US2503427A

US2503427A - Sleeping bag

Info

Publication number: US2503427A
Application number: US733546A
Authority: US
Inventors: Waterworth Leona
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-03-10
Filing date: 1947-03-10
Publication date: 1950-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1967-04-11

Description

April 11, 1950 Filed March 10, 1947 L. WATERWORTH SLEEPING BAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 11, 1950 WATERWORTH 2,503,427

SLEEPING BAG Filed March 10, 1947 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apra 11, 1950 UNITED STATES OFFICE 4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a sleeping bag for confining children in certain positions in a bed, yet allowing movement to other positions and preventing climbing or crawling from its supporting bed, for safety and other purposes.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved sleeping bag characterized by its simplicity of construction and inexpensiveness of manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sleeping bag characterized especially by the fact that a child has complete freedom of movement of its arms and hands for any use that he might desire, such as holding his bottle or toys, or rubbing his nose or eyes, etc., the chest, stomach and legs of the child bein confined within the bag itself.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sleeping bag particularly applicable for the child over six months of age when it becomes increasingly difficult to keep him in a crib or bed or covered without extraordinary measures, the bag being capable of enlargement both for length and circumference as the child grows and being sufiicient in itself to maintain the child in different sized cribs without the necessity of raising a side thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sleeping bag adaptable for use in different sized cribs, baby buggies and beds either of the full or twin size, by adjusting the length of tie straps, fastening means and se curing them to side rails, springs, spring sup :ports or other suitable place whereby the bag may be used not only at home, but also in traveling or visiting.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sleeping bag in which the infant or child cannot reverse its original position to the extent of becoming uncovered, yet allows enough freedom of movement so that the infant or child can move freely from side to side, or from abdomen to back, or vice versa, depending upon what position the child was placed in the device, and the position of course being decided by the sleeping habits of the infant or child. It also will allow some longitudinal movement, and will allow the child to sit up.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comfortable device, which, by its construction, i

.elli

movement of the legs within the bag are not hampered in any way; and the design of the yoke which 'covers the childs chest or back, depending on which position the child is placed in it, and the placement .of the shoulder straps on the yoke is such that there is no strain on any vital parts, and in no way wouldit be possible for the child to become strangled .or smothered.

Another object of my invention :is "to :provide a sanitary and economical covering for the child. By its construction, it is easily laundried and covers a large sized crib "in its entirety, with the exception of the space left for the shoulders and head of the child, and by placing a diaper or any other object suitable in size over this portiOn of the bed, sheets being unnecessary, thus saving additional expense.

The features of the present invention which are believed to 'be novel are set forth with particularity'in the appended claims. This invention itself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and .ad-

vantages thereof, may be *best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows 'a sleeping bag incorporating the presentinvention aliixed in :achilds bed with the child confined therein in sitting position, the child being of the type which likes to sleep on its back.

Figure 2 is a view in plan elevation of a portion of the sleeping bag shown :in Figure 1, the flexible cloth of the bagitself being extended to show more clearly the construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the under side of the sleeping :bag arrangement shown in Figure ,2.

Figure 4 is a view showing the child in the sleeping bag of Figure 1 lying on its stomach.

Figure 5 shows another child placed in the sleeping bag :shown in Figure 1 but in this case the child is of the type which likes to sleep on its stomach, but has raised to a sitting Position.

Figure '6 is a plan View of the component parts of the sleeping bag shown in Figure 1 in disassembled form prior to sewing.

Figure 7 is a View similar to the view shown in Figure but some of the parts are disassembled and extended to more clearly indicate the manner in which the bag .is fabricated.

Figure-8 is a perspective View of the bag shown in Figure l with the flexible cloth portions there- 'of extended to more clearly indicate the manner in which the individual elements are :sewed together to form the bag.

A characterizing feature of the present invention is that the bag for a child shown herein may be used alike for either back sleepers or stomach sleepers and in either case the childs shoulders and arms are exposed and he is allowed to roll from side to side or to move from a prone position to a sitting position, or vice versa.

The sleeping bag itself has a plurality of component parts stitched together, the parts being of cloth, such as muslin, heavy weight cotton, or other like material, with fastening means associated therewith for maintaining the bag in a crib or bed and with fastening means for holding a child therein, the child being maintained in the bag by fastening means which may incorporate a so-called zipper to allow the baby to be slipped into the bag or removed therefrom. In this respect I prefer to use heavy muslin or material of that type because of its strength and smoothness which does not stick to the childs sleepers, thus allowing freedom of movement. However, any type of similar material could be used if additional warmth is desired. While I prefer to use a zipper fastener, it is apparent that other fastening means may be used, such as snaps, hooks, buttons and the like.

