AU8834898A - Sleeping bag assembly - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

FOR A STANDARD

PATENT

Name of Applicant: SARAH ANNE SILK Actual Inventor SARAH ANNE SILK Address for Service: Chrysiliou Moore Martin CMC Centre 143 Sydney Road Fairlight Sydney NSW 2094 Invention Title: Sleeping Bag Assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: \Wkmarn\ work5082.doc kr II \ser'eref atsnts\c

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np'189 doc This invention relates to a sleeping bag assembly. In particular, this invention is concerned with a sleeping bag which may be used to confine infants or others to a preferred sleeping position.

For many years it was the custom for child health experts to recommend that Sinfants were placed in a prone position for sleeping. This recommendation was revised on the basis that sleeping prone may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

(SIDS).

After research, child care experts recommended that infants were placed for sleeping on their sides, to avoid the risk of SIDS. However, until now, there was io no effective means of maintaining an infant in that position; it was found that some infants rolled from the side position into the prone position during sleep and died of SIDS- •Recently, the National SIDS Council of Australia has released new recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS. The main recommendation is to 1" place an infant in the supine position for sleeping. A subsidiary recommendation is to ensure that the infant's head does not become covered during sleep.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sleeping bag which enables an infant or an older person to be maintained in a desired position, such as on its side or on its back, during sleep. It is a further object of this invention to provide a sleeping bag assembly which, because it can obviate the need for additional sheets and blankets, can reduce the likelihood of the infant's or person's head becoming covered during sleep.

It is also an object of the present invention, at least in some embodiments, to Sprovide means by which a sleeping surface may be tilted at an angle to the horizontal, whilst still retaining the infant or person in position on the sleeping surface. Raising the head level can be beneficial in many situations, such as when the infant is suffering from congestion, for example. In addition, bottle feeding of an infant on a tilted surface is preferred to bottle feeding of an infant on a horizontal surface. Some medical circumstances may make it desirable to tit the feet or legs.

Accordingly, this invention provides a sleeping bag assembly including a bag having a head and a foot and including means for attaching the bag to a stable support.

I

t 1 \senerte\patents'im p\B 189.doc For convenience, in the description below, reference will be made to the assembly of the invention in relation to infants. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention includes children, adolescents and adults.

The bag in the sleeping bag assembly of the invention may take the form of a regular sleeping bag, reduced in size to accommodate an infant. In one preferred embodiment, however, the bag is bifurcated at its foot, so that each branch of the bifurcation can accommodate one of the legs of the infant. In another preferred embodiment, the bag in the assembly of the invention has a shaped extension on each side, each of which accommodates an arm of the infant. When the bag in ia the assembly of the invention is made from a padded or semi-rigid material, this last-mentioned embodiment can help to prevent the infant from bringing its hands to its face, reducing the risk of scratching. In yet a further embodiment, the bag in the assembly of the invention includes both the bifurcation and the extensions for the arms.

In another embodiment, the bag has cutaway portions through which the arms of the infant may protrude.

The sleeping bag assembly of the invention may be designed to accommodate all the body of the infant except for the head. Alternately, the sleeping bag assembly of the invention may include a headpiece on which the infant's head will lie. In the latter embodiment, the headpiece can include a pillow or padding, or may be hooded or otherwise designed to enclose the head, exposing only the face.

The bag in the assembly of the invention may be constructed from any suitable material but is preferably made from padded cotton which washes readily. A quilted lightweight washable cotton is particularly preferred.

Tne bag may include various means for facilitating insertion of the infant in the bag. In the simplest version, where the bag resembles an envelope, the infant is inserted through the open end of the envelope. However, it is far more preferred to have one or more openings in the bag to facilitate insertion of the infant.

