US20100235996A1

US20100235996A1 - Device and apparatus for infant placement

Info

Publication number: US20100235996A1
Application number: US12/406,377
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-18
Filing date: 2009-03-18
Publication date: 2010-09-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to an infant placement device for preventing infant roll over that may include: an under support padding; at least two winged supporting portions extending from the support padding; and a means to secure an infant onto the support padding. The means to secure the infant may include two crossing straps, or alternatively two straps and a torso cover. The upper support padding may include a head support pillow and a bedding support, where said bedding support extends the entire length of the placement device. In one exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. The bedding support may also include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include an audio system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a device and apparatus directed toward infant safety.
2. Description of Related Art
Safety is of paramount importance when handling and caring for infants. Specially designed devices directed towards infants are abundant and include cribs, car seats, rockers, playpens, walkers, infant tubes, flotation devices, high chairs, boosters and strollers to name a few. Most of these devices account for special risks related to infants and their care.
One area of concern involves the placement of an infant onto a flat service such as a bed or a changing table for a short period of time. An adult may normally place the child in such a position temporarily, however the adult must remain close by within arms reach to prevent the child from possibly rolling off the edge of the bed or table. The attending adult may desire to leave beyond that range of reach momentarily to retrieve something or possibly attend to another child. Allowing the infant to remain in the position unattended could have serious consequences if the infant should suddenly move or roll over. Although the marketplace is abundant with infant related devices there remains a need for such a device or apparatus to assist an adult in the above situation, particularly a device that provides a means to securely keep the child in a safe position while reclining on their back on a changing table or a bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infant placement device for preventing infant roll over comprising: an under support padding; at least two winged supporting portions extending from the support padding; and a means to secure an infant onto the support padding. The means to secure the infant may include two crossing straps, or alternatively two straps and a torso cover. The upper support padding may include a head support pillow and a bedding support, where said bedding support extends the entire length of the placement device. In one exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. The bedding support may also include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include an audio system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an infant placement device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows an elevational view of the infant placement device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the infant placement device with an amusement device attached.

FIG. 3A shows a detailed view of a head support pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a detailed view of a bedding support according to the present invention.

FIG. 3C shows a detailed view of attachment straps according to the present invention.

FIG. 3D shows an alternative securing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 3E shows a detail of wing portions according to the present invention.

