U.S. patent application number 13/949607 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-19 for crib liner.
This patent application is currently assigned to CROWN CRAFTS INFANT PRODUCTS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is DEBRA DUNNE, NANCI FREEMAN. Invention is credited to DEBRA DUNNE, NANCI FREEMAN.
Application Number | 20130333112 13/949607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47422863 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130333112 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DUNNE; DEBRA ; et
al. |
December 19, 2013 |
CRIB LINER
Abstract
A crib liner and method of lining an infant crib are provided
that greatly reduce the risk of an infant injury resulting from an
infant's arm or legs extending through the slats or rails or a
crib. The crib liner is provided with a plurality of panels that
can have a perforated section and a cushioned section. The
plurality of panels may be separated into individual panels by a
plurality of stabilizers. The crib liner may be attached to the
crib by at least one fastener. The fastener may be located in any
area that allows the crib liner to be removably secured attached to
the crib.
Inventors: |
DUNNE; DEBRA; (COMPTON,
CA) ; FREEMAN; NANCI; (COMPTON, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DUNNE; DEBRA
FREEMAN; NANCI |
COMPTON
COMPTON |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CROWN CRAFTS INFANT PRODUCTS,
INC.
Gonzales
LA
|
Family ID: |
47422863 |
Appl. No.: |
13/949607 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13381012 |
Dec 27, 2011 |
8539626 |
|
|
PCT/US11/52443 |
Sep 21, 2011 |
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13949607 |
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61498930 |
Jun 20, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20130101;
A47D 15/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/424 |
International
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A crib liner for a crib comprising: a. a plurality of panels
wherein each panel has a top side and a bottom side; b. a plurality
of stabilizers secured to each panel by a pocket and positioned
substantially orthogonal to the top side and bottom side, wherein
the stabilizers comprise outer vertical stabilizers and at least
one inner vertical stabilizer; and c. at least one fastener
configured to removably and securely attach the crib liner to the
crib, wherein the fastener is attached to the crib liner.
22. The crib liner of claim 21, wherein the plurality of
stabilizers further comprises horizontal stabilizers located at the
top side or bottom side of each individual panel.
23. The crib liner of claim 21, wherein each panel further
comprises a perforated section.
24. The crib liner of claim 21, wherein the crib liner is
continuous.
25. The crib liner of claim 21, wherein the pockets and the
stabilizers are located along the periphery of the panels.
26. The crib liner of claim 21, wherein the vertical stabilizers
are disposed within the pockets.
27. The crib liner of claim 21, wherein the fastener is located in
the vicinity of one of the vertical stabilizers.
28. The crib liner of claim 27, wherein the fastener is located in
the vicinity of the inner vertical stabilizer.
29. A method of lining the walls of a crib comprising: a. obtaining
a plurality of crib liners such that the plurality of crib liners
is sufficient to provide at least one crib liner for each wall of
the crib, wherein said plurality of the liners further comprises:
i. plurality of panels, wherein each panel has a top side and a
bottom side; ii. plurality of stabilizers secured to each panel by
a pocket and positioned substantially orthogonal to the top side
and bottom side, wherein the plurality of stabilizers comprises
outer vertical stabilizers and at least one inner vertical
stabilizer; and iii. at least one fastener configured to removably
and securely attach the crib liner to the crib, wherein the
fastener is attached to the crib liner; b. placing one of said
plurality of crib liners parallel to one of the walls of the crib;
c. securing the liner to the wall utilizing said at least one
fastener; and d. repeating above steps until each of the walls is
fitted with the crib liner.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the plurality of stabilizers
further comprises horizontal stabilizers located at the top side or
bottom side of each individual panel.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein each of the plurality of panels
further comprises a perforated section.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the crib liner is
continuous.
33. The method of claim 29, wherein the pockets and stabilizers are
located along the periphery of the panels.
34. The method of claim 29, wherein the vertical stabilizers are
disposed within the pockets.
35. The method of claim 29, wherein the fastener is located in the
vicinity of one of the vertical stabilizers.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the fastener is located in the
vicinity of the inner vertical stabilizer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application 61/498,930 filed on Jun. 20, 2011.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to a liner for an infant's crib,
particularly a liner that is soft, flexible and breathable, and
covers a substantial portion of the inner side and end walls of a
crib. The purpose of the liner is to protect the crib user from
humping against the generally rigid side or end walls (e.g. rails)
of the crib and prevent the crib user from getting their arms,
legs, hands, or fingers stuck between the rails of crib. In
addition, the liner allows air to circulate within the crib and is
generally removably positioned relative to the rails of the crib
with the aid of fasteners such as ties.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Over the years, crib related safety issues have become a
paramount concern due to crib users being injured or killed after
becoming lodged between the rails. In order to mitigate these
safety concerns, several innovations have been developed.