Thus, in one embodiment, the bag has an opening extending down all or some of its length to or towards the foot of the bag. Ideally, such an opening is located in the centre of the bag. An alternative arrangement, for example, is to have two parallel or converging openings, one down each side of the bag. Any such opening may be closed by any known means, including sliding zip fasteners, ;-1 iX ",senere\ate nts\comnpX8189.doc hook and loop fasteners (sold under the trade mark VELCRO), press studs, ties, buttons and buttonholes and the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the foot of the sleeping bag in the assembly of the invention is extendable to accommodate the length of an infant s as it grows. This may be achieved, for example, by providing a series of snap fasteners or VELCRO strips or similar closures which can be used to fold a flap at the foot of the bag to a length suitable for the current size of the infant. As the infant becomes longer, the foot of the bag is released from the chosen closures and reclosed in an elongated position.

So The sleeping bag assembly of the invention may be attached by the attachment means to a variety of stable supports. Examples are cots, beds, perambulators, vehicle seats and shopping trolleys. The invention is not limited to any one of .these applications but covers other applications as will be apparent to one skilled S. in the art.

15 The attachment means to be used in connection with the sleeping bag assembly of the invention includes any means which serve to attach the bag in relation to *the stable support. Various configurations will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Examples are set out as follows.

Especially where the sleeping bag assembly of the invention is to be used in relation to a cot or bed, the attachment means may comprise a single tape or pair of tapes, each extending laterally of the bag, with a single tape or pair of tapes also extending from the head of the bag. These tapes can then be attached to the cot or bed, preferably to the slats supporting the mattress. Optionally, a tape or a 25 pair of tapes may extend from the foot of the bag as well. In the case of cots having vertically slatted sides, the tapes may be tied to the cot slats.

In another embodiment, the attachment means include the tapes referred to above extending laterally from each side of the bag. However, at the head of the bag, instead of one or two tapes, the bag inciudes a hood which is attached to the underlying mattress by means of VELCRO closures or press studs for example.

In yet another embodiment, the attachment means includes a separate piece, such as a hood, which is attached to or fitted over part of the stable support, such as the head of a mattress, there being closure means on the bag which cooperate rrd~s l~ervr Ipalenssrorr\pll89.do with closure means on the separate piece. For example, there may be a number of buttons or press studs on the separate piece, which cooperate with button holes or press stud receivers, respectively, on the sleeping bag assembly. By way of further example, one or more pieces of hook and loop closure may be s attached to the separate piece, with a corresponding number of cooperating loop or hook closures on the sleeping bag assembly.

As another example, the sleeping bag assembly of the invention may be attached to a surface of a stable support such as a mattress by attaching one or more pieces of one part of VELCRO closure to the surface of the stable support and lo attaching the co-operating pieces of the VELCRO closures to the underneath part of the sleeping bag. In some embodiments, only one VELCRO strip, positioned in approximately the spinal area of the sleeping bag, will be sufficient.

It will be seen from the above description that the sleeping bag assembly of the invention is capable, in at least some embodiments, of maintaining the infant in a 15 tilted position. In some of these embodiments, it is preferred that the sleeping bag assembly of the invention has attachment means at the head or foot of the bag, as well as attachment means extending laterally.

As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, while the sleeping bag assembly of the invention is suitable for maintaining an infant in the supine position (lying horizontally or tilted), it can also be adapted to maintain an infant on its side. For example, a cooperating part of one or more VELCRO strips may be attached to one or both sides of the sleeping bag, instead of or in addition to one or more VELCRO strips attached to the spina; area of the bag. Because of the stabilisation of the sleeping bag by the attachment means, the infant will be maintained on its side in a type of cocoon and will not be likely to roll forward on to its face.

The invention will now be described in connection with non-limiting examples thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in plan view a first embodiment of the sleeping bag assembly of the invention; Figure 2 shows in plan view a second embodiment of the sleeping bag assembly of the invention; Figure 3 shows in plan view a third embodiment of the invention; _j Sservee\patentscomp\BI 89.doc Figures 4 and 5 shows in plan view a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of a mattress to which the embodiment in Figures 4 and can be attached; and Figure 7 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of the invention, including a s wedge to tilt the infant.