FIG. 3F shows an audio cord according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative head support pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative bedding support according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an infant placement device which secures the infant while lying on their back. The infant placement device according to the present invention prevents babies from rolling off flat surfaces such as a table or a bed when placed in that position temporarily by an attending adult. The infant placement device provides a means to secure the infant while the adult may leave the child unattended for a temporary period of time.
An infant placement device 10 according to the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. The infant placement device 10 includes two wing portions 10 a, 10 b which stretch outwardly from a center under support. The wing portions 10 a, 10 b secure the infant in a stationary position while the infant is strapped into the infant placement device 10 via straps 12 a, 12 b. As depicted, the straps 12 a, 12 b cross about the infant's torso and secures the infant to the infant placement device 10. The wing portions 10 a, 10 b are of sufficient width that makes it extremely difficult if not impossible for the infant to roll over to its stomach or roll from side to side while within the infant placement device 10. The infant placement device 10 includes a head support pillow 22 which provides a supporting cushion for the infant's head.
The infant placement device 10 includes an under support 20 as depicted in FIG. 2A. The head support pillow 22 and bedding support 24 comprise the under support 20 for the infant placement device 10. The bedding support 24 runs the length of the device and supplies a padded support for the infant while placed in the infant placement device 10. The straps 12 a, 12 b are depicted open to allow the placement of the infant onto the under support 20. In another exemplary embodiment, the infant placement device 10 may include an amusement device that hangs over the infant while within the infant placement device 10 as depicted in FIG. 2B.
Detailed drawings of the head support pillow 22 and bedding support 24 are depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As depicted, the head support pillow 22 is substantially flat on the bottom side with a curved top side portion to allow the resting of the infant's head. Similarly, the bedding support 24 is substantially flat on its bottom side with a curve support area for the infant. In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bedding support 24 may include an internal vibrator 24 a. The internal vibrator provides a vibration to help soothe the infant while resting in the infant placement device.
In another exemplary embodiment, alternative securing devices are depicted in FIGS. 3C and 3D. The straps 12 a, 12 b are shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D depicts a chest cover 15. The chest cover 15 includes straps 15 a, 15 b with a torso cover 15 c. The chest cover 15 provides an alternate means to secure the infant into the infant placement device as opposed to straps 12 a, 12 b.
FIG. 3E shows a detailed view of the wing portions 10 a, 10 b. As noted these wing portions 10 a, 10 b meet and are secured to the bedding support. The wing portions 10 a, 10 b remain substantially convex when laid on a flat surface as depicted in FIG. 3E. This convex shape helps to provide further inertia to prevent the rolling of the infant while within the infant placement device 10.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative infant placement device 10 according to the present invention. As noted in FIG. 4, the wing portions 10 a, 10 b strike an alternative design but perform substantially the same purpose as in the previous embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. The wing portions 10 a, 10 b remain extending outwardly from the under support 20 and an alternative securing strap is used, chest cover 15, to secure the infant into the infant placement device 10. The straps 15 a, 15 b cross the infant's chest area and attach to the torso strap 15 c to secure the infant into the infant placement device 10. The under support 20 remains consistent with the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
In another exemplary embodiment, an alternative head support may be incorporated to help induce a comfortable and resting environment by supplying audio sound. Such an embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 includes internal speakers 23 a, 23 b at each end of the head support pillow 22. The speakers 23 a, 23 b are connected to a pocket iPod adapter receiver 25 that can receive an iPod adaptable cord 27 depicted in FIG. 3F. Consequently, the infant may receive sounds of music or otherwise through the internal speakers while resting in the infant placement device 10.
Another feature contemplated by the present invention includes a bedding support 24 which breaks in the center so that once the infant is placed in the infant placement device 10, the bedding support gives slightly in the center to surround the infant while resting in the infant placement device 10. The alternative bedding support 24 is depicted in FIG. 6.
The infant placement device according to present invention provides a safe and comfortable device for placement of an infant for a temporary period of time. This unique device can help prevent serious injury and possibly death of an infant who may be left temporarily unattended on a flat surface. In addition, the infant placement device may be easily packed and strapped together for mobile use while traveling. The infant placement device will be especially helpful if the infant is left at a location away from his home where the baby may be placed on a bed or a table to rest and helps alleviate the concerns of the attending adult.

Claims

1. An infant placement device for preventing infant roll over comprising:

a. an under support padding;

b. at least two winged supporting portions extending from the support padding; and

c. a means to secure an infant onto the support padding.

2. The infant placement device according to claim 1, where the means to secure the infant includes two crossing straps.

3. The infant placement device according to claim 1, where the means to secure the infant includes two straps and a torso cover.

4. The infant placement device according to claim 1, where the upper support padding includes a head support pillow and a bedding support, where said bedding support extends the entire length of the placement device.

5. The infant placement device according to claim 4, where the head support pillow includes a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved.

6. The infant placement device according to claim 4, where the bedding support includes a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved.

7. The infant placement device according to claim 4, where the head support pillow includes an audio system.

8. The infant placement device according to claim 7, where the audio system includes at least two speakers and a receiving connector, where said receiving connector provides a means to connect an audio player.

9. The infant placement device according to claim 4, where the bedding support includes an internal vibrator.

10. The infant placement device according to claim 4, where the bedding support includes a partition.

11. The infant placement device according to claim 1, where the winged portions includes two sides, a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially convex.

12. The infant placement device according to claim 1, that further comprises an overhanging amusement device.