Mattress With Integral Bumper

Abstract

A mattress having particular application in conjunction with an infant's crib including a continuous peripheral bumper as an integral part of the mattress which provides greatly increased safety for the infant.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in mattresses and particularly to an improved form of baby mattress to be used in conjunction with an infant's crib. Conventional baby mattresses do not include any means for protecting an infant from harm, which may occur, for example, if some portion of the infant's body, particularly its head, is brought against a side panel or slats of the crib. It is known to attach a bumper to the sides of the crib which rests upon the upper surface of the crib mattress, extending about the periphery thereof. However, such bumpers are subject to being dislocated by movements of the infant and thus lose their protective function. Moreover, since such bumpers merely rest upon the upper surface of the mattress, it is possible for an infant to push its head between the lower edge of the bumper and the mattress with a consequent danger of asphixiation to the infant.

We are aware of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,629,884 and 2,549,597 which provide raised longitudinal portions along the edges of a pad or mattress to prevent an infant from rolling over the edge of the pad or mattress. However, neither of the patented constructions would entirely prevent movements of an infant against a crib's slats and the harm attendant upon such movement.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a novel crib construction which obviates the aforementioned difficulty and which provides cooperative means for fastening a crib sheet to the new mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mattress of unique design, preferably for use in an infant's crib, the mattress having a flat, rectangular body supporting section and integrally connected thereto a bumper which extends entirely about the periphery of the mattress. A blanket can be tucked over the bumper eliminating drafts and permitting the infant freedom to move with complete safety without disturbing the cover. The height of the bumper is such that an infant moving about upon the surface of the mattress will be unable to bring its head against the sides of the crib. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, quick connect and disconnect means are provided for fastening a sheet to the mattress of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crib containing the mattress of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal cross section of the crib of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mattress according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary details of attachment means for a sheet used in conjunction with the new crib mattress.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, a crib 10 has been illustrated which is conventional in design and includes sides 11 and ends 12 connected to posts 13. The sides and ends 11 and 12 are slatted as at 14. A spring 16 (FIG. 2) supports a mattress 17 which in the illustrated embodiment, is foam rubber. The mattress 17 includes a rectangular, horizontal section 17a and an integral bumper 17b which extends upwardly about the four sides of the mattress. The width of the bumper is about 2 inches and its height is about 4 to 6 inches, sufficient to prevent contact between the head of an infant and slats 14 if the infant should move about.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, there has been provided respectively at opposite longitudinal ends of the mattress 17, a hook and loop fastener strip 18 and corner hooks 19, the latter being secured to the body of the mattress by loops 20. As best seen in FIG. 2, a lower sheet 21 can be draped over the bumper 17b, and equipped at 22 with a mating hook and loop fastener strip, can thus be secured to the strip 18. The sheet 21 will have at its opposite end loops 23 for engagement with the hooks 19. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a blanket or sheet 15 can be tucked over the bumper 17b and under the mattress to secure same. The bumper will maintain the blanket close to but not in contact with the infant's body so that the infant can move freely beneath the blanket or sheet, which cannot become dislodged or tangled to present a hazard. There is no possibility for the infant to smother. At the same time, the bumper prevents drafts from reaching the infant.

It will be understood that the foregoing description has been of a particular embodiment of the invention and is, therefore, representative. In order to appreciate fully the scope of the invention, reference should be made to the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A mattress for use in cribs and the like comprising a flat horizontal section, a bumper section supported by and extending entirely around the periphery of said mattress, said bumper section being integral with said mattress and providing a width and girth to delineate within said horizontal section a space of confinement for an infant which is removed from adjacent crib structure, and connection means carried by said horizontal section for removably applying a crib sheet to said mattress, said connection means being of quick disconnect type and attached to said mattress along opposite longitudinal edges generally at the junction of said bumper and said flat horizontal section of said mattress, said crib sheet having mating quick disconnect means corresponding to said crib quick disconnect means.

2. The mattress according to claim 1 wherein said bumper width is sufficient normally to prevent contact between the head of said infant moving about the surface of said mattress and said adjacent crib structure and to permit bedding to be stretched across said infant lying upon said horizontal section without substantially contacting said infant.

3. The mattress according to claim 1 wherein said connection means includes a pair of spaced hook means carried at said junction at one end of said space and a fastener strip carried at the other end of said space.