U.S. patent application number 12/618237 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for crib bumper having a bottom securing panel and securing straps.
Invention is credited to Kimberlee J. Miller.
Application Number | 20110113552 12/618237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44010192 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110113552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Kimberlee J. |
May 19, 2011 |
CRIB BUMPER HAVING A BOTTOM SECURING PANEL AND SECURING STRAPS
Abstract
A crib bumper (1) having a bottom securing panel (14) that rests
under a crib mattress (3) and fully separates the crib mattress
from a crib (2), thereby securing the bottom of the crib bumper in
place. A perimeter wall (19) of the crib bumper extends upward from
the bottom securing panel between the mattress and the crib slats
(10) and up the crib slats a predetermined distance, thereby
preventing any spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress that
a baby could become trapped in. The perimeter wall of the crib
bumper is secured to the slats using securing straps (23, 24) and
hook and loop fasteners. The strap are located on an outer surface
of the perimeter wall, thereby making the securing straps
inaccessible to a baby in the crib. Although the sidewall of the
crib bumper may be made out of a padded cloth material, the sides
are preferably made of a mesh material (28) that will allow airflow
through the sides of the crib bumper into the crib.
Inventors: |
Miller; Kimberlee J.;
(Naples, FL) |
Family ID: |
44010192 |
Appl. No.: |
12/618237 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/424 |
International
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00; A47C 21/00 20060101 A47C021/00; A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00 |
Claims
1. A crib bumper for use in a crib with a mattress having a bottom
surface a top surface and sides, a mattress support, corner posts,
a first side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a second
side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a head board
having a plurality of vertical slats and a foot board having a
plurality of vertical slats, said crib bumper comprising: a bottom
securing panel that fits between the bottom surface of said
mattress and the mattress support; a first side wall that extends
upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the
mattress and the first side board of the crib and above the top
surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a second side
wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the
side of the mattress and the second side board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a
head wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel
between the side of the mattress and the head board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a
foot wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel
between the side of the mattress and the foot board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;
said first side wall, second side wall, head wall and foot wall
creating a perimeter wall having an inner surface, outer surface
and upper edge; and at least one securing means located on the
outer surface of the perimeter wall for securing the perimeter wall
to the vertical slats and corner posts of the crib.
2. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein: said perimeter wall is made
of a mesh material.
3. The crib bumper of claim 2 wherein: the upper edge made of the
perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.
4. The crib bumper of claim 3 wherein: said at least one securing
means is located proximate to the upper edge of the outer surface
of the perimeter wall.
5. The crib bumper of claim 2 wherein: said perimeter wall has a
lower portion made of a cloth-like material located between the
mattress and the slats.
6. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein: said perimeter wall is made
of a cloth-like material.
7. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein: said perimeter wall is made
of a quilted material.
8. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein: said at least one securing
means is at least one securing strap having an attachment means
located thereon.
9. The crib bumper of claim 4 wherein: said at least one securing
means is at least one securing strap having an attachment means
located thereon.
10. A crib bumper for use in a crib with a mattress having a bottom
surface a top surface and sides, a mattress support, corner posts,
a first side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a second
side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a head board
having a plurality of vertical slats and a foot board having a
plurality of vertical slats, said crib bumper comprising: a bottom
securing panel that fits between the bottom surface of said
mattress and the mattress support; a first side wall that extends
upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the
mattress and the first side board of the crib and above the top
surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a second side
wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the
side of the mattress and the second side board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a
head wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel
between the side of the mattress and the head board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a
foot wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel
between the side of the mattress and the foot board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;
said first side wall, second side wall, head wall and foot wall
creating a perimeter wall having an inner surface, outer surface
and upper edge; and at least one securing means located on the
outer surface of the perimeter wall for securing the perimeter wall
to the vertical slats and corner posts of the crib, wherein said at
least one securing means is at least one securing strap having an
attachment means located thereon.
11. The crib bumper of claim 10 wherein: said perimeter wall is
made of a mesh material.
12. The crib bumper of claim 11 wherein: the upper edge made of the
perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.
13. The crib bumper of claim 12 wherein: said at least one securing
means is located proximate to the upper edge of the outer surface
of the perimeter wall.
14. The crib bumper of claim 11 wherein: said perimeter wall has a
lower portion made of a cloth-like material located between the
mattress and the slats.
15. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein: said perimeter wall is made
of a cloth-like material.
16. The crib bumper of claim 1 wherein: said perimeter wall is made
of a quilted material.
17. A crib bumper for use in a crib with a mattress having a bottom
surface a top surface and sides, a mattress support, corner posts,
a first side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a second
side board having a plurality of vertical slats, a head board
having a plurality of vertical slats and a foot board having a
plurality of vertical slats, said crib bumper comprising: a bottom
securing panel that fits between the bottom surface of said
mattress and the mattress support; a first side wall that extends
upward from the bottom securing panel between the side of the
mattress and the first side board of the crib and above the top
surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a second side
wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel between the
side of the mattress and the second side board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a
head wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel
between the side of the mattress and the head board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance; a
foot wall that extends upward from the bottom securing panel
between the side of the mattress and the foot board of the crib and
above the top surface of the mattress a predetermined distance;
said first side wall, second side wall, head wall and foot wall
creating a perimeter wall made of a mesh material having an inner
surface, outer surface and upper edge; and at least one securing
means located on the outer surface of the perimeter wall for
securing the perimeter wall to the vertical slats and corner posts
of the crib, wherein said at least one securing means is at least
one securing strap having an attachment means attachment means
located thereon.
18. The crib bumper of claim 17 wherein: the upper edge made of the
perimeter wall is made of a cloth-like material.
19. The crib bumper of claim 18 wherein: said at least one securing
means is located proximate to the upper edge of the outer surface
of the perimeter wall.
20. The crib bumper of claim 17 wherein: said perimeter wall has a
lower portion made of a cloth-like material located between the
mattress and the slats.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to crib bumpers, more particularly, a
crib bumper having a bottom securing panel that separates a crib
mattress from the crib, thereby securing the bottom of the crib
bumper to the crib and securing straps for safely securing the
upper portion of the crib bumper to the crib.
[0002] Conventional crib bumpers are normally elongated strips of a
quilted cloth material that are secured around the inner perimeters
of cribs above crib mattress. Crib bumpers are used to pad the
sides of a crib to prevent babies from hurting themselves and to
prevent a baby's arms and/or legs from becoming stuck in-between
the slats of the crib. Unfortunately there are many safety concerns
with current crib bumpers. The main safety concern is the risk of
strangulation if a baby becomes trapped in between the crib bumper
and the crib mattress. Another major safety concern is sudden
infant death syndrome ("SIDS") which occurs when a baby has a
decreased supply of oxygen. Many health professionals believe that
when babies are overheated or lack sufficient oxygen during sleep,
they become unable to arouse themselves enough to prevent hypoxia
and death. This is why it is important that crib bumpers do not
inhibit air circulation. An even further problem with current crib
bumpers is that they are attached to the crib slats using long ties
which can pose a risk of strangulation to babies.
[0003] Therefore, a need exists for a safer crib bumper that
extends underneath the mattress thereby eliminating any spaces
between the crib bumper and the mattress that a baby can become
stuck in, a crib bumper that allows for air flow into the crib, and
a crib bumper that attaches to the slats of the crib with a
securing means that does not pose a health risk to babies.
[0004] The relevant prior art includes the following
references:
TABLE-US-00001 Pat. No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor
Issue/Publication Date 7,523,513 Waters et al. 04-28-2009 7,404,219
Berkey 07-29-2008 2008/00334499 Parish et al. 02-14-2008
2006/0075555 Komisar 04-13-2006 7,003,821 DeHart et al. 02-28-2006
6,957,455 Misson 10-25-2005 6,957,464 Coauette 10-25-2005 6,684,437
Koenig 02-03-2004 6,438,775 Koenig 08-27-2002 6,421,857 Whatman et
al. 07-23-2002 6,178,573 Wagner et al. 01-30-2001 6,055,690 Koenig
05-02-2000 5,937,458 DeRosa 08-17-1999 5,933,885 Glassford
08-10-1999 D365,957 Ferrari 01-09-1996 5,241,718 Pope 09-07-1993
5,010,611 Mallett 04-30-1991 4,670,923 Gabriel et al. 06-09-1987
4,370,765 Webber 02-01-1983 3,619,824 Doyle 11-16-1971 3,137,870
Fink 06-23-1964
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
crib bumper that extends underneath the mattress thereby
eliminating any spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress
that a baby can become stuck in.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a crib
bumper that allows for air flow into the crib.
[0007] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a crib bumper that attaches to the slats of the crib with a
securing means that does not pose a health risk to babies.
[0008] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects
by providing a crib bumper having a bottom securing panel that
rests under a crib mattress and fully separates the crib mattress
from the crib, thereby securing the bottom of the crib bumper in
place. A perimeter wall of the crib bumper extends upward from the
bottom securing panel between the mattress and the crib slats and
up the crib slats a predetermined distance, thereby preventing any
spaces between the crib bumper and the mattress that a baby could
become trapped in. The perimeter wall of the crib bumper is secured
to the slats using securing straps and hook and loop fasteners. The
securing straps are located on an outer surface of the perimeter
wall, thereby making the securing straps inaccessible to a baby in
the crib. Although the sides of the crib bumper may be made out of
a padded cloth material, the sides are preferably made of a mesh
material that will allow airflow through the sides of the crib
bumper into the crib.
[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention should become even more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown
and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the following detailed description, reference will be
made to the attached drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a crib bumper of
the present invention, a crib and a crib mattress;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crib having a crib bumper
of the present invention secured thereto;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front cutaway view of a crib having a crib
bumper of the present invention secured thereto;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of a crib having a crib bumper
of the present invention secured thereto; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a head board and a corner
post of a crib having a crib bumper of the present invention
secured thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the
terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the
drawings is as follows: [0017] 1. crib bumper [0018] 2. crib [0019]
3. mattress [0020] 4. mattress support [0021] 5. corner posts
[0022] 6. first side board [0023] 7. second side board [0024] 8.
headboard [0025] 9. foot board [0026] 10. slat [0027] 11. bottom
surface [0028] 12. top surface [0029] 13. mattress side [0030] 14.
bottom securing panel [0031] 15. first side wall [0032] 16. second
side wall [0033] 17. head wall [0034] 18. foot wall [0035] 19.
perimeter wall [0036] 20. inner surface [0037] 21. outer surface
[0038] 22. securing means [0039] 23. first securing strap [0040]
24. second securing strap [0041] 25. attachment means [0042] 26.
upper edge [0043] 27. lower portion [0044] 28. mesh [0045] 29.
cloth
[0046] With reference to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of a
crib bumper 1 of the present invention, a crib 2 and a crib
mattress 3 are shown. The crib 2 has a mattress support 4, corner
posts 5, a first side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a
second side board 7 having a plurality of slats 10, a head board 8
having a plurality of slats 10 and a foot board 9 having a
plurality of slats 10. The mattress 3 has a top surface 12, a
bottom surface 11, and sides 13. The crib bumper 1 has a bottom
securing panel 14 that fits between the bottom surface 11 of the
mattress 3 and the mattress support 4, thereby completely
separating said mattress 3 and mattress support 4. A first side
wall 15, a second side wall 16, a head wall 17 and a foot wall 18
all extend upward from the bottom securing panel 14, thereby
forming a perimeter wall 19 having an inner surface 20 and outer
surface 21. At least one securing means 22 for securing the
perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or corner posts 5 of
the crib 2 is located on the outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall
19. As shown here, the securing means is a first securing strap 23
and a second securing strap 24 that are placed around a slat 10 or
corner post 5 and attached to each other with an attachment means
25, such as a hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, etc. The
perimeter 19 wall may be made of a cloth 29, quilted material, etc.
or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall
19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion made of mesh 28,
quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add
stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the
securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.
