GB2482533A

GB2482533A - Heated pad

Info

Publication number: GB2482533A
Application number: GB1013205.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lydia Ebdon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-05
Filing date: 2010-08-05
Publication date: 2012-02-08
Also published as: GB201013205D0

Abstract

A sleep pad, cushion or pillow comprises: a deformable pad 2, a heater 6 in thermal contact with the pad and a temperature controller 7 adapted to measure the temperature of the deformable pad and to control the heater to maintain the temperature of the deformable pad at a predetermined value. The pad may have a contoured upper surface, raised edges 3, a raised pillow portion 5 and a recess 4 into which a user fits in use. The deformable pad may be a gel pad. The pad may be suitable for use with babies or pets. In one embodiment the pad may comprise rocking means, a sound generator to replicate a pulse or heartbeat and means to simulate a parentâ s breathing. Such features are intended to comfort an infant when they are put down by a parent.

Description

A sleep pad The present invention relates to a sleep pad. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a sleep pad comprising a deformable pad and a heater in thermal contact with the pad for maintaining the pad at a predetermined temperature, preferably the body temperature of the user.

Most new parents experience the frustration of a baby who will sleep in their arms on or their lap or chest but will wake and cry as soon as they are put to bed in their cot.

Parents do not ike to take a baby into their bed because of the risk of rolling onto it and because they want their baby to learn to steep alone for convenience. Various devices are available to he'p but all are of imited effectiveness.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a sleep pad comprising a deformable pad; a heater in thermal contact with the pad; and, a temperature controller adapted to measure the temperature of the deformable pad at at least one point and to control the heater to maintain the temperature of the deformable pad at a predetermined value.

The temperature of the deformable pad, being the same as the parent, provides comfort that an ordinary mattress cannot and helps the baby to fall and stay asleep.

Preferably, the predetermined value is human body temperature.

The predetermined value can be the body temperature of an animal, preferably a dog or a cat.

Preferably, one face of the deformable pad is contoured.

The deformable pad can compnse a raised edge.

The deformable pad can comprise a recess for receiving a user.

The deformable pad can comprise a raised pillow portion.

The deformable pad can comprise a deformable gel.

The deformable pad can comprise at least one hollow volume within the pad.

The sleep pad can further comprise a rocking means for reciprocally rocking the deformable pad.

The sleep pad can further comprise a sound generator, preferably a speaker, adapted to generate the sound of a pulse or heartbeat through the deformable pad.

The sleep pad can further comprise a breathing means adapted to redprocaUy raise and lower the upper surface of the deformable pad to simu'ate breathing.

The deformable pad can be a portion of a mattress. The deformable pad can be part of a seat, preferably a car seat or airline seat.

The present invention wiU now be descnbed by way of example only and not in any imitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a sleep pad according to the invention in part cut away view; Figure 2 shows a sleep pad according to the invention attached to a mattress; Figure 3 shows a sleep pad according to the invention in combination with a baby chair; Figure 4 shows a sleep pad according to the invention in a dogs basket.

Shown in figure 1 is a sleep pad I according to the invention. The sleep pad I comprises a deformable pad 2. The upper surface 3 of the deformable pad 2 is contoured to prevent a user of the sleep pad 1 from falling off the sleep pad 1 in use. n this embodiment the deformable pad 2 comprises a raised edge 3 around the edge of the deformable pad 2. It also comprises a recess 4 into which the user fits in use. The deformable pad 2 also compnses a raised pillow portion 5 for the head of the user.

In this embodiment the deformable pad 2 is a gel pad. The gel reduces pressure points mproving comfort in the same way as a bicycle gel saddle redudng the risk of soreness or discomfort. It also better emulates the human body than more traditional types of mattress.

Contained within the deformable pad 2 is a heater 6 in thermal contact with the deformable pad 2. The heater 6 can be powered by a mains supply. In an alternative embodiment it is battery powered. The battery powered version can be re-charged from the mains in situ or the heater 6 or batteries can be removed from the deformable pad 2 to be charged. The heater 6 is connected to a temperature controller 7. In use the temperature controller 7 measures the temperature of the deformable pad 2 at one or more points and controls the heater 6 to maintain the temperature of the deformable pad 2 at a predetermined value. In this embodiment the sleep pad 1 is dimensioned to be used by a baby or small child and so the heater 6 holds the temperature of the deformable pad 2 at human body temperature. The sleep pad 1 simulates body contact with a parent so providing comfort for the child and encouraging sleep.

