GB2429400A - Adjustable sleeping apparatus, especially baby cot. - Google Patents

Abstract

FIGURE 1 shows a cot 1 having a mattress 2 which is adjustable in height in a few seconds on a parental command being entered into a control panel. The mattress 2 has been elevated (for example for nappy changing) by the mother M standing by the side of the cot from a lower position selected for the needs of the baby B. The cot 1 provides for the mattress 2 to be temporarily fixed at one of a number of fixed or variable positions in between the highest position and the lowest position according to the size of the baby. The cot 1 also includes a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the air in the cot 1 and a rocking the mechanism for rocking the cot 1 longitudinally. The cot 1 includes removable (and interchangeable) front and rear panels with D-shaped transparent viewing facility and curved end panels.

Description

1 2429400

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BABY CARE

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to baby care and is more particularly concerned with a baby sleeping apparatus or a baby cot.

Current baby cots are made to be a piece of furniture and, whilst styles and materials may vary, general concepts regarding baby care tend not to have progressed in line with the rest of technology. Certainly, there is a great deal of concern about cot deaths and how such disastrous events could be prevented. Analysis has been made regarding the most appropriate sleeping position for the baby and there have been improvements in mattress design to allow the baby to breathe more easily. Even so, parents are still very concerned about their baby's welfare and well- being particularly when sleeping. Whilst it is known to provide baby alarms and various monitoring devices in the same room as the baby to alert the parents as to the status of the baby so that the parents will know when the baby requires attention, it is believed that such apparatus and methods of baby care tend not to be as good, complete, or reliable as might otherwise be the case. Additionally, when a parent attends to a baby in a cot it S...

: tends to be disadvantageous that the parent has to stoop and bend over reaching deep S* * into the cot to lift the baby from the mattress near bottom of the cot since this can S..

S

: * cause back and stretching problems for the parent and more particularly, for example, *.SS * s** for mothers who have recently had a caesarean section or minor surgery after giving 55.5 birth, as bending puts pressure on the abdomen and causes discomfort. Even with the degree of monitoring currently available there are many cot deaths known as' sudden infant death syndrome' (SIDS) and it is believed that it should be possible to design a baby sleeping apparatus or cot that may be safer for the baby or more conducive to enable the baby to sleep or which will provide a more comfortable environment for the baby whilst sleeping and a greater level of re-assurance or control for parents.

Often, the baby may be too hot or too cold in the cot and introducing a sleeping baby into a cot with a cold mattress may wake or disturb the baby. During summer, the high ambient temperatures can cause discomfort, and baby overheating is believed to be a contributory factor to SIDS. Equally, it tends to be disadvantageous that even cots with a rocking facility for rocking the baby to sleep have to be operated manually by the parent when the parent judges this to be appropriate. Rocking is one of the simplest and most natural ways of easing a child to sleep, since babies grow accustomed to movement while in the womb. Additionally, it tends to be disadvantageous that other amenities for tending to the baby's needs are not immediately to hand near the cot. For example, the baby feed will normally be kept in the kitchen and changing mattresses and materials may be kept to one side of the cot on show. There may be many other disadvantages with cot design and it is believed that sleeping apparatus or cots for babies can be improved both for the baby * and for the parents in order to provide better care, safety and well- being for baby and : .: requiring less on hand maintenance from the parents. S... * S. * a S S...

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the S..

: aforementioned, or other, disadvantages associated with baby care or to provide an S...

improved sleeping apparatus/cot or safety or monitoring or care apparatus for a baby. S...

From one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sleeping apparatus or cot comprising a sleeping portion, such as a mattress, arrangeable, in use, at a first level within the apparatus/cot for the baby to sleep on, the sleeping portion being (automatically and/or readily) elevatable (preferably by electronic control) to a second level for more easily accessing the baby from the cot.

