CA2856236A1

CA2856236A1 - Radio frequency shield for sleeping enclosure

Info

Publication number: CA2856236A1
Application number: CA2856236A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jason C. Wiens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-09
Filing date: 2014-07-09
Publication date: 2016-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-09
Also published as: CA2856236C

Abstract

There is described an electromagnetic shield for a sleeping enclosure. The shield includes a bottom protector, a side protector, and a top protector, all adapted for attachment to the sleeping enclosure and for shielding the interior space of the sleeping enclosure from electromagnetic radiation, in particular RF radiation, entering the interior space through the bottom, side walls and top of the sleeping enclosure.

Description

RADIO FREQUENCY SHIELD FOR SLEEPING ENCLOSURE
FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to an assembly that provides substantial shielding from electromagnetic radiation, in particular radio frequency (RF) radiation, for the interior of a sleeping enclosure, such as an infant's crib.
BACKGROUND

[0002] There is an ongoing concern about the side effects of long term exposure to electromagnetic radiation and in particular such radiation in the RF range, even at minuscule power levels. These effects are constantly under study. While there are mixed conclusions as too how much exposure is necessary to cause negative effects, one thing is certain, less exposure to RF is better.

[0003] Body mass is a key variable in the calculation of one's "specific absorption rate" (SAR) for RF. For a given RF exposure, more harm is done to someone with less body mass. In today's 24/7 wireless environment, a person is constantly being exposed to RF right from birth. The effects of this constant, long term exposure to RF
will not be fully known until today's infants become adults.

[0004] More than half of an infant's life is spent sleeping, usually inside the same sleeping enclosure, such as a crib structure. If it was possible to shield and/or absorb most of the RE before it enters the sleeping enclosure, thereby making the interior of the sleeping enclosure an RF-free zone, we could eliminate or significantly reduce any potential harm that might be caused to a child from this RF radiation.

[0005] One solution to this problem is described in International Published Application No. WO 2009/091345, which discloses textile products such as mattresses, comforters and pillows made of fabric that has shielding properties to decrease the electromagnetic field effect emitted by devices such as cellular phones, computers, radios, televisions and the like. The problem with this solution is that it does not provide an interior space that is free from RF radiation. For infants, it is impossible to keep them enclosed in such covering materials, which are considered a suffocation hazard. Moreover, in warm conditions, it is impractical to keep anyone covered in blankets.

[0006] Another solution is provided in German published application No.
DE202004018408, which describes a protective shield against electric fields for a person lying between a duvet and a base. The solution provides an upper electrically conductive fabric and a lower electrically conductive fabric and an electrical connection between the two fabrics. Similar problems are associated with this solution as are noted above for WO 2009/091345. There is no interior space provided that is free from RF
radiation. It is impossible to keep infants enclosed in such covering materials, since the blankets become a suffocation hazard, and in warm conditions it is impractical to keep anyone covered in blankets at all times.

[0007] A further solution is provided by Japanese published application No.
JP20022387009, which describes an electromagnetic protection sheet, somewhat like mosquito netting, forming a ceiling and a floor section and two wall sections to enclose a sleeping structure. The ceiling section is formed into a barrel shape to create a sleeping space. However, two large openings along a front and side wall of the sleeping enclosure are left unprotected from electromagnetic radiation, thus requiring that the sleeping structure be strategically oriented with respect to sources of electromagnetic radiation so as to maximize protection. The design is also is not styled for an infant's sleeping structure and would look out of place in a child's room. Parents are more comfortable with a child in a sleeping enclosure having an open top for purposes of safety and easy removal of the child when necessary.

[0008] None of the above solutions to the problem of protecting infants from electromagnetic radiation, such as RF radiation, are suitably adapted for use with an infant's sleeping structure. Providing a design that is suited for an infant's sleeping enclosure will not only improve safety, it will provide better shielding and be more aesthetically pleasing.
SUMMARY

[0009] The present radio frequency shield for a sleeping enclosure addresses some of the shortcomings of the prior art and provides a new way to safely and economically provide RF shielding for the interior space of a sleeping enclosure.

