U.S. patent application number 12/127572 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for portable baby sleep system.
Invention is credited to LAURIE LESLIE GROVES.
Application Number | 20080216246 12/127572 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39714266 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GROVES; LAURIE LESLIE |
September 11, 2008 |
PORTABLE BABY SLEEP SYSTEM
Abstract
A portable baby sleep system for providing a baby bed and
accessories which are transportable. There is: a base member; a
wall member, foldably coupled to the base member; a flexible
mattress member, foldably coupled to the base member opposite the
wall member, and removably coupleable to the wall member; a first
handle member, coupled to the wall member opposite the base member;
a second handle member, coupled to the flexible mattress member
opposite the base member; a speaker module, coupled to the flexible
mattress member; a power module, in communication with the speaker
module; a control module, in communication with the speaker module,
in communication the power module; and an air bladder module,
coupled to the flexible mattress member, in communication with the
power module. The portable baby sleep system has a transportation
mode and a sleep mode.
Inventors: |
GROVES; LAURIE LESLIE;
(Watsonville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADVANTIA LAW GROUP
9035 SOUTH 1300 EAST, SUITE 200
SANDY
UT
84094
US
|
Family ID: |
39714266 |
Appl. No.: |
12/127572 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11679680 |
Feb 27, 2007 |
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12127572 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/694 ; 5/655;
5/713 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 5/006 20130101;
A47D 15/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/694 ; 5/655;
5/713 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02; A47D 15/00 20060101 A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. A portable baby sleep system for providing a baby bed and
accessories which are transportable, comprising: a) a base member;
b) a wall member, foldably coupled to the base member; wherein a
length of the wall member is substantially equal to a length of the
base member; and wherein a width of the wall member is greater than
a width of the base member; c) a flexible mattress member, foldably
coupled to the base member opposite the wall member, and removably
coupleable to the wall member; wherein a length of the flexible
mattress member is greater than the length of the wall member;
wherein a width of the flexible mattress member is substantially
equal to the width of the wall member; wherein, in a transportation
mode, the base member is disposed horizontally, and the wall member
and the flexible mattress member are disposed vertically; and
wherein, in a sleeping mode, the base member, the wall member, and
the flexible mattress member are disposed horizontally; d) a first
handle member, coupled to the wall member opposite the base member;
e) a second handle member, coupled to the flexible mattress member
opposite the base member; f) a speaker module, coupled to the
flexible mattress member, and configured to provide sound; g) a
power module, in communication with the speaker module, and
configured to provide energy to the speaker module; and h) a
control module, in communication with the speaker module, in
communication with the power module, and configured to control the
provision of sound by the speaker module.
2. The portable baby sleep system of claim 1, further comprising:
a) an air bladder module, coupled to the flexible mattress member,
in communication with the power module, and configured to provide
lifting and falling.
3. The portable baby sleep system of claim 2, wherein the flexible
mattress member comprises: a) a left attachment portion, coupled to
a left side of the flexible mattress member; and b) a right
attachment portion, coupled to a right side of the flexible
mattress member opposite the left attachment portion; wherein in
the transportation mode the left attachment portion is removably
coupled to a left side of the wall member and the right attachment
portion is removably coupled to a right side of the wall
member.
4. The portable baby sleep system of claim 3, further comprising:
a) a left base flap, coupled to a left side of the base member
adjacent the wall member and adjacent the flexible mattress member;
and b) a right base flap, coupled to a right side of the base
member adjacent the wall member and adjacent the flexible mattress
member; wherein in the transportation mode the left base flap is
removably coupled to the left attachment portion and the right base
flap is removably coupled to the right attachment portion.
5. The portable baby sleep system of claim 4, further comprising:
a) a restraining pad, coupled to the flexible mattress member,
configured to restrain rolling and turning.
6. The portable baby sleep system of claim 5, further comprising:
a) a storage container, coupled to the wall member, configured to
store baby accessories, and having a top cover portion removably
coupled to a top of the wall member and removably coupleable to a
top of the flexible mattress member; wherein in a transportation
mode the flexible mattress member envelops the storage
container.