By this aspect of the present invention, it is envisaged that a parent will be able to raise the level of the sleeping portion/mattress to a more a suitable level for accessing the baby without bending or stooping awkwardly to reach deep into the cot to lift or attend to the baby.

Preferably, the level of sleeping portion/mattress may be raised by inputting a command signal to a programme controller, e.g. by pressing control keys on a control panel or by actuating the programme controller by voice or remote-control.

Preferably, the cot has a proximity control to detect the proximity of a parent to the cot and is, preferably such that, the sleeping portion/mattress can only be elevated by an authorised person (e.g. by entering a safety code) or on automatic detection of an adult. * ** * S S S.. I S... * S *SI.

: The sleeping portion/mattress may be height adjustable by means of linkages S...

* (preferably scissor linkages) preferably operated by chain actuators, preferably S.. a

: * located in a base of the cot or by a rack and pinion mechanism.. e.. a * *

From a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sleeping apparatus or cot comprising means for controlling environmental factors within the cot such as temperature and/or humidity.

Preferably, the cot is provided with sensors to automatically provide airconditioning (cooling or heating) according to sensing and evaluation of the environment of the room in which the cot is placed. Additionally or alternatively, heating or cooling may be manually operated.

The sleeping apparatus/cot may be provided with suitable airflow ducts for the air conditioning and/or a drip tray for collecting condensation.

By the second aspect of the present invention, embodiments may include a sleeping apparatus or cot able to monitor ambient temperature and/or baby parameters and to coo! or heat the environment within the sleeping apparatus/ cot according to preset information.

From a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a sleeping apparatus or cot comprising means for rocking the sleeping apparatus/cot about a longitudinal axis. S.

By this third aspect of the present invention, in use, the baby may be rocked from * head to toe rather than from side to side, preferably, by an upper rocking portion of * : the cot being rocked relative to a base. S..

S * S * . . I...

* ... The sleeping apparatus/ cot rocking means may include rollers or wheels on curved S...

guide rails,preferably operated via a cam linkage.

The rocking facility may be manually or automatically activated (preferably under computerised sensor control) and may or may not be motorised.

A lock may be provided to lock or unlock the rocking motion.

More generally, according to the present invention there is provided a sleeping apparatus or cot including a control means responsive to preprogrammed and/or sensor information and/or a parental command or action to vary the status of the sleeping apparatus/cot, to cater for a baby's needs.

Further according to the present invention there is provided control means for a smart cot and/or a method of automatically evaluating and catering for a baby's needs according to pre-programmed information and according to sensor information from sensors on the cot unattached to the baby's body.

Preferably, the sleeping apparatus/cot has video monitoring to allow observation of the baby and/or a remote control facility to allow the parent to influence the status of sleeping apparatus/cot (for example to rock the baby or cool the environment around * :* the baby) by any suitable means for example, via the Internet or smart house * *** environment control means. S... * *. * . S S...

* It is envisaged that any sensor information will be from sensors that are not actually S..

S

* located on the baby's body for comfort of the baby and convenience. * S. . S... S...

Further according to present invention there is provided an intelligent or smart cot, preferably having one or more of the following features;- a) facility for rocking a baby, preferably from head to toe (rather than from side to side) and preferably automatically in response to sensor information, e.g. when it is detected that the baby has been crying for a particular amount of time, and/or in response to a parental command (which could be voice activated or manually input on a control panel or activated by remote control), b) facility for raising the position of a baby within the cot, preferably in response to parental command input information (which could be voice activated or manually input on a control panel or activated by remote control) and/or automatically over time according to pre-programmed information to cater for the growth of the baby, c) facility for controlling the environment around the baby or cot e.g. to heat or cool the baby according to sensor input information and/or according to parental command information (which could be voice activated or manually input on a control panel or activated by remote control), d) facility for monitoring the baby for example via a video link that may be integrated into a smart home control means and for example viewed on a portable monitor, tv, laptop, pc over a Wi-Fi connection, or compatible mobile : telephone possibly on which temperature and sound information may be I * given, * ** S : e) a modular construction having at least a front panel with transparent viewing I...

* facility preferably carrying a control panel (that preferably may be used as a * : handle) * **I * * * * f) a base with a drawer and, preferably, with a light, * S 55 g) a humidifier (preferably consisting of a piezo-electric atomiser) that may be mounted in an end panel of the cot and connected to a de-ionised water container preferably located in a drawer of the cot, h) air filtration means, i) a pressure sensing device installed in a mattress of the base to sense to presence of a baby j) adjustment of the sleeping portion or mattress to a slight incline (automatically) e.g. to help relieve trapped wind k) linking the cot to a data logging facility to provide statistical information regarding a baby's health to e.g a care worker or for research purposes, I) means to vibrate the cot (preferably automatically) m) breathing simulation means to give the impression to the baby that it is in the arms of a parent, n) any feature or features derivable from this description and drawings.

The cot may have facility for sensing heart rate, temperature, breathing, movement, moisture levels, and environmental surroundings.

The cot may have the additional features of a changing area, equipment storage, or an * : : interactive area for babies with sight, smell, sound and touch stimulus.

* S. a * a S...

: An audio facility may be provided on the cot for example to sing' or lull the baby to **** sleep, for exaniple, while rocking the cot. *SS f. * . a. S * a,.

a. *5 By embodiments of the present invention, it is envisaged that a much greater level of care may be possible for the baby in the home environment and, additionally, it is believed that such a cot will be very useful in hospitals for babies that require a lot of attention but which may not be ill enough to be placed in an incubator with sensors attached to body of the baby; which sensors tend to create a level of discomfort for the baby.

Many other advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the

following description and drawings.

An embodiment of a sleeping apparatus/cot of the present invention, will now be described, by way of example and only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the sleeping apparatus/cot with mother standing at the side of a baby in the sleeping apparatus/cot; FIGURE 2 a diagrammatic sectional end view of the sleeping apparatus/ cot with a side view of the mother; * ,.

: .: FIGURE 3 shows an end view of the sleeping apparatus/ cot similar to FIGURE 2 but with a sleeping portion/mattress of the cot in a lowered position and a larger baby in a is..

standing position; *s. * S 4

FIGURE 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional perspective view of the sleeping apparatus/cot with some components missing for ease of illustration; FIGURE 5 shows a diagrammatic sectional perspective end view of the sleeping apparatus/cot exposing a sleeping portion/mattress raising linkage; FIGURE 6 shows a perspective view of a linkage itself, FIGURE 7 shows elevational views of the linkage; FIGURE 8 shows a diagrammatic view of a temperature control system of the sleeping apparatus/cot; FIGURE 9 shows sectional elevational views of the sleeping apparatus/cot including a cooling air flow diagram; FIGURE 10 shows sectional elevational views of the sleeping apparatus/cot including a heating air flow diagram; FIGURE II shows a detail of the temperature control system; FIGURE 12 shows a side view of the sleeping apparatus/cot indicating the rocking a..' * movement provided; a.. a..

S

* FIGURE 13 shows a more detailed sectional side view of the sleeping apparatus/cot a, S * *, with rocking mechanism; a...

FIGURE 13a shows a view of a rocking motor cam linkage; FIGURE 14 shows a front view of the cot; FIGURE 15 shows an exploded diagram of various parts of the sleeping apparatus /cot; FIGURES 16 and 17 show views of the base, and lower cradle and base assembly, of the sleeping apparatus/cot; FIGURE 18 shows a view of the control panel of the sleeping apparatus/cot and enlarged view of the control keys, FIGURES 19 shows the functions of controller means and control circuit respectively.

Referring to FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, a sleeping apparatus or cot I has a sleeping portion or mattress 2 which is adjustable in height in a few seconds on a :: :* parental command being entered into a control panel C (see FIGURE 19). Control panel C is centrally located on a front panel or wall P1 of the cot and also acts as a S...