[0010] Accordingly then, in one aspect, there is provided, an electromagnetic shield for a sleeping enclosure, the sleeping enclosure comprising a frame having a bottom and side walls extending upward from the bottom to a top rail creating an interior space having an open top, the shield comprising: a bottom protector, adapted for covering the bottom of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the bottom of the sleeping enclosure; a side protector, adapted for attachment to the sleeping enclosure so as to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the side walls of the sleeping enclosure; and a top protector, adapted for placement over the open top of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space from above the sleeping enclosure.

[0011] In further aspects, the electromagnetic shield includes at least one top rail protector for connection to the top rail of the sleeping enclosure for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the top rail of the sleeping enclosure. The shield is generally constructed using a radio frequency shielding material having a minimum attenuation of 99% of radiated power at frequencies below 1 GHz and a minimum attenuation of 90% of radiated power at frequencies below 5 GHz.
The shielding material is a cloth-like material that is conductive, breathable, hypoallergenic and inflammable and for the top and side protectors the shield material should be transparent to permit parents to observe children within the sleeping enclosure. The bottom protector may be constructed to include a top opening fitted with elastic so that the bottom protector may be securely attached to a mattress covering the bottom of the sleeping enclosure. The bottom protector may also include means for attaching the bottom protector to the side protector such as by a VELCROTM hook and loop system, zipper, buttons, cloth ties, snaps, or the like. The side protector may be attached to the top rail of the sleeping enclosure using top ties and the side protector is then allowed to hang down on all sides of the sleeping enclosure so as to overlap with the bottom protector. The side protector may include means for attaching the side protector to the bottom protector, such as by a VELCROTM hook and loop system, zippers, buttons, cloth ties, snaps, or the like. The side protector may include means for attaching the side protector to the top rail protector such as by a VELCROTM hook and loop system, zippers, buttons, cloth ties, snaps, or the like. The side protector may include means for connecting a first end of the side protector to a second opposite end of the side protector to thereby permit the side protector to be wrapped around the sides of the sleeping enclosure and securely sealed to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation. These connecting means may also be used for connecting an end of the side protector to an end of another side protector to thereby permit two or more side protectors to be joined together for installation on the sleeping enclosure. The connecting means used to connect a side protector to itself or for connecting one side protector to another side protector may be a VELCROTM hook and loop system, zippers, buttons, cloth ties, snaps, or the like. The side protector may include a pass-through opening to allow access to the interior space without having to remove the side protector from the sleeping enclosure and the pass-through opening may have a closure flap to cover the opening when not in use. The top protector may include a hinged portion so that it may be opened to permit easy access to the interior space. Further, the top protector is advantageously constructed of multiple, interconnected, lightweight tubes that are easy to dismantle for convenient portable transportation.

[0012] In another aspect, there is provided a sleeping enclosure comprising: a frame having a bottom and side walls extending upward from the bottom to a top rail creating an interior space having an open top; an electromagnetic shield for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation, the shield comprising: a bottom protector covering the bottom of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the bottom of the sleeping enclosure; a side protector attached to the sleeping enclosure for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the side walls of the sleeping enclosure; and a top protector for placement over the open top of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space from above the sleeping enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the radio frequency shield for a sleeping enclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the radio frequency shield for a sleeping enclosure as described herein;

[0015] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the radio frequency shield for a sleeping enclosure with a hinged top protector or cover in the raised-up position to provide access to the interior space;

[0016] Figure 3 shows the top protector or cover in isolation;

[0017] Figure 4 shows two side rail protector sheets for attachment to the side walls of the sleeping enclosure and for connection to the mattress underlay of Figure 5;

[0018] Figure 5 shows a mattress underlay or bottom protector for placement under the mattress of the sleeping enclosure such as an infant's crib; and