7. A portable baby sleep system for providing a baby bed and
accessories which are transportable, comprising: a) a base member;
b) a wall member, foldably coupled to the base member; wherein a
length of the wall member is substantially equal to a length of the
base member; and wherein a width of the wall member is greater than
a width of the base member; c) a flexible mattress member, foldably
coupled to the base member opposite the wall member, and removably
coupleable to the wall member; wherein a length of the flexible
mattress member is greater than the length of the wall member;
wherein a width of the flexible mattress member is substantially
equal to the width of the wall member; and including: c1) a left
attachment portion, coupled to a left side of the flexible mattress
member; and c2) a right attachment portion, coupled to a right side
of the flexible mattress member opposite the left attachment
portion; wherein in a transportation mode the left attachment
portion is removably coupled to a left side of the wall member and
the right attachment portion is removably coupled to a right side
of the wall member; d) a first handle member, coupled to the wall
member opposite the base member; and e) a second handle member,
coupled to the flexible mattress member opposite the base
member.
8. The portable baby sleep system of claim 7, further comprising:
a) a speaker module, coupled to the flexible mattress member, and
configured to provide sound; b) a power module, in communication
with the speaker module, and configured to provide energy to the
speaker module; and c) a control module, in communication with the
speaker module, in communication with the power module, and
configured to control the provision of sound by the speaker
module.
9. The portable baby sleep system of claim 8, further comprising:
a) an air bladder module, coupled to the flexible mattress member,
in communication with the power module, and configured to provide
lifting and falling.
10. The portable baby sleep system of claim 9, further comprising:
a) a left base flap, coupled to a left side of the base member
adjacent the wall member and adjacent the flexible mattress member;
and b) a right base flap, coupled to a right side of the base
member adjacent the wall member and adjacent the flexible mattress
member; wherein in the transportation mode the left base flap is
removably coupled to the left attachment portion and the right base
flap is removably coupled to the right attachment portion.
11. The portable baby sleep system of claim 10, further comprising:
a) a restraining pad, coupled to the flexible mattress member,
configured to restrain rolling and turning.
12. The portable baby sleep system of claim 11, further comprising:
a) a storage container, coupled to the wall member, configured to
store baby accessories, and having a top cover portion removably
coupled to a top of the wall member and removably coupleable to a
top of the flexible mattress member; wherein in a transportation
mode the flexible mattress member envelops the storage container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/679,680 by Laurie Leslie Groves, which application is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to portable baby sleep
systems, specifically to baby beds and accessories which are
transportable.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, babies need about 16 to 18 hours of sleep a day.
Adequate sleep is important for babies because sleep typically
affects mood, behavior, cognitive functioning, and other
development. However, babies often experience difficulty in
sleeping.
[0006] One cause of this difficulty is that baby beds and bedding
generally do not provide the feelings of comfort and reassurance
that contact and cuddling with a mother provides. For example,
babies are often comforted and reassured by recognition of a
mother's heartbeat and breathing patterns. In addition, babies are
often comforted and reassured by a mother's rocking of the baby in
her arms.
[0007] Accordingly, blankets and other bedding are often equipped
with devices which simulate a heartbeat and other sleep inducing
effects for babies. Some improvements have been made in the field.
