 42.
[0038] 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 56 provided that the ventilating channels
56 used are sufficient to achieve the necessary ventilation for
regulating the temperature of the infant 42 and reducing the risk
of the infant becoming over heated. Additionally, it is further
contemplated that the location of the ventilating channels 56 and
the number of ventilating channels 56 within the first body pillow
12 may be different than both the location and number of
ventilating channels 56 within the second body pillow 14. These
variations depend, in part, upon the vitals of the infant 42. For
example, if an infant 42 is medically overweight, the infant's body
may tend to generate more heat which, if not adequately ventilated
through the ventilating channels 56, could increase the temperature
of the infant 42 to unacceptable levels.
[0039] The ventilating channels 56, as illustrated in FIG. 6,
preferably extend in a straight line through each pillow from the
interior side 44 to the exterior side 46. The straight line of the
ventilating channels 56 remain parallel to the cushion 16 and
provide a constant diameter. Alternatively, the ventilating
channels 56 may extend through the pillows in any curved, bent, or
other form and at any varying angles or diameter in relation to the
cushion 16 or infant 42; provided that, the ventilating channels 56
accommodate the necessary ventilation to and from the infant 42 and
the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner
10.
[0040] In a non-limiting example, the ventilating channels 56 are
circular in shape and maintain a constant diameter. Alternatively,
it is contemplated that the ventilating channels 56 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 56 are of sufficient size,
either individually or in combination, to accommodate the necessary
ventilation to and from the infant 42 and the outside air
surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10.
[0041] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a ventilating
channel 58 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 58 may be
the only ventilating channel in the infant wedge sleep positioner
10 or used in combination with any number of or various forms of
the ventilating channels 56 as disclosed herein.
[0042] In this embodiment, the ventilating channel 58 extends from
the interior side 44 to the exterior side 46 of the ends or sides
of each pillow. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ventilating channel
58 may be connected directly to an adjacent ventilating channel 56
and share a portion of the same channel extending from the interior
side 44 of the infant wedge sleep positioner 10. Alternatively, as
illustrated in FIG. 6, the ventilating channel 58 may be connected
directly to the interior side 44 of the infant wedge sleep
positioner 10 and sharing only the interior side 44 of the infant
wedge sleep positioner 10 with an adjacent ventilating channel 56.
It is further contemplated that the ventilating channel 58 may be
completely separate or independent from an adjacent ventilating
channel 56.
[0043] It is further contemplated that the ventilating channel 58
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 58 is of sufficient
size, either individually or in combination with the ventilating
channels 56 or other ventilating channels 58, to accommodate the
necessary ventilation to and from the infant 42 and the outside air
surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10.
[0044] The ventilating channels 56 and/or ventilating channels 58
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 42 or obstruct the flow
of air to and from the infant 42.
[0045] In use, the ventilating channels 56 and/or ventilating
channels 58 provide an unobstructed flow of air through the first
body pillow 12, the second body pillow 14, or both to and from the
infant 42. If the temperature of the infant 42 within the cradle 40
begins to increase to a level that becomes dangerous to the infant
or greater than the temperature of the outside air surrounding the
infant wedge sleep positioner 10, this excess heat or temperature
will be forced to flow along path A (see FIG. 6) from the infant
42, through the ventilating channels 56 or 58, and exit out the
infant wedge sleep positioner 10. As this excess heat or
temperature is transferred from the infant 42 and the cradle 40,
the temperature of the infant 42 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 42 and the cradle 40,
the temperature of the infant 42 should remain constant or at an
acceptable level in this temperature range. As a result, the infant
wedge sleep positioner 10 utilizes the ventilating channels 56
and/or ventilating channels 58 for transferring the unnecessary
heat in a direction away from the infant 42 thereby reducing the
risk of overheating in infants and sudden infant death
syndrome.
[0046] Thus, there has been provided a unique infant wedge sleep
positioner for positioning an infant on their back or side while
sleeping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. Additionally,
the infant wedge sleep positioner may be provided with unobstructed
ventilation to the infant for reducing the risk of the infant
becoming over heated further 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. Accordingly, it in
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
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