[0019] Figure 6 shows two top rail protectors for the sleeping enclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figures 1 and 2, illustrate one embodiment of the applicant's RF shield 10 suitably installed on a sleeping enclosure 12. The sleeping enclosure 12 typically includes a bottom frame 14 on which a mattress 17 may be located. Side walls 15 extend upward from the frame 14 to a top rail 16 and surround the mattress 17 on all sides forming an interior space 18. The side walls 15 are constructed in such a manner and are of sufficient height so as to keep an infant located within the interior space 18 from falling or climbing out of the sleeping enclosure 12. Side walls 15 may be solid or constructed from individual slats or rails as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sleeping enclosure 12 may be supported on legs 19, which is typical for a standard crib used by infants for sleeping.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the applicant's RF shield 10 includes a bottom protector or underlay sheet 20 (also shown in Figure 5), side protector or side rail attachment sheets 30 (also shown in Figure 4), and may include a top protector or top cover 40 (also shown in Figure 3). In addition, top rail protectors 50 (shown in Figure 6) may be used to cover any gap that might exist between top protector 40 and side protectors 30. The bottom, side, top and rail protectors 20, 30, 40 and 50, respectively, are made from RF
shielding material 22 having a minimum attenuation of 99% of radiated power at frequencies below 1 GHz and a minimum attenuation of 90% of radiated power at frequencies below 5 GHz. The RF shielding material 22 used to make the bottom, side, top, and rail protectors of the RF shield 10 may be made from a cloth-like material that is conductive, breathable, hypoallergenic and inflammable, woven from a combination of cotton and extremely thin silver coated copper wires. The RF shielding material 22 used to make side protector 30 and top protector 40 may also be transparent to a degree sufficient to allow infants or other objects inside the sleeping enclosure 12 to be visible from the outside when the RF shield 10 is attached to the sleeping enclosure 12. Advantageously, the RF shielding material 22 is made to be washable in a standard residential automatic laundry machine.

[0022] Suitable RF shielding material 22 for construction of the bottom, side, top, and rail protectors 20, 30, 40 and 50 is available from Less EMF Inc., located in Latham, New York, USA, and is sold under the trademarks SWISSSHIELDTM , DAYLITETm, and OKEO-TEX 100Tm.

[0023] The bottom protector 20, as shown in Figure 5, may be a flat sheet of RF
shielding material 22 that fits under the mattress 17 and is held in place by the weight of the mattress itself, or it may be made into a fitted sheet, with an elastic top opening so that it may be securely fitted around the top or bottom of the mattress 17 like a typical fitted sheet.
The bottom protector 20 may include a narrow strip of VELCROTM hooks 24 affixed to the outside edges to facilitate attachment to corresponding strips of VELCROTM
loops 34 affixed to the bottom and top edges of the side protectors 30 (as shown in Figure 4).
The bottom protector 20 is placed on or under the mattress 17 to shield the entire bottom of the sleeping enclosure 12 from electromagnetic radiation, in particular RF radiation, entering the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12 from the bottom.

[0024] The side protector sheets 30, as shown in Figure 4, are constructed from sheets of RF shielding material 22 and are configured for attachment the side walls 15 of the sleeping enclosure 12 in such a manner so as to completely surround the sleeping enclosure 12 and shield the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12 from electromagnetic radiation, in particular RF radiation, entering the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12 through the side walls 15. The side protector sheets 30 may be attached to the top of the railings 16 using top ties 32 and allowed to hang down on all sides of the sleeping enclosure 12 so as to overlap with the bottom protector sheet 20, providing complete side and bottom protective RF shielding to the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12. The side protector sheets 30 may be attached to the bottom protector 20 using any known manner of attachment, such as buttons, zippers, snap connectors, a VELCROTM hook and loops system, or the like. Figure 4 shows the side protectors 30 having narrow strips of VELCROTM loops 34 attached to both the top and bottom edges to facilitate connection to corresponding strips of VELCROTM hooks 24 on the bottom protector 20, and to similar corresponding strips of VELCROTM hooks 54 on top rail protectors 50 as shown in Figure 6.