Referring to Figure 6, the individual component cloth portions of the bag may be catalogued as follows: a rectangularly shaped piece I8 of dimensions substantially equal in width but somewhat smaller in length than a standard size baby mattress to allow room at the upper end of the mattress for the head and shoulders of the child, the piece I!) having a plurality of elongated fastening tabs ll sewed thereon, the fastening tabs ll being of suificient length either to be secured to the side rail or spring of a baby bed or to extend underneath the full width of the aforesaid mattress upon which it is placed and tied to the corresponding fastening tab on the adjacent edge of the part ID; a trapezoidal part 28 having four edges 2|, 22, 23 and 24, the edge 2| being sewed or stitched by conventional type of seams, such as a flat felled seam, to the corresponding edge l3 of the part l8; a top part 38 of substantially trapezoidal shape having edges 3|, 32, 33 and 34, the edge 3| being sewed or stitched to the corresponding edge 23 of the part 28 and a zipper 38 centrally located therein extending longitudinally of the part 38 and substantially parallel to the plurality of the size adjusting pleats 31 which are stitched only at the edge 34 to provide fullness; a pair of triangularly shaped parts 48 and 58 having respectively edges 4|, 42, 43 and edges 52, 53, the apexes of the triangular portions 48, 58 being at the foot end of the bag with edges 4| of the part 48 sewed to the edge 32 of the part 38 and with the edge 5| of the part 58 sewed to the edge 33 of the part 38; a pair of substantially rectangular parts 68 and 18, respectively, having edges 6|, 82, 63 and 64 and edges H, 12, 13 and 14, edge 6| being sewed to edge 43 of the part 48 and edge 1| being sewed to edge 53 of the part 58; a part 88 having edges 8|, 82, 83, 84 and 85, and

edges

85 and 81 separated by a cutout or reentrant portion 88 in the part 88,

edges

86 and 81 being sewed to the edge l4 of the part l8; and a pair of shoulder fastening straps 89 sewed to the part 88, the free ends of the straps 89, comprising tapes sewed thereto for purposes of flexibility and ease of fastening, are fastened to suitable fastening means on the top part 38 comprising a pair of spaced

loops

38 and 39 sewed 0n the upper edge 34. These loops,

if desired, may comprise rigid ring shaped members to facilitate the threading of the ends of the tapes therethrough, or the tapes may be fastened to the top of the bag by other means, such as buttons, pins, and the like. The straps 89 themselves, where they make contact with the childs person, are of suificient width to be comfortable.

The individual component parts of the bag are further stitched or sewed together by sewing edges 22 and 24 of the part 28, respectively, to

edges

14 and 64 of the parts 18 and 68; by sewing the edges 13 and 63, respectively, to the edges I8 and I5 of the part [8; by sewing the edges 62 and 12 of the parts 68 and 18, respectively, to the

edges

82 and 83 of the part 88; and by sewing the edges 8| and 84, respectively, of the part 88 to the edges 42 and 52 and also to a portion of edge 34, thereby to provide an adjustably sized sleeping bag having the opening 98 therein to the interior, through which access may be had by operating the zipper 36.

The top part 38 is provided with a plurality of pleats 31 which may be let out as the child grows to thereby adjustably increase the size of the opening 98 through which the child's chest extends. Also, as the child grows, the composite bag may be moved downwardly in the direction of the foot end of the bed to allow increased room for his head and chest at the head end, also, the upper straps 89 may be lengthened by tieing them down further on the tapes to loops 38 and 39.

An important feature of the present construction is the arrangement of the triangular parts 48, 58 and their association with the part 88, the apexes of the triangular portions 48, 58 being at the foot end of the sleeping bag and the

edges

86, 81 of the part being sewed along a straight line to the edge l4 of the bottom part i 8 to thereby provide a certain fullness" in the bag to allow the child confined therein to roll from side to side and to move from a prone position on his back to a prone position on his stomach, also to sit up if he so desires regardless of whether he was initially placed in the bag on his stomach or on his back.

Parts 48 and 58 provide a gradual tapering upwardly of the composite bag from its foot end to the open end 98 and the nature of the part 88 and the manner in which it is sewed to the other parts are such that the movement of the child when in the opening 98 is not materially restrained.