[0004] One such innovation is a crib liner. Typically, the crib
liner is constructed of a fabric material that extends along the
inner periphery of the side and end walls of a crib thereby
preventing the crib user from impacting the rails or becoming
lodged between the rails. However, in many cases, crib liners do
not have adequate structural support. As a result, the crib liner
often sags or falls in the crib and does not fully cover the crib
walls, which increases the risk that an infant may lodge their
appendages between the crib rails.
[0005] These concerns have been addressed through a variety of
improvements to crib liners. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,368
discloses a crib liner constructed of mesh panel sections. However,
this crib liner only provides vertical supports at its corners.
Therefore, a need exists for a more versatile crib liner that
greatly reduces the risk of infant injury while also having
adequate structural support.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of this invention is to provide a crib liner and
a method of lining the walls of a crib that greatly reduces the
risk of infant injury by protecting infants' arms and legs from
becoming caught between the rails or slats of a crib while also
preventing infants from dropping pacifiers or other items out of
the crib. Another object of this invention is to provide a crib
liner that keeps sleeping areas cool and comfortable. A further
object of tins invention is to provide a crib liner that possesses
adequate structural support. Additional objects and advantages of
this invention shall become apparent in the ensuing descriptions of
the invention.
[0007] The crib liner includes at least one, but preferably a
plurality of panels. Each panel is provided with at least one, but
preferably with a plurality of stabilizers, which define the
boundaries of the panels and separate the plurality of panels into
individual panels.
[0008] Each individual panel has a top side, a bottom side, and end
sides. The end sides are orthogonal to the top side and the bottom
sides. At least one of the plurality of stabilizers may include one
or more vertical stabilizers located on the sides of each
individual panel. In addition, at least one of the plurality of
stabilizers may also include one or more horizontal stabilizers
located on either the top or bottom sides of each individual panel.
In an alternative embodiment, the horizontal stabilizers may be
provided on the top and bottom of each individual panel.
[0009] The plurality of panels may also include a cushioned
section, a perforated section, and a bottom border section. The
cushioned section is secured to the perforated section such that
the cushioned section is parallel to the perforated section. The
mesh is adequately perforated to allow air to circulate through the
perforated section.
[0010] Another aspect of this invention is a method of lining an
infant crib utilizing a crib liner as disclosed herein. The method
comprises obtaining a sufficient plurality of crib liners to
provide at least one crib liner for each wall of the infant crib.
One of the plurality of crib liners is placed parallel to one of
the crib walls of the infant crib. The crib liner is secured to the
crib walls by at least one fastener, preferably multiple fasteners.
The aforementioned steps are repeated until each wall of the infant
crib is fitted with a crib liner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a side wall crib liner in
accordance with this invention.
[0012] FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the outer vertical stabilizer
located on the end side of the crib liner.
[0013] FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of horizontal stabilizers
located on the top side of each individual panel.
[0014] FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the inner vertical
stabilizers located on inner end sides of each individual panel
comprising the plurality of panels.
[0015] FIG. 1D is an enlarged view of the horizontal stabilizers
located on the bottom side of each individual panel.
[0016] FIG. 1E is an enlarged view of the outer vertical stabilizer
located on the end side of the crib liner.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of an end wall crib liner in
accordance with this invention.
[0018] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the outer vertical stabilizer
located on the end side of the crib liner.
[0019] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of horizontal stabilizers
located on the top side of each individual panel.
[0020] FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of the inner vertical stabilizer
located on inner end sides of each individual panel comprising the
plurality of panels.
[0021] FIG. 2D is an enlarged view of the horizontal stabilizers
located on the bottom side of each individual panel.
[0022] FIG. 2E is an enlarged view of the outer vertical stabilizer
located on the end side of the crib liner.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a back view of a crib liner without a cushioned
section in accordance with this invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view of a crib liner without a cushioned
section in accordance with this invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front view of a continuous crib liner in
accordance with this invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a front view of a continuous crib liner in
accordance with this invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] An embodiment of a side wall crib liner in accordance with
this invention is shown generally in FIG. 1 at 100. The crib liner
100 comprises at least one, but preferably a plurality of panels
101a, 101b, 101c. Each panel 101a, 101b, 101c is provided with at
least one, but preferably with a plurality of stabilizers, which
may be located along the periphery of each individual panel
comprising the plurality of panels. The plurality of stabilizers
defines the boundaries of the panels and separates the plurality of
panels into individual panels.