Referring first to Figure 1, sleeping bag assembly 10 has a bag 11 made of lightly-quilted cotton and includes a head 12, a body portion 14 and a foot Body portion 14 is easily accessible by releasing sliding zip fastener 16.

The approximate location of an infant's head, when the infant is installed in S. 10 sleeping bag assembly 10, is shown by dotted outline 18.

Attachment tapes 19, 20, 21 and 22 are of an appropriate length and can be used to attach sleeping bag assembly 10 laterally to supports (not shown), such as cot If' slats. Similarly, attachment tapes 23 and 24 are of any desired length and can be 1- used to attach sleeping bag assembly 10 to a support via head 12.

Referring now to Figure 2, sleeping bag assembly 30 has a bag 31, which includes a head 32, a body portion 34 and a foot 35. Head 32 includes a hood 36.

Foot 35 is bifurcated to provide leg branches 38 and 40. Body portion 34 also .includes arm extensions 42 and 44.

Lateral tapes 45 and 46 and tape 47 attached to head 32 can be used to attach 20 sleeping bag assembly 30 to a support, such as a shopping trolley (not shown).

A' An infant may be inserted in sleeping bag assembly 30 by opening VELCRO closures 48 and 49.

Turning now to Figure 3, sleeping bag assembly 60 has bag 61, head 62, body portion 64 and foot 63. Head 62 is padded to pillow an infant's head, after the infant has been inserted through opening Sleeping bag assembly 60 is designed to be attached to a portion of a VELCRO strip on a cot sheet or a similar support (not shown) via a cooperating portion of a VELCRO strip 66 (shown in dotted outline) sewn to the underneath of bag 61.

Body portion 64 is adjustable as to length to accommodate a growing infant. End 68 may be secured by VELCRO strips 69 and 70 (shown in dotted outline) to the 0\serer\'p.atents\comp\S1 89.doc desired VELCRO strips 71 and 72, or 73 and 74 (beneath strips 69 and 70 in this Figure) or 75 and 76.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the sleeping bag assembly of the invention may be readily adapted to allow an infant to sleep on its side. For s example, bag 61 in Figure 3 may have either the hook or the loop portion of a VELCRO strip arranged parallel to strip 66, as shown in dotted outline at 77 andlor 78 in Figure 3. The infant can be inserted in bag 61 and the assembly attached to a cooperating VELCRO strip on a stable support (not shown) by means of strip 77 or 78. In this way, the infant can be secured on its side.

In each of Figures 1 to 3, when the sleeping bag assembly of the invention is intended to be used on a mattress, the head of the assembly may be secured to a hood which can fit over the top end of the mattress. This embodiment would obviate the need for tapes 23 and 24 in Figure 1, or tape 47 in Figure 2.

Securement between the head and the hood may be by way of snap fasteners, VELCRO fasteners or any other desired means.

A specific embodiment of this is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Referring first to Figures 4 and 5, sleeping bag assembly 80 has bag 81 which includes head 82, body portion 83 and foot 84. Opening 91 (a sliding zip fastener, or VELCRO closure, for example), allows easy insertion of an infant in bag 81. The infant's head would lie on head 82, with edge 26 sitting in the region of the infant's neck -or upper chest. The infant's arms would be inserted through armholes 27 and 28.

L ateral tapes 85 and 85 (of any desired length) are for attachment to slats of a cot (not shown) or for tying or otherwise attaching to a mattress (not shown).

.1 Like sleeping bag assembly 60 in Figure 3, assembly 80 in Figures 4 and 5 can be adjusted as to length to accommodate a growing infant. Buttonholes 87, 88, 89 and 90 at the end of foot 84 can be secured to buttons 92, 93, 94 and 95 or buttons 96, 97, 98 and 99 or buttons 100, 101,102 and 103. In this way, bag 81 may be adjusted in length to a number of positions. Four are possible in the embodiment in Figures 4 and 5: the short version shown in Figure 4, where buttonholes 87, 88, 89 and 90 are attached to buttons 92, 93, 94 and 95 (shown in dotted outline in Figure a slightly longer version, when buttonholes 87-90 are attached to buttons 96-99, a still longer version, when buttonholes 87-90 are attached to buttons 100-103, and the longest version, as pictured in Figure S ~'atents \cc m p\51 69.doc At head 82 of assembly 80 are further buttonholes 104, 105, 106 and 107. These are for the purpose of attachment to buttons 108, 109, 110 and 111 on hood 112 illustrated in Figure 6. Hood 112 fits snugly around all four sides of top end 113 of mattress 114.