[0025] In another manner of attachment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side protector sheets 30 may be weaved in and out through the side railings 15 of the sleeping enclosure 12 in such a manner that they are secured to the sleeping enclosure 12 and completely surround the sleeping enclosure 12 from top to bottom, overlapping the bottom protector 20 to facilitate attachment thereto as described above. The top ties 32 may also be secured to top rails 16 in this alternate manner of attachment to the sleeping enclosure 12 to further secure the side protector sheets 30 to the sleeping enclosure 12.

[0026] The side protector sheets 30 may also include short strips of VELCROTM
hooks 36 on the inside of the top and bottom edges on at least one end, to permit a single sheet to be wrapped around the sleeping enclosure 12 and secured to the loops 34 on the opposite end to provide complete side coverage for the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12. Hooks 36 would also permit two or more side protector sheets 30 to be joined together by connecting hooks 36 of one side protector sheet 30 to loops 34 of a second side protector sheet 30. Attaching together opposite ends of a single side protector sheet 30 or linking together multiple side protector sheets 30 may be accomplished by any other suitable manner of connection, such as by zippers, buttons, snap connectors, or the like.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pass-through opening 38 may be provided in one of the side protector sheets 30 near the bottom, close to mattress 17, to allow articles to be passed through into and out of the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12, or to allow for the entry of electrical cords to run monitors or breathing apparatus, if necessary.
The opening 38 may have a closure flap 39 to cover the opening 38 when not in use. The flap 39 may be secured to the side protector sheet 30 using a zipper, buttons, snaps, a VELCROTM hook and loop system, or the like.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, rail protectors 50 are made from RF shielding material 22 and are sized to wrap around the top rail of the sleeping enclosure 12 (not shown) on both the long and short sides for attachment to the side protectors 30. Strips of VELCROTM
hooks 54 are attached to the inside edges of the rail protectors 50 to facilitate secure connection to the loops 34 of the side protectors 30. Other means of attaching the rail protectors 50 to the side protectors 30 and to the sleeping enclosure 12 are contemplated by the applicant, such as by buttons, snaps, zippers, ties, or the like.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the top protector 40 is sized to cover the top of the sleeping enclosure 12 and be large enough so that it would be impossible for it to fall into the sleeping enclosure. The top protector 40 provides shielding against electromagnetic radiation, in particular RF radiation, from entering the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12 from above. The top protector 40 is made of a lightweight conductive frame 42, covered with the conductive RF shielding material 22. The conductive RF shielding material 22 is preferably transparent, breathable, and fire retardant. As shown in Figure 1, the top protector 40 should rest on the edges of the sleeping enclosure 12 so that there is an overlap with the side protector 30 and the bottom protector 20. As shown in Figure 2, the frame 42 of the top cover 40 may be a two-piece construction joined by hinges 46 so that a top portion 45 of the top protector 40 may be easily swung open to permit access to the sleeping enclosure 12. The top protector 40 may also be designed for attachment to one or more ends or sides of the sleeping enclosure 12 using hinges or some other convenient means of connection. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, top ties 32 of the side protector sheets 30 may be used to secure the top protector 40 to the top rail 16 of the sleeping enclosure 12. Advantageously, the frame 42 is made of lightweight, inter-connectable, tube segments that may be easily dismantled for convenient portable transportation and storage.

[0030] Applicant has found that even if top protector 40 is not used, the combination of bottom protector 20 and side protectors 30 provides a substantial reduction in the amount of electromagnetic radiation reaching the interior space 18 of the sleeping enclosure 12.
Moreover, the applicant's RF shield 10 as described herein, does not require that any of the protector sheets 20, 30, 40 or 50 be grounded.

