IE20000371A1 - A baby support mat - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby support mat is provided comprising an enlarged ledge (3) which is inflatable and when deflated, lies flat, which enlarged ledge (3) is connected to a support base sheet (2) which has a plurality of perforations (8) therein. The ledge (3) will prevent a baby falling off a couch, chair or bed. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to an infant safety apparatus and in particular to a multipurpose baby support mat.

It is known that when babies are placed on a flat surface such as for example, a bed or couch when changing napkins or clothing, it is not unknown for the baby to roll off the surface. This can equally apply when they are resting as babies, particularly while sleeping, have a tendency to roll over and as they get slightly older and stop being totally immobile, their natural tendency is to move about. This has been the cause of many an accident.

There is a need for a support mat that would prevent babies rolling off such surfaces. ««/There is also a need for a baby mat that can be used as a changing surface or the - ike or indeed also for the carrying of accessories for children such as their changing nappies, toys and the like.

A particularly complex arrangement of such a support mat is illustrated in Patent ISpecification No. WO 93/14678.

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The present invention is directed towards providing such a baby support mat.

Statements of Invention According to the invention, there is provided a baby support mat of the type comprising a support base sheet and an elongate enlarged ledge along one edge 0 thereof characterised in that the support mat is formed from the one flat sheet having at least one peripheral portion which can be formed into the ledge and the remainder of which forms the support base sheet.

Ideally, the peripheral portion is inflatable and further the support base sheet has a - 2 IE000371 plurality of perforations.

In one embodiment of the invention, the baby support mat has a peripheral portion that can be brought back on itself to form the ledge and in which releasable securement means are provided on the peripheral portion to secure the ledge in position. In this latter embodiment, there may be provided a pillow about which the peripheral portion is led to form the ledge, which pillow may be releasably connected to the peripheral portion.

In another embodiment of the invention, the peripheral portion comprises a flexible panel of sufficient rigidity to be self supporting when rolled back on itself to form a ledge substantially circular in cross section or alternatively, the peripheral portion comprises three substantially rigid panels connected together by a flexible sheet hinge portion and in which the releasable securement means is on the upper surface of the sheet to engage the outermost panel so that the panels form with the sheet therebelow a ledge triangular in cross section.

In one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral portion comprises two panels, namely, an outer substantially rigid panel and an inner flexible panel of sufficient rigidity to be self supporting when bent into an arcuate shape, the inner panel being larger than the outer panel and the panels being connected together by a flexible sheet hinge portion and in which the releasable securement means'ls on the lower surface of the sheet at a distance from the inner panel equal to the width of the outer panel.

It is envisaged that an alternative support may be provided of a rigid material within the ledge having a cross-sectional area substantially the same as that of the interior of the ledge. This internal support may comprise a pair of end caps for insertion into each exposed end face of the ledge. The releasable securement means will be of the hook and eye type such as sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO.

There may also be provided two substantially parallel peripheral portions for forming two spaced-apart ledges. The sheet may be an inflatable sheet and further, there may be provided ties for securing the mat to a support structure. - 3 IE000371 Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a baby support mat according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the support mat; Fig. 3 is a side view of the support mat; •-X.

Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the support mat prior to assembly; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a further construction of baby support mat according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a view of the support mat of Fig. 5 in a partially assembled position; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the formation of the support mat of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a view of the support mat of Fig. 5 totally laid out; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a still further construction of support mat according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the support mat of Fig. 9 partially assembled; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the support mat of Fig. 9 laid out prior to being assembled; Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the support mat of Fig. 8; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a still further construction of support mat - 4 IE000371 according to the invention; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the support mat of Fig. 13 partiallyassembled; Fig. 15 is a plan view of the support mat of Fig. 13 prior to assembly; Fig. 16 is an exploded view of the support mat of Fig. 13; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a still further construction of support mat according to the invention; Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the support mat of Fig. 17 immediately prior to assembly; and Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another support mat.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, there is provided a baby support mat indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which baby support mat 1 comprises a support base sheet 2 and an elongated enlarged ledge 3 along one edge of the support mat 1. The support mat 1 is formed from a flat sheet 5 having a peripheral portion 6 carrying a one-way valve 7. The peripheral portion 6 is of sealed double skin construction and, on inflation, will form the ledge 3. The flat sheet 5 further has a plurality of perforations 8 which form holes in the support base sheet 2. It will be appreciated that in the deflated state, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the flat sheet 5 can be rolled or folded so as to be conveniently carried from place to place. The advantage of the perforations 8 is that when the support mat 1 is manufactured from a plastics material, it will not be too hot for a child and further, the perforations 8 will ensure that if a child or baby is lying on its face on the support mat 1, it will be able to breath comfortably.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, there is provided a baby support mat indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 which is formed by a flat sheet 11 folded back on itself about three rigid support panels 12, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, to form three rigid walls connected by flexible hinge portions formed by the sheet 11. The IE000371 - 5 portion of the sheet 11 encompassing the panel 12 forms the peripheral portion identified by the reference numeral 16 and then the ledge is identified by the reference numeral 17. Strips of VELCRO are provided to form releasable securement means 13. These can be clearly seen in Fig. 8. To assemble the baby support mat 10, as can be seen from Fig. 6, the panels 12 are folded back on the themselves and the releasable securement means 13, namely, the strips of VELCRO, are connected together so that the baby support mat 10 is assembled as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, there is illustrated a still further construction of baby support mat, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, again formed from a sheet of material 21, having a peripheral portion 22 on which is mounted a rigid panel 23 and again, releasable securement means 24 are provided by VELCRO. When rolled back on itself, there is formed a ledge, identified by the reference numeral 25. It will be appreciated that without the use of panels 23, a pillow could be used and the peripheral portion 22 of the sheet, rolled around the pillow to form the ledge. Further, it will be appreciated that the pillow could be releasably connected to the peripheral portion 22.

Referring now to Figs. 13 to 16, there is illustrated a still further construction of baby support mat, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, having a ledge 31 formed from a flat sheet of material 32 having a peripheral portion 33. The peripheral portion 33 incorporates two panels, namely, an outer substantially rigid panel 34 and an inner flexible panel 35 of sufficient rigidity to be self-supporting when bent into an arcuate shape. The inner panel 35 is larger than the outer panel 34 and is connected thereto by a flexible hinge 36. The inner panel 35 also carries a lip 37 connected thereto by a further hinge 38. Releasable securement means 39 is carried on the lip 37 and on the sheet 32. It will be clearly seen from the drawings how the ledge 31 can be formed.

Referring now to Figs. 17 and 18, there is illustrated a still further construction of baby support mat, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, having a ledge, indicated generally by the reference numeral 41, which ledge is formed from rolling a peripheral portion 42 of a sheet 43 about itself and in which there is provided internal IE000371 - 6 supports formed from end caps 44 of a suitable rigid material. It will be appreciated that with the end caps 44 removed, the support mat 40 may be flattened. Very often, in this latter embodiment, a pillow or the like will be placed inside the ledge 41 and the pillow might be secured thereto by releasable securement means.

Referring now to Fig. 19, there is illustrated an alternative construction of support mat, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, which is of substantially the same construction as the support mat 1 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, except there are now two ledges 3 and there is also provided ties 51 for connecting the support mat to a structure. It will be appreciated that the baby support mat 50 is particularly suitable for use with a bed which is open on both sides. The ties 51 could be used to secure the support mat 50 to the bed frame and the ledges 3 at each side prevent the infant from rolling off the bed.

It will be appreciated that the baby support mat according to the present invention may be used not just simply to support a baby when lying on a couch, table or even on a bed to prevent the child rolling off but may also be used as a changing mat. It is also envisaged that by the suitable use of VELCRO and the configuration of the mat that it may be used to form a carrying bag, or indeed any other useful means for supporting childrens’ clothes, toys and the like.

In the specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” or any variation thereof and the terms “include, includes, included and including” or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.

IE000371

Claims (15)

1. A baby support mat of the type comprising a support base sheet (2) and an elongate enlarged ledge (3) along one edge thereof characterised in that the support mat (1) is formed from the one flat sheet (5) having at least one peripheral portion (6) which can be formed into the ledge (3) and the remainder of which forms the support base sheet (2).

2. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 1, in which the peripheral portion (6) is inflatable.

3. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the support base sheet (2) has a plurality of perforations (8) therein.

4. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 1, in which the peripheral portion (16) can be brought back on itself to form the ledge (17) and in which releasable securement means (13) are provided on the peripheral portion (16) to secure the ledge (17) in position.

5. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 4, in which there is provided a pillow about which the peripheral portion (16) is led to form the ledge (17).

6. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the pillow is releasably connected to the peripheral portion (16).

7. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 4, in which the peripheral portion (22) comprises a flexible panel (23) of sufficient rigidity to be self supporting when rolled back on itself to form a ledge (25) substantially circular in cross section.

8. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 4, in which the peripheral portion (16) comprises three substantially rigid panels (12) connected together by a flexible sheet hinge portion and in which the releasable securement means (13) is on the upper surface of the sheet (11) to engage the outermost panel (12) so that the panels (12) form with the sheet (11) therebelow a ledge IE000371 triangular in cross section.

9. A base support mat as claimed in any of claim 4, in which the peripheral portion (33) comprises two panels, namely, an outer substantially rigid panel (34) and an inner flexible panel (35) of sufficient rigidity to be self supporting when bent into an arcuate shape, the inner panel being larger than the outer panel and the panels being connected together by a flexihle sheet hinge portion (36) and in which the releasable securement means (39) is on the lower surface of the sheet at a distance from the inner panel equal to the width of the outer panel.

10. A baby support mat as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, in which there is provided an internal support of rigid material within the ledge (41) having a cross-sectional area substantially the same as that of the interior of the ledge.

11. A baby support mat as claimed in claim 10, in which the internal support comprises a pair of end caps (43) for insertion into each exposed end face of the ledge.

12. A baby support mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the releasable securement means is of the hook and eye type.

13. A baby support mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there are two substantially parallel peripheral portions for forming two spaced-apart ledges.

14. A baby support mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sheet is an inflatable sheet.

15. A base support mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there is provided ties (51) for securing the mat (50) to a support structure. IE000371 IE000371 Z//o ·«····»··*·«··» ······«»···»··· ·*····β····β··* ·«··»·«*·»*··»· ·»**···«···«··· «»·«»»«ο«»*««*· ♦«»«»«·» ·».··» ·« ·«·«»···»·»»»·· ·«·«·»««»··«·»·» ·«*···«»»»*»··· »«»*»«»»»»*»»** ·»«··«·«»·*···» «»«··««»«····»· »«·»·««»···«·«· «»*··»«·»»*»·»· »«»»»»«»»»··»·· ΦΦΦΦ • ΦΦΦ φφφ φφφφ φφ φ ΦΦΦΦ φφφφ φφφ »·«» • ••Φ φφφ φφφφ ΦΦΦΦ φφφ φφφφ φφφφ φφφ οοο· φφφφ φφφ ΦΦΦΦ φφφφ φφφ ΦΟΟΘ φφφφ φφφ «»·· ΦΟΟΦ φφφ φφφφ φφφφ φφφ φφφφ φφφφ φφφ «·»» φφφφ φφφ φφφφ φφφφ φφφ φφφφ φφφφ φφφ ΦΦΦΦ φφφφ φφ φ ···· φφφφ φφφ φ φ φφ φφφ ΦΦΟ» φφφφ φφφ IE000371 IE000371 IE000371 IE000371 6/ι° IE000371 IE000371 IE000371 4-0