* handle. On the rear of the control panel C is a webcam (not shown) for remote : * . monitoring of the baby B. **. S...

S S *.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the mattress 2 has been elevated by the mother M standing by the side of the cot to the level as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 from a lower position selected for the needs of the baby B. As the baby B grows it will be better for the baby to sleep at progressively lower levels in the cot so the baby does not fall out. FIGURE 3 shows a larger baby standing on the mattress 2, with the mattress in the lowest position. However, advantageously, the cot I provides for the mattress 2 to be temporarily fixed at one of a number of fixed or variable positions in between the highest position (see FIGURES 1 and 2) and the lowest position ( see FIGURE 3) according to the size of the baby.

In any event, advantageously, when a baby is sleeping in the cot I with the mattress 2 at a level lower than the uppermost level, the mother can raise the mattress to the uppermost level in order to access the baby easily (for example, for changing a nappy or for simply removing the baby from the cot for attention), simply by pushing control button/key Cl on control panel C and the UP chevron key C2. Thus, the mother M does not have to stoop or bend over in order to access the baby B. Conversely, once the mother has attended to the baby it can be placed on the mattress 2 whilst the mattress is at the uppermost level and it is a simple matter for the mother automatically to lower the mattress back down (using the DOWN chevron key C3) to * : :* a selected level appropriate for the baby to sleep. Additionally, the cot 1 has the * S..

* .,. inbuilt facility that the mattress will automatically lower to the pre-programmed : .. sleeping level when a parent moves away from the cot for a certain time period e.g. S...

six seconds. * S * S S S... S...

* . ..* It is believed that such a facility for raising and lowering the sleeping portion/mattress 2 on the cot 1 will greatly enhance the user-friendliness of the cot and alleviate potential back pain for the mother or other person attending the baby. Moreover, the sleeping portion/mattress 2 may be automatically set to be returned to a preset programmed height for the baby to sleep at according to its age or size. This preset programmed height may have been entered by the manufacturer or selected by the mother or parent. The cot may be intelligent so that it will automatically adjust the sleeping height of the mattress 2 over time according to a preset program to account for the growth of the baby. Of course, such a program may be modified by the mother or parent if need be.

Preferably, parental control facilities are built into the control panel to sense the presence of an adult and not allow operation by minor, simply by sensing the height of the parent.

FIGURES 5 to 7 illustrate the raising and lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the mattress 2 position on platform 3. The platform 3 is shaped to receive the mattress 2 so that the upper level 3a of the platform is at the same height as the upper surface 2a of the mattress 2. The raising and lowering mechanism has two scissor action linkages 4 (only one shown in the FIGURES) positioned at each end of . : the cot I. As will be evident from FIGURES 5 to 7, the scissor linkages 4 fit into the S...

spaces 5 (only one shown in FIGURE 4) at each end of the platform 3. The scissor : * : linkages 4 of the cot 1 have upper and lower pairs of brackets 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d fixed to the underside of the platform 3 and to an inner bottom wall of the cot 1 respectively.

: * : Brackets 4b, 4d are slider brackets having slots 4' b,4' d along which an end pin e I,e2 *SSS * .*" is constrained to move horizontally to the left in FIGURE 6, as the platform 3 is raised and the width of the scissor linkage 4 is reduced accordingly. An advantage of using scissor mechanisms is that the platform 3 will be kept level and the linkages can fit into a very small space. The scissor linkages 4 need to fit into a relatively small space at the curved end sections of the cot 1. Chain actuators (not shown but housed in lower cradle L of the cot 1) may be used to operate the scissor linkage 4 Advantageously, chain actuators can deliver a strong force over a linear distance and tend to have a stronger pulling force than pushing and thus it is envisaged that the pulling force will be used to raise the platform 3. The chain actuators may be coupled to a motor (not shown) operable under computensed control from the appropriate keys Cl, C2, C3 on the control panel C. The automatically height adjustable mattress 2 locks into preset sleeping positions with electronic shoot bolts (not shown) that project into the end walls P3, P4 to secure the sleeping height. A connecting bar (not shown) is provided to ensure that raising is synchronised and sturdy.