Examples include but are not limited to the references described
below, which references are incorporated by reference herein:
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,997, issued to Skakas, discloses a
therapeutic infant bed intended for hospital use in the treatment
and prevention of infant apnea. The bed comprises a hammock-forming
sheet of material having one surface thereof covered with a soft
tactile material. The hammock-forming sheet of material includes
means for attaching a sonic device for generating audible sounds
and a mechanical vibrational impulses simulating a human heartbeat
thereto and for causing the audible sounds and mechanical
vibrational impulses to be transmitted through the sheet and the
support structure to an infant disposed in the bed. A support
structure is provided which has raised, spaced end member defining
an open space therebetween. The hammock-forming sheet of material
is horizontally suspended between the end members with the one
surface facing up between the end members, within the open space,
and above a surface upon which the support structure is sitting to
form a hammock having spaced head and foot ends and spaced sides
between which an infant can be placed. Rocking means are operably
attached to the support structure for supporting the support
structure on a planar surface and for slowly and gently rocking the
support structure primarily only in a horizontal plane. In the
preferred embodiment, the rocking means comprises a plurality of
spring suspension members self activated by the infant's movements
and disposed under the support structure.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,811, issued to Formarelli, discloses the
infant blanket is of the comforter type and includes therein a foam
form having cavity therein within which a heartbeat simulator
rests. The simulator is preferably pressure activated and access to
same is provided by means of a zipper strategically placed in one
surface of the blanket.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,910, issued to Steele et al., discloses
a portably apparatus for soothing infants to enable them to fall
asleep utilizes a portable housing having a cylindrically-shaped
intake and exhaust opening coupled by a hollow cylindrical tube
into which is located a miniature motor disposed proximate the
intake opening with fan blades affixed on the rotating motor shaft
that provides an air flow over a plurality of flexible members
disposed proximate the exhaust opening. A control arrangement,
coupled to a battery power source, is disposed within the housing
for controlling the amount of forced air flowing out of the exhaust
opening so that the tone or the sounds meaning from the apparatus
can be controlled.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,642, issued to Clute, discloses an
infant support pillow with a vibration inducer such as an audio
emitter including two pad members defining a channel sized for
supporting an infant generally on its side while sleeping. One of
the pad members is structured for removably housing a electrically
powered audio emitter. The audio emitter is structured for emitting
a generated sound preferably similar to those sounds experienced by
the infant when in the womb, and thereby promoting sleep.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,072, issued to Cummins, discloses a
comfort cushion for infants comprising in combination a fluid
filled flexible elastic hermetically sealed infant supporting
mattress; a pulsating fluid pump means having mattress inlet and
>outlet fluid conducting conduits communicating between the pump
means and the mattress for circulating a substantially
non-compressible fluid through the mattress; and an infant heart
beat and breathing alarm means having sensor means embedded in a
mattress infant supporting surface for actuating an alarm means
external to the mattress if an infant supported on the mattress
were to stop breathing or its heart were to stop beating or if
either breathing or heart beat were to change such as to indicate
peril to the infant. The mattress inlet conduit has a pressure
activated valve within the mattress which opens at a pre-selected
pressure to simulate sounds and fluid movement conditions a
pre-born infant experiences.
[0013] The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of
disadvantages, which include: not being adaptable; not being easily
contained; being difficult to use; having inadequate simulation;
being expensive; and/or not being transportable.
[0014] What is needed is a portable baby sleep system that solves
one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more
problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art
upon becoming familiar with this specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available baby sleep systems. Accordingly, the present
invention has been developed to provide a portable baby sleep
system.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, there may be a portable
baby sleep system for providing a baby bed and/or accessories which
may be transportable, including: a base member; and/or a wall
member, foldably coupled to the base member; wherein a length of
the wall member may be substantially equal to a length of the base
member; and/or wherein a width of the wall member may be greater
than a width of the base member. The portable baby sleep system
also includes: a flexible mattress member, foldably coupled to the
base member opposite the wall member, and/or removably coupleable
to the wall member; wherein a length of the flexible mattress
member may be greater than the length of the wall member; wherein a
width of the flexible mattress member may be substantially equal to
the width of the wall member. Wherein, in a transportation mode,
the base member may be disposed horizontally, and/or the wall
member and/or the flexible mattress member may be disposed
vertically; and/or wherein, in a sleeping mode, the base member,
the wall member, and/or the flexible mattress member may be
disposed horizontally.
[0017] In addition, the portable baby sleep system includes: a
first handle member, coupled to the wall member opposite the base
member; a second handle member, coupled to the flexible mattress
member opposite the base member; a speaker module, coupled to the
flexible mattress member, and/or configured to provide sound; a
power module, in communication with the speaker module, and/or
configured to provide energy to the speaker module; and/or a
control module, in communication with the speaker module, in
communication with the power module, and/or configured to control
the provision of sound by the speaker module. In another embodiment
of the invention, the portable baby sleep system includes an air
bladder module, coupled to the flexible mattress member, in
communication with the power module, and/or configured to provide
lifting and/or falling. In still another embodiment of the
invention, the flexible mattress member includes: a left attachment
portion, which may be coupled to a left side of the flexible
mattress member; and/or a right attachment portion, which may be
coupled to a right side of the flexible mattress member opposite
the left attachment portion; wherein in the transportation mode the
left attachment portion may be removably coupled to a left side of
the wall member and/or the right attachment portion may be
removably coupled to a right side of the wall member.