[0047] Now referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a crib 2
having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is
shown. The crib 2 has corner posts 5, a first side board 6 having a
plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7 having a plurality of
slats 10, a head board 8 having a plurality of slats 10 and a foot
board 9 having a plurality of slats 10. The crib bumper 1 has a
bottom securing panel 14 that fits between a bottom surface 11 of a
mattress 3 and the crib 2, thereby completely separating the bottom
surface 11 of the mattress 3 and the crib 2, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4. A first side wall 15 extends upward from the bottom securing
panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the first side
board 6 of the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress
3 a predetermined distance. A second side wall 16 extends upward
from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the
mattress 3 and the second side board 7 of the crib 2 and above the
top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined distance. A head
wall 17 extends upward from the bottom securing panel 14 between
the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the head board 8 of the crib 2
and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined
distance. A foot wall 18 extends upward from the bottom securing
panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the foot board 9
of the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a
predetermined distance. The first side wall 15, second side wall
16, head wall 17 and foot wall 18 form a perimeter wall 19 having
an inner surface 20, and outer surface 21. At least one securing
means 22 securing the perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10
and/or corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is located on the outer surface
21 of the perimeter wall 19. As shown here, the securing means is a
first securing strap 23 and a second securing strap 24 that are
placed around a slat 10 or corner post 5 and attached to each other
with an attachment means 25, such as a hook and loop fastener,
snaps, buttons, etc., as shown in FIG. 5 The perimeter wall 19 may
be made of a cloth 29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here,
out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper
edge 26 and a lower portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material,
etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the
mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to
the crib bumper 1.
[0048] Now referring to FIG. 3, a front cutaway view of a crib 2
having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is
shown. The crib 2 has a mattress support 4, corner posts 5, a first
side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7
having a plurality of slats 10 and a foot board 9 having a
plurality of slats 10. The mattress 3 has a top surface 12, a
bottom surface 11, and sides 13. The crib bumper 1 has a bottom
securing panel 14 that fits between the bottom surface 11 of the
mattress 3 and the mattress support 4, thereby completely
separating said mattress 3 and mattress support 4 and securing the
crib bumper 1 in place. A perimeter wall 19 having an inner surface
20, and outer surface 21 extends upward from the bottom securing
panel 14 between the side 13 of the mattress 3 and the crib 2 and
above the top surface 12 of the mattress 3 a predetermined
distance. At least one securing means 22 secures the perimeter wall
19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is
located on the outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. The
perimeter wall 19 may be made of cloth 29, quilted material, etc.
or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In addition, the perimeter wall
19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower portion 27 made of mesh 28,
quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of cloth 29 to add
stability to the mesh 28 and a stronger material to attach the
securing means 22 to the crib bumper 1.
[0049] Now referring to FIG. 4, a side cutaway view of a crib 2
having a crib bumper 1 of the present invention secured thereto is
shown. The crib 2 has a mattress support 4 corner posts 5, a first
side board 6 having a plurality of slats 10, a second side board 7
having a plurality of slats 10, a head board 8 having a plurality
of slats and a foot board 9 having a plurality of slats 10. The
mattress 3 has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 11, and sides 13.
The crib bumper 1 has a bottom securing panel 14 that fits between
the bottom surface 11 of the mattress 3 and the mattress support 4,
thereby completely separating said mattress 3 and mattress support
4 and securing the crib bumper 1 in place. A perimeter wall 19
having an inner surface 20, and outer surface 21 extends upward
from the bottom securing panel 14 between the side 13 of the
mattress 3 and the crib 2 and above the top surface 12 of the
mattress 3 a predetermined distance. At least one securing means 22
secures the perimeter wall 19 to the vertical slats 10 and/or
corner posts 5 of the crib 2 is located on the outer surface 21 of
the perimeter wall 19. The perimeter wall 19 may be made of cloth
29, quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In
addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower
portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown
here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a
stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib
bumper 1.
[0050] Finally, referring to FIG. 5, a partial plan view of a head
board 8 and a corner post of a crib 2 having a crib bumper 1 of the
present invention secured thereto is shown. At least one securing
means 22 securing a perimeter wall 19 of a crib bumper 1 to
vertical slats 10 and the corner post 5 of the crib 2 is located on
an outer surface 21 of the perimeter wall 19. The securing means is
a first securing strap 23 and a second securing strap 24 that are
placed around a slat 10 and attached to each other with an
attachment means 25, such as a hook and loop fastener, snaps,
buttons, etc. The perimeter wall 19 wall may be made of cloth 29,
quilted material, etc. or, as shown here, out of mesh 28. In
addition, the perimeter wall 19 has an upper edge 26 and a lower
portion 27 made of mesh 28, quilted material, etc. or, as shown
here, out of cloth 29 to add stability to the mesh 28 and a
stronger material to attach the securing means 22 to the crib
bumper 1.
[0051] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of
the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the
specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what
is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
* * * * *