[0031] Another advantage of the applicant's RF shield 10 is that since all of the protector sheets 20, 30, 40 and 50, are made from lightweight conductive RF
shielding material 22, and the frame 42 of the top cover 40 is lightweight and may be disassembled, the entire assembly may be folded up and packed into a small carrying bag for travel and attachment to another sleeping enclosure 12 at a remote location.

[0032] The previous detailed description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the applicant's RF shield for a sleeping enclosure.
Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the applicant's RF shield for a sleeping enclosure described herein. Thus, the present RF shield for a sleeping enclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims.
Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic shield for a sleeping enclosure, the sleeping enclosure comprising a frame having a bottom and side walls extending upward from the bottom to a top rail creating an interior space having an open top, the shield comprising:
a bottom protector, adapted for covering the bottom of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the bottom of the sleeping enclosure;
a side protector, adapted for attachment to the sleeping enclosure so as to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the side walls of the sleeping enclosure; and a top protector, adapted for placement over the open top of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space from above the sleeping enclosure.

2. The electromagnetic shield of claim 1, further including at least one top rail protector adapted for connection to the top rail of the sleeping enclosure for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the top rail of the sleeping enclosure.

3. The electromagnetic shield of claim 1 or 2, wherein the shield is constructed using a radio frequency shielding material having a minimum attenuation of 99% of radiated power at frequencies below 1 GHz and a minimum attenuation of 90% of radiated power at frequencies below 5 GHz.

4. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shielding material is a cloth-like material that is conductive, breathable, hypoallergenic and inflammable.

5. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shielding material used for construction of the top and side protectors is transparent.

6. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bottom protector includes a top opening fitted with elastic so that the bottom protector may be securely attached to a mattress covering the bottom of the sleeping enclosure.

7. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bottom protector includes means for attaching the bottom protector to the side protector.

8. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the side protector is attachable to the top rail of the sleeping enclosure using top ties and the side protector is allowed to hang down on all sides of the sleeping enclosure so as to overlap with the bottom protector.

9. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the side protector includes means for attaching the side protector to the bottom protector.

10. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the side protector includes means for attaching the side protector to the top rail protector.

11. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the side protector includes means for connecting a first end of the side protector to a second opposite end of the side protector to thereby permit the side protector to be wrapped around the sides of the sleeping enclosure and securely sealed to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation.

12. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the side protector includes means for connecting an end of the side protector to an end of another side protector to thereby permit two or more side protectors to be joined together for installation on the sleeping enclosure.

13. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the side protector includes a pass-through opening to allow access to the interior space without having to remove the side protector from the sleeping enclosure.

14. The electromagnetic shield of claim 13, wherein the pass-through opening includes a closure flap to cover the pass-through opening when not in use.

15. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the top protector includes a hinged portion that may be opened to permit easy access to the interior space.

16. The electromagnetic shield of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the top protector is constructed of multiple, lightweight, interconnected tubes that are easy to dismantle for convenient portable transportation.

17. A sleeping enclosure comprising:
a frame having a bottom and side walls extending upward from the bottom to a top rail creating an interior space having an open top;
an electromagnetic shield for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation, the shield comprising:
a bottom protector covering the bottom of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the bottom of the sleeping enclosure;
a side protector attached to the sleeping enclosure for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the side walls of the sleeping enclosure; and a top protector for placement over the open top of the sleeping enclosure to shield the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space from above the sleeping enclosure.

18. The sleeping enclosure of claim 17, further including at least one top rail protector connected to the top rail of the sleeping enclosure for shielding the interior space from electromagnetic radiation entering the interior space through the top rail of the sleeping enclosure.

19. The sleeping enclosure of claim 17 or 18, wherein the shield is constructed using a radio frequency shielding material having a minimum attenuation of 99% of radiated power at frequencies below 1 GHz and a minimum attenuation of 90% of radiated power at frequencies below 5 GHz.

20. The sleeping enclosure of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the shielding material is a cloth-like material that is conductive, breathable, hypoallergenic and inflammable.

21. The sleeping enclosure of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the shielding material used for construction of the top and side protectors is transparent.