[0028] Each individual panel 101a, 101b, 101c has a top side 105, a
bottom side 106, and end sides 103. The end sides 103 are
substantially orthogonal to the top side 105 and the bottom side
106. At least one of the plurality of stabilizers may include one
or more vertical stabilizers, such as boning stabilizers, located
on the sides of each panel 103. The vertical stabilizers may be
outer vertical stabilizers 102, which are located on the end sides
of the crib liner. The vertical stabilizers may also be inner
vertical stabilizers 112, which are located on the inner end sides
of each individual panel comprising the plurality of panels.
[0029] In addition, at least one of the plurality of stabilizers
may also include one or more horizontal stabilizers 104 located on
the either the top 105 or bottom 106 sides of each individual
panel. In an alternative embodiment, the horizontal stabilizers 104
are provided on the top 105 and bottom 106 of each individual
panel. The plurality of stabilizers may be secured to the plurality
of panels by pockets 111. The pockets are preferably located along
the periphery of each panel, and the stabilizers can be located
inside the pockets 111.
[0030] The plurality of panels may also include a cushioned section
107, a perforated section 108, and a bottom border section 109. If
the panel includes a cushioned section 107, the cushioned section
107 is secured to the perforated section 108 such that the
cushioned section 107 is parallel to the perforated section 108. In
an embodiment of the present invention, the perforated section 108
is secured such that the perforated section 108 is parallel to the
cushioned section 107 and below the cushioned section 107 as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0031] The cushioned section 107 may comprise any material capable
of protecting the crib user from injuries caused by bumping against
crib walls. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to,
foam rubber, natural down fill, synthetic down fill, cotton fill,
or a combination of the above. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the cushioned section 107 may also comprise a layer of
fabric over a plush material. The layer of fabric may be an
aesthetically pleasing decor fabric. The bottom border section 109
may be fused fabric.
[0032] The perforated section 108 may comprise a mesh. The mesh is
adequately perforated to allow air to circulate through the
perforated section 108. In addition, the mesh material must also be
strong enough to withstand forceful contact from an infant.
Suitable materials for the mesh material include, but are not
limited to, nylon, cotton, lace, and rayon.
[0033] The crib liner 100 also includes at least one fastener 110,
preferably a plurality fasteners 110. In the preferred embodiment,
fasteners 110 may be located at the corners of each individual
panel comprising the plurality of panels. The fasteners allow the
crib liner to be generally removably and securely positioned
relative to the inner walls of the crib. The fasteners 110 are
preferably bias ties, but may also include any type of fastener
capable of removably and securely attaching the crib liner 100 to a
crib.
[0034] An embodiment of an end wall crib liner in accordance with
this invention is shown generally in FIG. 2 at 200. The crib liner
200 comprises at least one, but preferably a plurality of panels
201a, 201b. Each panel 201a, 201b is provided with at least one,
but preferably with a plurality of stabilizers, which may be
located along the periphery of each individual panel comprising the
plurality of panels. The plurality of stabilizers defines the
boundaries of the panels and separates the plurality of panels into
individual panels.
[0035] Each individual panel 201a, 201b has a top side 205, a
bottom side 206, and end sides 203. The end sides 203 are
substantially orthogonal to the top side 205 and the bottom side
206. At least one of the plurality of stabilizers may include one
or more vertical stabilizers, such as boning stabilizers, located
on the sides of each panel 203. The vertical stabilizers may be
outer vertical stabilizers 202, which are located on the end sides
of the crib liner. The vertical stabilizers may also be inner
vertical stabilizers 212, which are located on the inner end sides
of each individual panel comprising the plurality of panels.
[0036] In addition, at least one of the plurality of stabilizers
may also include one or more horizontal stabilizers 204 located on
the either the top 205 or bottom 206 sides of each individual
panel. In an alternative embodiment, the horizontal stabilizers 204
are provided on the top 205 and bottom 206 of each individual
panel. The plurality of stabilizers may be secured to the plurality
of panels by pockets 211. The pockets are preferably located along
the periphery of each panel, and the stabilizers can be located
inside the pockets 211.
[0037] The plurality of panels may also include a cushioned section
207, a perforated section 208, and a bottom border section 209. If
the panel includes a cushioned section 207, the cushioned section
207 is secured to the perforated section 208 such that the
cushioned section 207 is parallel to the perforated section 208. In
an embodiment of the present invention, the perforated section 208
is secured such that the perforated section 208 is parallel to the
cushioned section 207 and below the cushioned section 207 as shown
in FIG. 2.
[0038] The cushioned section 207 may comprise any material capable
of protecting the crib user from injuries caused by bumping against
crib walls. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to,
foam rubber, natural down fill, synthetic down fill, cotton fill,
or a combination of the above. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the cushioned section 207 can also comprise a layer of
fabric over a plush material. The layer of fabric may be an
aesthetically pleasing decor fabric. In an alternative embodiment,
the cushioned section 207 may be constructed of fused fabric
instead of cushioning. The bottom border section 209 may be fused
fabric.
[0039] The perforated section 208 may comprise a mesh. The mesh is
adequately perforated to allow air to circulate through the
perforated section 208. In addition, the mesh material must also be
strong enough to withstand forceful contact from an infant.
Suitable materials for the mesh material include, but are not
limited to, nylon, cotton, lace, and rayon.
[0040] The crib liner 200 also includes at least one fastener 210,
preferably a plurality fasteners 210. In the preferred embodiment,
the fasteners 210 may be located at the corners of each individual
panel comprising the plurality of panels. The fasteners 210 allow
the crib liner to be generally removably and securely positioned
relative to the inner walls of the crib. The fasteners 210 are
preferably bias ties, but may also include any type of fastener
capable of removably and securely attaching the crib liner 200 to a
crib.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the crib
liner 300 does not include a cushioned section. FIG. 3 is a front
view of the crib liner 300 for a side wall of a crib. The crib
liner comprises a perforated section 108 and a border section 301.
The border section 301 may be constructed of fused fabric. The crib
liner 300 may be sized accordingly to fit the walls of cribs,
cradles, portable cribs, and so forth.
[0042] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the crib
liner 400 does not include a cushioned section. FIG. 4 is a front
view of the crib liner 300 for an end wall of a crib. The crib
liner comprises a perforated section 108 and a border section 401.
The border section 401 may be constructed of fused fabric. The crib
liner 400 may be sized accordingly to fit the walls of cribs,
cradles, portable cribs, and so forth.
[0043] In another alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the
crib liner may be a continuous crib liner 500 that connects
together at the side ends of the panels. The crib liner 500 shown
in FIG. 5 is depicted shown disconnected from the ends of the crib
liner 503, 504. However, the ends of the crib liner 503, 504 may be
secured together to form a single continuous crib liner. Each panel
is provided with at least one, but preferably with a plurality of
stabilizers, which may be located along the periphery of each
individual panel comprising the plurality of panels. The plurality
of stabilizers defines the boundaries of the panels and separates
the plurality of panels info individual panels.
[0044] The crib liner may also comprise a platform base configured
to connect to the crib liner panels, preferably the bottom of the
panes, to form one continuous crib liner that may be placed under a
crib mattress and also cover all the walls of a crib.
[0045] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the crib liner may
be a continuous crib liner 600 that connects together at the side
ends of the panels. The crib liner 600 shown in FIG. 6 is depicted
shown disconnected from the ends of the crib liner 603, 604.
However, the ends of the crib liner 603, 604 may be secured
together to form a single continuous crib liner. Each panel is
provided with at least one, but preferably With a plurality of
stabilizers, which may be located along the periphery of each
individual panel comprising the plurality of panels. The panels of
the crib liner may be sized to fit a crib wall in the shape of a
parallelogram. The crib liner may also comprise a platform base
configured to connect to the crib liner panels, preferably the
bottom of the panes, to form one continuous crib liner that may be
placed under a crib mattress and also cover all the walls of a
crib.
[0046] A crib liner in accordance with this disclosure is not
limited to a particular crib size. The crib liner can be sized as
necessary to fit a wide array of infant beds, such as cribs,
cradles, portable cribs, and so forth.
[0047] Another aspect Of this invention is a method of lining an
infant crib utilizing a crib liner as disclosed herein. The method
comprises obtaining a sufficient plurality of crib liners to
provide at least one crib liner for each wall of the infant crib.
One of the plurality of crib liners is placed parallel to one of
the crib walls of the infant crib. The crib liner is secured to the
crib walls by at least one fastener, preferably multiple fasteners.
The aforementioned steps are repeated until each wall of the infant
crib is fitted with a crib liner.
[0048] Any reference to patents, documents and other writings
contained herein shall not be construed as an admission as to their
status with respect to being or not being prior art. It is
understood that the array of features and embodiments taught herein
may be combined and rearranged in a large number of additional
combinations not directly disclosed, as will be apparent to one
having skill in the art.
[0049] There are, of course, other alternate embodiments, which are
obvious from the foregoing descriptions of the invention, which are
intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *