AU2009201336A1

AU2009201336A1 - Inclined baby support

Info

Publication number: AU2009201336A1
Application number: AU2009201336A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hayley Birtles-Eades; Sally Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-08
Filing date: 2009-04-06
Publication date: 2009-10-22
Also published as: WO2009124361A1

Description

1 INCLINED BABY SUPPORT FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a baby support, in particular, but not exclusively to an inclined wedged shaped support member wherein the member includes an inclined support surface, detachable support members, and removable attachment means. BACKGROUND ART A high number of babies, new born and upwards, are born with or develop illnesses such as reflux, colic, and Flat Head Syndrome. Reflux is the regurgitation of acid stomach contents back into the oesophagus, resulting in restlessness and tenseness; colic is thought to be caused by gas in the bowel, leading to excessive crying and discomfort; and Flat Head Syndrome is caused by the weight of the baby's head placing pressure on the back or side of the head, which develops a misshapen head when the baby's head is not moved during rest. Established means of treating the above afflictions comprise medication and elevation. In the case of reflux, thickeners (thickened baby formulas/AR formula) may also be used to thicken the fluid, reducing spilling. In the case of Flat Head Syndrome, the risk may be reduced by tuning the baby's head while sleeping. Established prior art treatments have inherent disadvantages: medication may have adverse affects, and requires close and constant monitoring; elevation of a baby's bassinette may pose a safety hazard to an infant, and also requires close supervision. The prior art addressing these illnesses are thus arduous, and requires a parent or guardian's constant attention. The present invention is a baby support of wedge shaped design, which is cushioned and depressed to gently support a baby's head and neck, and provides elevation to keep a baby's stomach fluids away from the oesophagus in order to help prevent spilling. OBJECT OF INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide an alternate solution to the use of established means of addressing infantile illnesses such as reflux, colic and Flat Head Syndrome, which primarily comprise medication and elevation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inclined, cushioned baby support which may be varied to accommodate a particular baby's size, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. STATEMENT OF INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in an inclined support for a baby including, a wedged shaped member having an inclined support surface, 2 detachable members of various shapes and configurations for attachment to the support surface, removable attachment means between the detachable members and the support surface, wherein in use, a baby can be securely supported on the inclined surface by varying the position of the detachable members on the support surface. In a preferred embodiment, the wedged support member has a head-shaped depression or aperture to accommodate a baby's head in order to avoid the condition known as Flat Head Syndrome. In the alternative, the detachable members can include a circular member for attachment to the inclined surface in the region of the baby's head wherein the said detachable member has an aperture or head-shaped depression. Preferably, the detachable members also include spaced and opposed bolster members specially adapted to support a baby's body and/or head there-between. Preferably, the wedged shaped member and detachable members are made from medical grade plastic foam. More preferably the wedged shaped member and the detachable members are covered with a fabric material having a non-slip surface or non-slip portions located in strategic areas. Preferably where there are covers used, these are removable for washing and cleaning purposes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order that the invention be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention according to a first example. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the invention of Figure 1, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 show detail of the circular member for a baby's head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Terms such as "front", "back", "base", "top", "side", "bottom", "left", "right", "end", "head", "tail", "horizontal", etc refer to the orientation or configuration of an adjustable clamp used according to the illustrations and to assist in indicating points of reference when viewing the accompanying figures. It is to be understood that these terms do not limit the present invention to any specific orientation or configuration of the invention.

3 In the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a state integer or step or group if integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains". Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a top view of a prefened inclined baby support according to the invention. The support comprises a wedged shaped member (18, not shown in this view) having an inclined support surface (10). The inclined support surface (10) assists with breathing when the baby has a cold, flu or chest related breathing problem (where elevation is a suggested method of relief). The inclined support surface (10) also provides elevation to keep a baby's stomach fluids away from the oesophagus in order to help prevent spilling. Figure 1 shows detachable members in the form of a circular head support (14) having an aperture (16) in the head support (14) to accommodate a baby's head to avoid a condition known as Flat Head Syndrome. This is done by providing memory foam cushioning to the area that has contact with the pillow, thereby preventing the baby's head from pressing on a firm surface. Figure 1 also shows side bolsters (12) which are detachable preferably by means of hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro strips that allow the placement of the detachable members around the inclined surface (10) to support babies of various sizes and/or in different positions. The side bolsters (12) also assist to keep baby on his/her back, and to help stop the baby rolling away due to the elevation. The wedged shaped member (18, not shown in this view), inclined support surface (10) and detachable members (12 and 14) comprising the inclined baby support, is made from a soft, forming memory foam. The fabric used is also flame retardant. Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of the inclined baby support of Figure 1. As shown previously, the detachable members include a head support (14) having an aperture (16) and a pair of opposed bolster members (12) which are detachable from the wedged shape member (18) by means of hook-and-loop fastening strips such as Velcro strips. The inclined baby support is made from a soft, forming memory foam. The fabric used is also flame retardant. The wedged shaped member (18), inclined support surface (10) detachable members (12 and 14), and cover (not shown) are fully movable and detachable. The bolsters (12) may be moved up or down in order to adjust to baby's growth or accommodate different sized babies. These members (12 and 14) are secured into place by means of hook and-loop fasteners such as Velcro, press stud fasteners, strapping or other suitable detachable fastening means for easy detachment, for e.g. cleaning purposes. The baby support kit is also portable, and can be used in a cot, bassinette, on a bed, on a change table, in a playpen, in a pushchair, in a pram, in a stroller, on the floor. The commercial applications of the invention include use in childcare centres, hospitals, and paediatrics centres. Figure 2 shows the inclined baby support without a fabric cover and it will be obvious that if a fabric cover is used that the detachable members can be individually covered, and moved around the inclined surface accordingly. In the alternative, a single fabric 4 cover may be used to cover the whole device after an initial positioning of the detachable members (12 and 14). Figure 3 and 4 show detail different views of the detachable head support member (14). The detachable head support member (14) is generally of circular configuration having an aperture (16) located where a baby's head may be placed to avoid what is known as Flat Head Syndrome, by also providing memory foam cushioning to the area that has contact with the pillow, thereby preventing the baby's head from pressing on a firm surface. The circular head support (14) may be slightly tapered from the front, raising slightly at the rear to provide a more comfortable support for a baby. As with the opposed bolster members (12, not shown in this view), the head support (14) is attachable to the inclined surface (10, not shown in this view) by means of hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro, press stud fasteners, strapping or other suitable detachable fastening means. The inclined baby support, including the head support member (14) and opposed bolster members (12), are made from a soft, forming memory foam. The fabric used is also flame retardant. VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. An inclined support for a baby including, a wedged shaped member having an inclined support surface, detachable members of various shapes and configurations for attachment to the support surface, removable attachment means between the detachable members and the support surface, wherein in use, a baby can be securely supported on the inclined surface by varying the position of the detachable members on the support surface.

2. The support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the wedged support member has a head-shaped depression or aperture to accommodate a baby's head in order to avoid the condition known as Flat Head Syndrome.

3. The support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the detachable members can include a circular member for attachment to the inclined surface in the region of the baby's head wherein the said detachable member has an aperture or head shaped depression.

4. The support as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the detachable members also include spaced and opposed bolster members specially adapted to support a baby's body and/or head there-between.

5. The support as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the wedged shaped member and detachable members are made from medical grade plastic foam.

6. The support as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the wedged shaped member and the detachable members are covered with a fabric material having a non-slip surface or non-slip portions located in strategic areas.

7. The support as claimed in any of the above claims wherein there are covers that are removable for washing and cleaning purposes.

8. An inclined support for a baby substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.