The platform 3 allows a standard sized mattress 2 to be used and eliminates finger traps around the side of the mattress by leaving a suitable gap (e.g. 10mm) around the mattress and the platform 3. * S. * . S *5. * * S..

Advantageously, the cot 1 includes a temperature control system (see FIGURES 4, 8 * : : :* to 11) for regulating the temperature of the air in the cot 1. A thermoelectric cooler 6 (see FIGURE 4) is located in a compartment or plenum chamber 7 underneath the mattress 2. The temperature is controlled using the thermoelectric cooler 6 (TEC) S...

*...* and forced convection, effectively creating a miniature airconditioning system. It is believed that a TEC is safer because it does not use refrigerants and is more reliable since no moving parts are provided. TEC's are simple and very compact and can be mounted in any particular orientation. Additionally, TEC's tend to be more costeffective in applications below 200W. An appropriate TEC is manufactured by Marlow Industries.

It is envisaged that the top of the cot I will be open rather than placing the baby in a closed box but the front, rear and end walls P1, P2, P3, P4 of the cot 1 being solid, rather than slatted so that, during cooling, cool air can be captured as it sinks to create a cool region in the bottom of the cot where baby will be situated.

Also, since the walls P1-P4 are flat topped a conventional nappy changing table (not shown) can placed on top of the cot to raise the height further if desired.

The air is circulated by two radial fans f (one shown in FIGUREIO and located underneath the mattress 2) advantageously, at about i03/hr each, which is sufficient to overcome the pressure drop of the system and provide acceptable air flow. As will be evident from FIGURE 4, the airconditioning system incorporates four separate air spaces which all interact with one another. The main space is the sleeping area 8 * : which is about 0.5m3. The space underneath the mattress 2 is divided substantially * ::: :* into two parts, namely plenum chamber 7, and chamber 10 with the TEC being : *. positioned on the dividing wall 11, creating a cold side and a hot side. As shown in **** FIGURE 9, the cool air is circulated around the cot I upwardly through ducts d in the : * : end panels (and through output grilles 9) and return air is drawn in through side gaps *. . . g, using the radial fans f. The cold side (see FIGURE 8) is where the heat is removed from the air and rejected into the hot side. The fourth space in consideration in the air-conditioning system is the room in which the cot I is placed. The main load on the cooling system is the heat added by natural convection circulating between the sleeping area 8 and the room. It is possible that the temperature of the room could reach around 32 degrees Celsius. FIGURE 8 shows diagrammatically the operation of the air-conditioning system in a cooling mode.

The TEC 6 may regulate the air temperature within the cot to about 18-21 degrees Celsius and may display the appropriate blanket tog rating on the control panel C. The TEC 6 may also be used for heating as well as cooling simply by reversing the polarity. However, heating will be largely ineffective because the warm air will lead out of the open top of the cot. This does not usually present a problem because of the effectiveness of blankets and baby sleeping bags and the warmth the baby can produce from its own body heat. Even so, by supplying warm air underneath the mattress 2 the warmth will permeate through the mattress using conduction so that the baby is not disturbed when it is put to bed. The warming process may take a considerable amount of time, depending upon the construction of the mattress, so the warming function should be activated (remotely) for some time before the baby is actually introduced into the cot I for sleeping. FIGURE 10 shows diagrammatically * : :* the heating airflow when the TEC 6 is in a heating mode. S... * . *...

: * . Condensation occurs when warm, humid air meets a cold surface and there may be S...