[0018] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the portable
baby sleep system includes: a left base flap, coupled to a left
side of the base member adjacent the wall member and/or adjacent
the flexible mattress member; and/or a right base flap, coupled to
a right side of the base member adjacent the wall member and/or
adjacent the flexible mattress member; wherein in the
transportation mode the left base flap may be removably coupled to
the left attachment portion and the right base flap may be
removably coupled to the right attachment portion. In still yet
another embodiment of the invention, the portable baby sleep system
includes a restraining pad, coupled to the flexible mattress
member, configured to restrain rolling and turning. In even another
embodiment of the invention, the portable baby sleep system
includes a storage container, coupled to the wall member,
configured to store baby accessories, and/or having a top cover
portion removably coupled to a top of the wall member and/or
removably coupleable to a top of the flexible mattress member.
Wherein, in a transportation mode the flexible mattress member may
envelop the storage container.
[0019] In even still another embodiment of the invention, there is
a portable baby sleep system for providing a baby bed and/or
accessories which may be transportable, comprising: a base member;
a wall member, foldably coupled to the base member; wherein a
length of the wall member may be substantially equal to a length of
the base member; and/or wherein a width of the wall member may be
greater than a width of the base member; a flexible mattress
member, foldably coupled to the base member opposite the wall
member, and/or removably coupleable to the wall member; wherein a
length of the flexible mattress member may be greater than the
length of the wall member; wherein a width of the flexible mattress
member is substantially equal to the width of the wall member. The
flexible mattress member includes: a left attachment portion, which
may be coupled to a left side of the flexible mattress member;
and/or a right attachment portion, which may be coupled to a right
side of the flexible mattress member opposite the left attachment
portion. Wherein in a transportation mode the left attachment
portion may be removably coupled to a left side of the wall member
and/or the right attachment portion may be removably coupled to a
right side of the wall member.
[0020] Further, the portable baby sleep system includes: a first
handle member, coupled to the wall member opposite the base member;
and/or a second handle member, coupled to the flexible mattress
member opposite the base member. In an additional embodiment of the
invention, the portable baby sleep system includes: a speaker
module, coupled to the flexible mattress member, and/or configured
to provide sound; a power module, in communication with the speaker
module, and/or configured to provide energy to the speaker module;
and/or a control module, in communication with the speaker module,
in communication with the power module, and/or configured to
control the provision of sound by the speaker module. In still an
additional embodiment of the invention, the portable baby sleep
system includes an air bladder module, coupled to the flexible
mattress member, in communication with the power module, and/or
configured to provide lifting and falling.
[0021] Reference throughout this specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0022] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0023] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily
understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly
described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s).
Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawing(s), in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portable baby sleep system in
a sleeping mode, according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a portable baby sleep
system in a transportation mode, according to one embodiment of the
invention; and
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portable baby sleep system,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific
language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be
understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is
thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the
inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional
applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated
herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and
having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within
the scope of the invention.
[0029] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "one
embodiment," "an embodiment," and similar language throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment, different embodiments, or component parts of the same
or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the
wording "an embodiment," or the like, for two or more features,
elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related,
dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term "an embodiment," or
similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional
features, which may or may not be part of the invention as
claimed.
[0030] Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered
independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use
of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment.
Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as "another
embodiment," the identified embodiment is independent of any other
embodiments characterized by the language "another embodiment." The
independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in
whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may
direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or
explicitly.
[0031] Finally, the fact that the wording "an embodiment," or the
like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the
specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is
merely a convenience for the reader's clarity. However, it is the
intention of this application to incorporate by reference the
phrasing "an embodiment," and the like, at the beginning of every
sentence herein where logically possible and appropriate.
[0032] Many of the functional units described in this specification
have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly
emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module
may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI
circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic
chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also
be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field
programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable
logic devices or the like.
[0033] Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by
various types of processors. An identified module of executable
code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical
blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be
organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the
executables of an identified module need not be physically located
together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in
different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise
the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.
[0034] Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single
instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over
several different code segments, among different programs, and
across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be
identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be
embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable
type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a
single data set, or may be distributed over different locations
including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least
partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.
[0035] As used herein, "comprising," "including," "containing,"
"is, are," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents thereof
are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional
unrecited elements or method steps. "Comprising" is to be
interpreted as including the more restrictive terms "consisting of"
and "consisting essentially of."
[0036] As illustrated by the figures, there is a portable baby
sleep system 100, in a sleeping mode 101, according to one
embodiment of the invention. As shown, the portable baby sleep
system 100 has a base member 102, a wall member 104, and a flexible
mattress member 106. The wall member 104 is foldably coupled to the
base member 102 so that the wall member 104 may be disposed
parallel or orthogonal to the base member 102. Also, the figures
illustrate a length of the wall member 108 substantially equal to a
length of the base member 110, so that the length of the wall
member 108 is as great as the length of the base member 110, and a
width of the wall member 112 is greater than a width of the base
member 114.
[0037] Further, the figures illustrate the flexible mattress member
106 foldably coupled to the base member 102 opposite the wall
member 104, and removably coupleable to the wall member 104, so
that the flexible mattress member 106 may be disposed parallel or
orthogonal to the base member 102 and the wall member 104. In
addition, the figures illustrate that a length of the flexible
mattress member 116 is greater than the length of the wall member
108, and a width of the flexible mattress member 118 is
substantially equal to the width of the wall member 112 so that the
width of the flexible mattress member 118 is evenly proportioned to
the width of wall member 112. Moreover, in the illustrated sleeping
mode 101, the base member 102, the wall member 104, and the
flexible mattress member 106 are disposed horizontally.
[0038] Additionally illustrated by the figures, there is a first
handle member 120 coupled to the wall member 102 opposite the base
member 102, and a second handle member 122, coupled to the flexible
mattress member 106 opposite the base member 102. In addition, the
figures illustrate a left attachment portion 128 coupled to a left
side of the flexible mattress member 130, and a right attachment
portion 132 coupled to a right side the flexible mattress member
134 opposite the left attachment portion 128. Further, there is
illustrated a left base flap 136 coupled to a left side of the base
member 138, and a right base flap 140 coupled to a right side of
the base member 142. Moreover, the figures illustrate a restraining
pad 144 coupled to the flexible mattress member 106. In one
embodiment of the invention, the restraining pad 144 is configured
to restrain rolling and turning. For example, the restraining pad
144 may be a triangular-shaped foam pad. There is also a storage
container 146 coupled to the wall member 104.
[0039] Furthermore, illustrated by the figures, there is a portable
baby sleep system 100 in a transportation mode 201. As shown, the
portable baby sleep system 100 has a top cover portion 200
removably coupled to a top of the wall member 202, and removably
coupleable to a top of the flexible mattress member 204. Also, in
the illustrated transportation mode 201, the base member 102 is
disposed horizontally, and the wall member 104 and the flexible
mattress member 106 are disposed vertically so that the flexible
mattress member 106 envelops the storage compartment 146. Further,
the left attachment portion 128 is removably coupled to a left side
of the wall member 148, and the right attachment portion 132 is
removably coupled to a right side of the wall member 150. More, the
left base flap 136 is removably coupled to the left attachment
portion 128, and the right base flap 140 is removably coupled to
the right attachment portion 132.
[0040] Additionally shown by the illustrated figures, the flexible
mattress member 106 has a speaker module 124 and an air bladder
module 126. There is also a power module 300 in communication with
the speaker module 124 and the air bladder module, and a control
module 302 in communication with the speaker module 124 and the
power module 300. In one embodiment of the invention, the speaker
module 124 is configured to provide sound, such as the sound of a
heartbeat. For example, the speaker module 124 may be such as the
electrically powered audio emitter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,642,
issued to Clute, which is incorporated by reference herein.
[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the power module is
configured to provide energy to the speaker module 124. For
example, the power module 300 may be a battery. In still another
embodiment of the invention, the control module 302 is configured
to control the provision of sound by the speaker module. For
example, the control module may be an On/Off switch. In yet another
embodiment of the invention, the air bladder module 126 is
configured to provide lifting and falling, similar to the rising
and falling of a chest during breathing. For example, the air
bladder module 126 may be as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,876,303,
issued to Reeder et al., which is incorporated by reference herein.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the portable baby sleep
system 100 may be such as the portable baby sleep system of U.S.
Design Pat. Application No. 29275134, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, by
Laurie Leslie Groves, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
[0042] In operation of one embodiment of a sleeping mode 101 of the
invention, a user opens the portable baby sleep system 100 so that
the base member 102, the wall member 104, and the flexible mattress
member 106 are disposed horizontally. The user then places a
sleeping baby on the flexible mattress member 106. Next, the user
turns on the speaker module 124 and the air bladder module 126. The
speaker module 124 and the air bladder module 126 soothe the baby
by mimicking a heartbeat sounds and breathing motions of the baby's
mother. When the baby rolls and/or turns, the restraining pad 144
restrain the baby. After the baby wakes up, the user removes the
baby from the flexible mattress member 106 and folds up and secures
the portable baby sleep system 100 for transportation.
[0043] Also, in operation of one embodiment of a transportation
mode 201 of the invention, folds up and secures the portable baby
sleep system 100 for transportation. First, the user vertically
folds a wall member 104 and a flexible mattress member 106,
foldably coupled to a base member 102, so that the base member 102
is disposed horizontally and the wall member 104 and the flexible
mattress member 106 are disposed vertically. Next, the user
removably couples a left attachment portion 128 of the flexible
mattress member 106 to a left side of the wall member 148 and a
right attachment portion 132 of the flexible mattress member 106 to
a right side of the wall member 150. Then, the user removably
couples a left base flap 136 to the left attachment portion 128 and
a right base flap 140 to the right attachment portion 132. After
the user couples the base flaps 136 and 140, the user covers the
portable baby sleep system 100 with a top cover portion 200. The
user then carries the portable baby sleep system 100 by holding a
first handle member 120 and a second handle member 122.
[0044] It is understood that the above-described embodiments are
only illustrative of the application of the principles of the
present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
[0045] For example, the storage container 146 may be any container
appreciated in the art configured to store baby accessories, such
as, but not limited to: a compartment; a box; a pocket; and a
pouch. Similarly, the control module 302 may be any control module
appreciated in the art configured to control the provision of sound
by the speaker module 124. For example, the control module 302 may
include: a compact disc player; a portable media playing device; a
cassette player; a mini disc player; an On/Off switch; and/or a
dial, such as a volume control dial. Accordingly, the speaker
module 124 may provide rhythmic sounds, such as the sound of a
heartbeat, and/or music.
[0046] Additionally, although the figures illustrate the left base
flap 136 and the right base flap 140 removably coupled to the left
attachment portion 128 and the right attachment portion 132 of the
flexible mattress member 106, the left base flap 136 and the right
base flap 140 may be removably coupled to the wall member 104. It
is also envisioned that the base member 102, the wall member 104,
the flexible mattress member 106, and the top cover portion 200 may
be removably be removably coupled by any removably coupling
mechanism appreciated in the art. For example, the base member 102,
the wall member, the flexible mattress member, and the top cover
portion 200 may be removably coupled by: hook and loop; adhesion;
magnetic attraction; tying; hooking; snapping; buttoning; and/or
sliding and locking.
[0047] It is expected that there may be numerous variations of the
design of this invention. For example, the transportation mode 201
of the portable baby sleep system 100 may be any shape appreciated
in the art, such as, but not limited to: rectangular and tubular.
Also, in one embodiment of the invention, the design of the
portable baby sleep system 100 may be such as the portable baby
sleep system of U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29275134, filed on
Dec. 14, 2006, by Laurie Leslie Groves, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
[0048] Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the
portable baby sleep system 100 may be constructed of a variety of
materials. For example, the portable baby sleep system may be
constructed of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic;
textiles; metal; and/or rubber.
[0049] Thus, while the present invention has been fully described
above with particularity and detail in connection with what is
presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment
of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to,
variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the
principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the
claims.
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