Research suggests that bodily contact between parent and baby can have long term benefits. For example, cultures with higher proportions of parent-baby contact have been shown to have lower rates of delinquency; monkeys reared in a cage with a cuddly toy adult figure show better socialisation in later life than monkeys with no such figure, but poorer socialisation than those brought up by their live mother. By emulating bodily contact the sleep pad 1 according to the invention could bring such long term benefits.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown) the deformable pad 2 further contains one or more hollow volumes within it. Typically such hollow volumes are employed within gel type deformable pads. The sleep pad I further comprises a sound generator (typically a speaker) which generates the sound of a pulse or heartbeat within the deformable pad 2. The sound of the heartbeat or pulse produced by the speaker dosely resembles that of the parent after having been transmitted through the gel and the one or more hoUow volumes.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown) the deformable pad 2 further comprises a rocking means for redprocally rocking the deformable pad 2 from side to side. The rocking means is typicay a mechanical device running backwards and forwards within the deformable pad 2. In alternative embodiments which indude hollow volumes within the deformable pad 2 the rocking may be achieved by selectively inflating or deflating the volumes in sequence.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown) the deformable pad 2 further comprises a breathing means. The breathing means reciprocally raises and lowers the upper surface of the deformable pad 2 to simulate breathing. Typically this comprises a mechanical device. In alternative embodiments which include hollow volumes this could be achieved by inflating and deflating the volumes. This motion could be superimposed on the rocking motion.

In alternative embodiments of the invention the sleep pad 1 could include combinations of rocking means, breathing means and sound generator.

Shown in figure 2 is an alternative embodiment of a sleep pad 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment the sleep pad I is attached semi permanently to a mattress 8. It is held in place by straps 9 around the corners of the mattress 9. The sleep pad I is covered by a sheet. An optional battery holder 10 for the sleep pad I is also shown.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the deformable pad 2 s an integra' portion of a mattress 8.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a steep pad I according to the invention. In this embodiment the s'eep pad I s received within a chair II and s he'd in p'ace by straps 12. The deformable pad 2 cou'd be made in the shape of a seat.

In a further embodiment of the nvention the sleep pad I can be incorporated into the design of a seat, for example a car seat. The sleep pad 1 comprises at least a portion of the padding of the seat. When used in the car the sleep pad I can be switched on when the chad starts to show signs of tiredness and left off at other times. It could be operated directly or remotely, for example from the front seat. In an additional embodiment the sleep pad I is an integral portion of an airline seat.

Figure 4 shows a sleep pad 1 according to the invention used in a dog basket 13. In this case the temperature of the sleep pad 1 is maintained at 38 degrees Celsius (a dogs body temperature). The sleep pad 1 of this embodiment needs more protection than a sleep pad I for human use to protect it from daws and teeth. The sleep pad 1 is not restricted to use with dogs but could be used with a wide range of animals. The sleep pad 1 would be adapted to maintain the temperature of the deformable pad 2 at or about the body temperature of the animal concerned. It is especially useful for animals separated from their mothers at an early stage or for animals which are kept in environments such as dogs homes or zoos. It could also provide comfort during a period of illness or stress following a change of environment.

In a further embodiment of the invention the sleep pad I includes a timer. After a predetermined time the timer may reduce the temperature of the sleep pad 1 or may turn off the heater competey. In a further aternatve embodiment the steep pad I ncIudes a moflon sensor. When the motbn sensor detects that motion of the user s reduced t s programmed to respond. The motion sensor may respond by varying the temperature of the deformabe pad 2, either raising or owerng t as required.

AIternativey/addUonaUy, t may respond by changing the ntensfty and/or frequency of rocking or breathing.

Claims

CLAtMS 1. A sleep pad comprising a deformabe pad; a heater in thermal contact with the pad; and, a temperature controUer adapted to measure the temperature of the deformable pad at at least one point and to control the heater to maintain the temperature of the deformable pad at a predetermined value.
2. A sleep pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is human body temperature.
3. A sleep pad as daimed in daim 1, wherein the predetermined value s the body temperature of an animal, preferably a dog or a cat.
4. A sleep pad as daimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein one face of the deformable pad is contoured.
5. A sleep pad as claimed in claim 4, wherein the deformable pad comprises a raised edge.
6. A sleep pad as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the deformable pad comprises a recess for receiving a user.
7. A sleep pad as daimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the deformable pad comprises a raised piUow portbn.
8. A sleep pad as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, wherein the deformable pad comprises a deformable gel.
9. A sleep pad as claimed in any one of claims I to 8, wherein the deformable pad comprises at least one hollow volume within the pad.
10. A sleep pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a rocking means for reciprocally rocking the deformable pad.
11. A sleep pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a sound generator, preferably a speaker, adapted to generate the sound of a pulse or heartbeat through the deformabe pad.
12. A sleep pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a breathing means adapted to reciprocally raise and lower the upper surface of the deformable pad to simulate breathing.
13. A sleep pad substantially as hereinbefore described.
14. A sleep pad substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.