* some condensation that occurs on the TEC 6, on the cold side. Most TEC's are : . . supplied ready sealed with silicon or the like to prevent the condensation from S... *SSS

* . .. causing a short-circuit or corrosion. Thus, a drip tray 12 (see FIG URE ii) is provided to collect any condensation. The drip tray 12 should be large enough to hold any condensation that is produced during one day. If the circulation fans f run continuously the water in the drip tray 12 should evaporate naturally without any need to empty the tray. Alternatively, the condensation may be passed from the cold side to the hot side, where it will readily re-evaporate into the warm air stream and into the room. In order to achieve this, small holes (not shown) are provided at the lowest point on the segregating wall of the drip tray 12. In the cooling mode, the circulation fans f are blowing downwards, which will increase the pressure in the cold side, and encourage water to flow from the cold side to the hot side. The size of the holes must be large enough to allow water to pass through, but small enough not to prevent too much air passing through that will have a detrimental effect on efficiency.

FIGURES 12 to 14 show a rocking the mechanism for the cot 1. FIGURE 12 simply shows that the coti has an upper, rocking portion 13 able to rock in the direction of the arrows 14 longitudinally on the base 15 so that the baby may be rocked from head to toe, automatically under preprogrammed control (e.g. on sensing the baby crying), rather than rocking the baby from side to side. It is believed that they head to toe rocking action reduces the risk of the baby rolling over and that the automatic rocking mechanism will maintain the cot I rocking for a preset duration and speed. If desired, : :* the automatic rocking facility, arranged to be operated under pre- programmed control : : ::* may be omitted to reduce the overall cost of the cot, in which case, the cot may : *. simply be provided with a manually operated head to toe rocking action. Additionally, I...

a lock may be provided to lock and unlock the rocking action. The rocking action may : . . be activated by pressing control key C4 on the control panel C. * I S...

FIGURE 13 shows diagrammatically, the rocking mechanism 16 employed on the cot 1. Nylon v- groove wheels 70 with roller bearings run in an extruded aluminium curved guide rail 18, to provide an extremely smooth rocking motion. The v-groove should ensure stability both while rocking and when stationary. FIGURE 13a shows the rocking motor cam linkage 19. When the motor (not shown but located in base 15) for rocking the only rocking portion 13 relative to the base 15 is stopped, friction through the gearbox and the resistance of the motor when un-powered will ensure that rocking portion 13 does not rock or move unintentionally. The rocking motion is achieved by driving the offset cam I 9a directly from the motor linking on to the underside of the wheeled upper section that sits on the al uniinium track/guide rail 18.

The motor is controlled by a speed controller system that ensures it starts slowly, to avoid jerking the baby, and the speed is adjustable to suit the individual needs of each baby. The weight of the rocking portion will be approximately 60kg (including baby). The maximum speed of rocking will be 0. lmIs as any faster would shake the baby too much. A suitable motor is the mini monitor BC2000-24 MP.

FIGURE 15 shows an exploded view of the component parts of the cot 1 including the removable (and interchangeable) front and rear panels P1, P2 with D-shaped transparent viewing (polycarbonate window) facility, curved end panels P3, P4, lower * :* cradle L, lower front and rear panels P5, P6 and base 15. * I., * ,

: *. FIGURE 16 shows the base 15 with drawer iSa in an open position and FIGURE 17 shows the lower cradle L with drawer iSa ( having handle h) closed. The baby's feed * :. and other items for the baby can be stored in the drawer 1 5a which is provided with a I...

* night light (above the drawer) and central circular transparent window w on lower cradle L, to be able to see the contents of the drawer at night without disturbing the baby. Base 15 houses the guide rails 18 on which the wheels 70 on the lower cradle L locate.

The lower cradle L forms the main structure to which the walls P1-P4 attach.

Different features can be inbuilt into any of the walls P1-P4 walls yielding a modular structure for the cot I that can be built to suit different needs using appropriate functioning walls Pl-P4. If the front wall P1 is removed, the automatic sleeping portion/mattress 2 raising facility is de-activated for safety. Front panel P1 may be removed (breaking the control circuit for raising the mattress) for cleaning purposes.

FIGURE 18 shows the control panel C. In this embodiment, all cot functions are dependent upon a proximity sensor that can detect the presence of a parent. None of the cot features can be activated if the sensor cannot detect a parent standing immediately next to the cot. To operate any of the main functions it is necessary to press the appropriate key for threeseconds. Pressing the key again will activate the feature or pressing the chevron keys C2, C3 will access further features and settings.

The majority of the safety features will be controlled by a Siemens logic controller LOGO! EB as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 20. I.

: : : FIGURE 19 shows an overview of the programme control including control panel C and FIGURE 20 shows diagrammatically a view of a suitable controller such as the : . . Siemmens Logo! Logic controller used for intelligent control of the features of the cot. FIGURE 20 shows the layout of and, or and not gates that are used in the programming language to control various features. Certain constraints were implemented, e.g rocking was not wanted in conjunction with raising as it was deemed to be unsafe.

Apnoea sensors may be provided in the mattress linked into the intelligent cot's control system.

The cot I may have plug and play' devices, for example, a Moses basket for ages 0-4 months, different front, rear or end panels, a visual amusement mobile that can react to baby's sound or movement, low level drawer lighting and/or low level night light.

The cot will be made to meet BS standards, mainly BS EN 716 1996 Furniture- Children's cots and folding cots for domestic use. In the cot 1, 100mm height difference is left between the top of the cot and the uppermost position of the mattress 2 to prevent the baby from rolling off the cot and to alert the parent to lower the mattress to a safe level if the baby is left unattended at this height.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or generic term. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the cot, control *I,.

* apparatus, cot construction, air conditioning apparatus, rocking mechanism, sensor * * controls etc might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or : variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub- range within that :: . range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range.

Claims (43)

1. A sleeping apparatus or cot comprising a sleeping portion, such as a mattress, arrangeable, in use, at a first level within the apparatus/cot for the baby to sleep on, the sleeping portion being elevatable to a second level for more easily accessing the baby from the cot.

2. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim 1 in which the sleeping portion is automatically and/or readily elevatable to said second level.

3. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 in which the sleeping portion is elevatable by electronic control.

4. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim 3 in which the level of sleeping portion can be raised by inputting a command signal to a programme controller.

5. An apparatus! cot in which a command signal can be input to the programme controller by pressing control keys on a control panel or by actuating the programme controller by voice or remote-control.

6. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which has a proximity control to detect the proximity of a parent to the cot.

7. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims such that the sleeping portion can only be elevated by an authonsed person or on automatic detection of an adult.

8. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim 7 in which the sleeping portion can be elevated by an authorised person entering a safety code.

9. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeping portion is height adjustable by means of linkages.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the linkages are scissor linkages.

ii. An apparatus/cot as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 in which the linkages are operable by chain actuators.

12. An apparatus/cot as claimed in claim 11 in which the chain actuators are located in a base of the cot.

13. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of claims I to 8 in which the sleeping portion is height adjustable by a rack and pinion mechanism.

14. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim I in which the elevatable sleeping portion is substantially as shown in FIGURES 1 to 3, 5 to 7 and 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A sleeping apparatus or cot comprising means for controlling environmental factors within the cot such as temperature and/or humidity.

16. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in claim 15 provided with sensors to automatically provide air-conditioning according to sensing and evaluation of the environment of the room in which the sleeping apparatus/cot is placed.

17. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in claim 15 or 16 having a manually operable heating or cooling system.

18. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 provided with airflow ducts for the air conditioning.

19. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 having a drip tray for collecting condensation.

20. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 able to monitor ambient temperature and/or baby parameters and to cool or heat the environment within the sleeping apparatus! cot according to preset information.

21. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim 15 in which the means for controlling environmental factors is substantially as shown in FIGURES 4, 8 to 10, 11, and 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A sleeping apparatus or cot comprising means for rocking the sleeping apparatus/cot about a longitudinal axis.

23. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in claim 22 comprising means for rocking a baby from head to toe by an upper rocking portion of the cot being rocked relative to a base.

24. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23 in which the means for rocking has rollers or wheels on curved guide rails.

25. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in claim 24 in which the rollers or wheels are operated via a cain linkage.

26. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25 in which the rocking means is manually activatable.

27. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26 in which the rocking means is automatically activatable.

28. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in claim 27 in which the rocking means is motonsed and activatable under computensed sensor control.

29. A sleeping apparatus or cot as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 28 in which a lock is provided to lock or unlock the rocking motion.

30. An apparatus/cot as claimed in Claim 22 in which the means for rocking is substantially as shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A sleeping apparatus or cot including a control means responsive to pre- programmed and/or sensor information and/or a parental command or action to vary the status of the sleeping apparatus/cot, to cater for a baby's needs.

32. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having video monitoring to allow observation of the baby.

33. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a remote control facility to allow a parent to influence the status of the sleeping apparatus/cot..

34. An apparatus/cot as claimed in claim 33 in which the remote control facility allows a parent to influence the status of the sleeping apparatus/cot via the Internet or smart house environment control means.

35. An intelligent or smart cot, preferably having one or more of the following features;- a) facility for rocking a baby, preferably from head to toe (rather than from side to side) and preferably automatically in response to sensor information, e.g. when it is detected that the baby has been crying for a particular amount of time, and/or in response to a parental command (which could be voice activated or manually input on a control panel or activated by remote control), b) facility for raising the position of a baby within the cot, preferably in response to parental command input information (which could be voice activated or manually input on a control panel or activated by remote control) andlor automatically over time according to pre-programmed information to cater for the growth of the baby, c) facility for controlling the environment around the baby or cot e.g. to heat or cool the baby according to sensor input information andlor according to parental command information (which could be voice activated or manually input on a control panel or activated by remote control), d) facility for monitoring the baby for example via a video link that may be integrated into a smart home control means and for example viewed on a portable monitor, tv, laptop, pc over a Wi-Fi connection, or compatible mobile telephone possibly on which temperature and sound information may be given, e) a modular construction having at least a front panel with transparent viewing facility preferably carrying a control panel (that preferably may be used as a handle) f) a base with a drawer and, preferably, with a light, g) a humidifier (preferably consisting of a piezo-electric atomiser) that may be mounted in an end panel of the cot and connected to a de-ionised water container preferably located in a drawer of the cot, h) air filtration means, i) a pressure sensing device installed in a mattress of the base to sense to presence of a baby j) adjustment of the sleeping portion or mattress to a slight incline (automatically) e.g. to help relieve trapped wind k) linking the cot to a data logging facility to provide statistical information regarding a baby's health to e.g a care worker or for research purposes, 1) means to vibrate the cot (preferably automatically) m) breathing simulation means to give the impression to the baby that it is in the arms of a parent, n) any feature or features derivable from this description and drawings.

36. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having facility for one or more of the following:- sensing heart rate, temperature, breathing, movement, moisture levels, and environmental surroundings.

37. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having one or more of the following:- a changing area, equipment storage, or an interactive area for babies with sight, smell, sound and touch stimulus.

38. An apparatus/cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having an audio facility provided, for example, to sing' or lull the baby to sleep.

39. An apparatus/cot as claimed in claim 38 which the audio facility is operable whilst rocking the cot.

40. A sleeping apparatus or cot substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.

41. A control means for a smart cot and/or a method of automatically evaluating and catering for a baby's needs according to pre-programmed information and according to sensor information from sensors on the cot unattached to the baby's body.

42. A control means as claimed in claim 41 and substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 18 of the accompanying drawings.

43. A method as claimed in claim 41 and substantially as herein described.