Referring now to Figure 7, sleeping bag assembly 120 may resemble assembly of Figure 3 or assembly 80 of Figures 4 and 5, or some other suitable assembly. Bag 121 has attachment means, but these are not shown in Figure 7, Sfor convenience. Under head 122 is inserted wedge 125, which raises head 122 relative to foot 124. This can tilt the infant to a desired position.

0 The sleeping bag assembly of this invention has the advantage that it can retain San infant in one position on the stable support.

I4. Thus, the infant can be maintained in the desired position rather than ending up in an undesired position, such as wedged against the foot or a side of a cot.

Further, the sleeping bag assembly of this invention can avoid the risk to health which arises when infants inadvertently burrow under blankets or other bedclothes during sleep.

S: in addition, the sleeping bag assembly of the invention need not necessarily keep an infant warm. For example, the sleeping bag assembly of the invention may be made of lightweight cotton material, if desired, with slits or apertures at the sides so that the arms of the infant may pass through. In this form, the sleeping bag assembly of the invention is still capable of securing the infant in a desired 001 position, as is illustrated in Figures 4 and It will also be appreciated that other variations are possible in the sleeping bag assembly of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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Claims (22)

1. A sleeping bag assembly including a bag having a head and a foot and including means for attaching the bag to a stable support.

2. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 1, wherein in use the bag is adapted to accommodate all of the body of an infant except for the infant's head.

3. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 2, in which the head of the bag includes a head piece-

4. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 3, wherein the head piece includes a pillow or padding. "o

5. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 3 or 4, wherein in use the head piece is adapted to enclose the head of the infant, exposing only the face of the .infant.

6. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, which includes one or more openings to facilitate insertion. 15

7. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 6, wherein there are two openings.

8. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 6 or 7, wherein one or more openings extend from the head of the bag to or towards the foot of the bag.

9. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each opening is closed by a means chosen from the group comprising sliding zip fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, press studs and ties.

The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stable support is chosen from the group comprising a cot, a bed, a perambulator, a vehicle seat and a shopping trolley.

11. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the attachment means include one or more tapes extending from the head of the bag.

12. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the attachment means includes a hood attached at or near the head of the big, the hood being adapted to embrace part of a mattress. snere\patent\camp'51S 9 .doc

13. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more two-part closures, the first part of each closure being attached to a portion of the bag which in use will contact the stable support and the second part of each closure being attached to the stable support.

14. The sleeping bag assembly of claim 13, wherein the first part of each closure is a hook or loop closure engageable with a loop or hook closure being the second part of each closure.

The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the So attachment means includes one or more tapes extending laterally of the bag.

16. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the attachment means includes one or more tapes extending from the foot of the bag.

17. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the foot of the bag includes means to allow the foot to be folded to decrease the length of the bag.

18- The sleeping bag assembly of claim 17, wherein the means comprise a flap at the foot of the bag and a plurality of closures adapted to close the flap to the bag in a selected one of a plurality of positions.

19. The 7'eeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the foot is divided into two branches so that in use each branch is adapted to accommodate a leg of an infant or person.

The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 19, which includes a 25 pair of shaped extensions, each extension in use being adapted to accommodate an arm of an infant or person.

21. The sleeping bag assembly of any one of claims 1 to 19, which has two cut away portions through each of which an arm of an infant or person may a protrude.

22. An sleeping bag assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 or Figures 4, 5 and 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings. lsevA\D1entscmp\8.doc Dated this day of October 1998 SARAH ANNE SILK By her Attorneys CHRYSILIOU MOORE MARTIN