While I have referred to the part 38 as being the top part of the bag, the top of the bag comprises essentially the part 38 and also parts 48 and 58, it being understood that, if desired, such parts 38, 48 and 58 may comprise but a single piece of cloth material having the general outline of the parts 38, 48 and 58 as shown in Figure 8. It is understood therefore in the claims appended hereto the top of the bag refers to the parts 38, 48 and 58 considered as a composite piece of cloth unless qualified in the claims. The bottom of the bag is the cloth part I8, the sides of the bag are the parts 18 and 68 and the ends of the bag are the parts 28 and 88.

It is noted that the portions defining opening 98 snugly engage, without tightness, the chest of the child confined therein so as to prevent him from completely entering the bag While the shoulder strap fastening means 89, 38 and 89 prevent him from leaving the bag. It is further noted that the sleeping bag does not encompass the childs upper extremities, the bag itself being useful in warm or cold weather. In cold weather, the child may wear a tight fitting sweater or night gown. Also, if desired, the childs shoulders may be kept covered with a blanket, the edges of the blanket in such case being tucked under the edges of the mattress without fear of the child kicking off such blanket.

It is apparent further from the drawings and description herein that the child may be placed in the bag after opening the zipper 36 on either his back or stomach, depending upon whether he is a stomach or back sleeper. In either case, the child may move from side to side, to a sitting position or from a position on his back to a position on his stomach, or vice versa.

I have shown tape ties for fastening the bag to a bed or crib, heavily woven cotton tape being preferred for obvious safety reasons, there being a great amount of strain placed on these tapes, particularly the top ones as the child moves about. However, it is apparent that any similar method of securing the bag to a bed or crib may be used to practice certain aspects of the present invention.

While I have shown, described and prefer to use shoulder strap fastening means 89 of the type shown in Figure 6, it is apparent that the child could be fastened in the bag by many other expedients allowing freedom of its arms. For example, the means which I have broadly referred to as shoulder strap means 89 may comprise a small vest structure on the order of a childs sleeveless undershirt having a portion of its bottom edge stitched or sewed to the edge 85, the

vest structure being buttoned at the front or aback of the child, depending upon the position in which the child is originally placed in the opening 98.

An important feature of the present invention is that the child has complete freedom of movement, including particularly, freedom of movement of its arms, which may be obtained even though the vest mentioned above does have sleeves.

I prefer to call sleeping bags of the general construction shown herein as Dennis sleeping bags, and for that purpose, let it be known that I adopt such name.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a sleeping bag arrangement for children, a bottom substantially rectangular cloth part, a pair of substantially rectangular side cloth parts stitched at opposite edges to said bottom part, a first end enclosing part stitched to said bottom part at the foot end of the bag, a top stitched to said side and end parts, said top comprising a substantially rectangularly shaped member having a pair of triangularly shaped members stitched to opposite edges thereof with the apexes of said triangularly shaped parts at the foot end, a second end enclosing member stitched to said bottom part, side part and triangulariy shaped parts, said second end part having an outline generally pentagonal in shape and when extended to thus form substantially a pentagon having fullness therein, and an opening defined by the edges of said top and said second end part in which a child is maintained, said edges being arranged to encompass only the vicinity of a childs chest below the childs arms to thereby prevent the child from slipping into the bag.

2. In a sleeping bag construction for children, a bottom part for the bag, a first end enclosing part for said bag at the head end of the bag, said end part being of cloth and substantially rectangular and having a pair of opposite edges defining a reentrant portion in said end part, said opposite edges being stitched on substantially a straight line to said bottom part to thereby provide fullness therein, and a top for said bag extending generally upwardly from said foot end to said end part and being fastened thereto.

3. In a sleeping bag arrangement for children, said sleeping bag having an enclosing top portion, a bottom portion, and an end enclosing member at the head end thereof, said top portion comprising a substantially rectangularly shaped central section and a pair of adjacent triangularly shaped side sections stitched thereto with the apeXes of said triangularly spaced side sections at the foot end of the bag to thereby provide a bag with a top portion extending upwardly from the foot end to the head end thereof, said end enclosing member comprising a substantially rectangularly shaped cloth member having a pair of opposite edges defining a reentrant portion and being stitched to said bottom part with said edges on substantially a straight line and being attached to said triangular side sections to thereby provide fullness in the bag whereby a child confined therein may move from side to side, and from a prone position to a sitting position regardless of whether he is initially placed therein on his back or on his stomach.

4. The invention defined in the next preceding claim characterized by said top portion and end enclosing member defining an opening arranged to snugly engage the childs chest, and shoulder strap fastening means mounted on said bag for fastening said child within said bag.

LEONA WATERWORTI -I.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS