WO1995015102A1

WO1995015102A1 - Device for accommodating an infant

Info

Publication number: WO1995015102A1
Application number: PCT/GB1994/002638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Catherine O'neill
Original assignee: James Galt & Company Limited
Priority date: 1993-12-04
Filing date: 1994-12-02
Publication date: 1995-06-08
Also published as: GB2284546A; GB9324923D0; GB2284546B

Abstract

The infant accommodation device (2) comprises a generally annular body (4) which defines a central generally circular region (6). A padded base part (8) is secured to the body (4). The outer surface of the body (4) is decorated in an attractive manner and provided with various means for stimulating the senses of an infant. The annular body (4) comprises an inner inflatable ring (10) (figure 6) and an outer removable washable fabric cover (12). The extent of inflation of the ring (10) may be varied according to the size and/or age of the infant to be accommodated in the device (2).

Description

DEVICE FOR ACCOMMODATING AN INFANT

This invention relates to a device for accommodating an infant and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a play area for an infant.

There are many different types of play areas available for infants. For example, playpens which comprise a small enclosure have been known for many years. A playpen is portable and may simply be positioned on a floor and then an infant may be placed within the enclosure. Playpens are generally used to cage in infants; they may be relatively bulky and have little aesthetic appeal. They are not generally used for very young infants (e.g. up to 6 months of age) .

Another known play area for infants comprises a pair of soft foam semi-circles covered in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. The semi-circles are secured together in order to define a circular area within which an infant may be accommodated. However, the play area is expensive to construct and is very bulky (and, therefore, expensive to transport) and, furthermore, is not suitable for use by very young infants.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate some of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for accommodating an infant, the device comprising a support means arranged to be adjustable in volume and to define a region for accommodating an infant, and a cover means which is releasably engagable with the support means. Preferably, said support means is arranged to define a wall of the device. More preferably, said support means is arranged to define an outwardly facing wall of the device. Preferably, said support means is arranged to define a wall of said region for accommodating an infant. More preferably, said support means is arranged to define a boundary wall of said region for accommodating an infant which wall suitably faces generally inwardly.

An opening in said support means is preferably arranged to define said region for accommodating an infant.

Said support means may be of any suitable shape. For example, said support means may be arranged not to fully enclose the region for accommodating an infant, in which case, the support means may be arranged to define a "C"- shape or a "U-shape. Preferably, however, said support means is arranged to define an endless enclosure wall around the region for accommodating an infant. In this event, said support means may be polygonal, for example square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal, or circular or oval-shaped in cross-section. Said support means is preferably arranged to be of substantially constant cross- section along its extent.

Said device may be of any desired shape. Suitably, the support means is annular and, consequently, the device is annular. In an alternative embodiment, the device may be elongate in cross-section and arranged to represent a vehicle, for example, a car in which an infant can be accommodated.

Said support means is preferably arranged to define a base of the device which is preferably substantially planar. The support means is preferably also arranged to define an uppermost wall of the device (which wall suitably faces upwardly in use) .

The device may be arranged to define a first condition. In said first condition, said support means may have a first volume. In this case, said support means is preferably relatively rigid. Preferably, also, said support means is cushioning and/or deformable when said support means is of said first volume. The device may be arranged in said first condition when an infant to be accommodated in the device is older than about 1 year of age and/or when an infant can sit up unsupported. The support means preferably defines generally the shape of the device when in said first condition.

The device may be arranged to define a second condition. In said second condition, said support means may have a second volume. Said second volume is preferably less than said first volume. Said second volume suitably represents the minimum volume of said support means. Said second condition of the device suitably represents a storage condition of the device.

The device may be arranged to define a third condition. In said third condition, said support means may have a third volume. Said third volume is preferably greater than said second volume and/or less than said first volume. When in said third condition, said support means is less rigid than when the device is in said first condition. Also, said support means is preferably cushioning and/or deformable. The device may be arranged in said third condition when an infant to be accommodated in the device is less than 1 year of age and/or when the infant cannot sit up unsupported. The infant may, in this event, lie diametrically across the device. The support means preferably defines generally the shape of the device when in said third condition.

When the device is in said first or third conditions, a base part of said region for accommodating an infant is preferably below the uppermost wall of the device. Preferably, a base part of said region for accommodating an infant is closer to a lowermost wall of the device than to an uppermost wall thereof. Preferably, said base part of said region for accommodating an infant is adjacent a base part of the support means of said device.

Said support means is preferably inflatable for adjusting the volume thereof. Preferably, the support means comprises a hollow body, into which a fluid, suitably a gas, for example air, may be directed. The hollow body is preferably gas impermeable. In a preferred embodiment, said support means comprises an inflatable ring.

When the device is in said first condition, said support means may be inflated to 80%-100% of its maximum volume. When the device is in said second condition, said support means is preferably substantially deflated. When in said third condition, said support means may be inflated to 40%-79% of its maximum volume.

When in said first and/or said third conditions, the maximum width of the device may be at least 75 cm. The width may be in the range 75 cm to 200 cm, is preferably in the range 90 cm to 150 cm and is more preferably in the range 90 cm to 120 cm. Also, when in said first and/or third conditions, the maximum height of the device may be at least 20 cm. The height may be in the range 20 cm to 50 cm and is preferably in the range 30 cm to 40 cm.

Said cover means is preferably arranged to cover substantially the whole of said support means. Preferably, the cover means is arranged to enclose the support means.

More preferably, the cover means is arranged to fully enclose the support means.

Said cover means is preferably flexible. Said cover means is preferably non-self-supporting. The cover means is preferably made out of a fabric which is preferably washable.

Said cover means preferably has an internal region in which the support means may be accommodated. A cover opening is suitably provided in said cover means for allowing access to said internal region. Closure means, for example in the form of a zip fastener, may be provided for closing said cover opening.

The support means is preferably arranged so that when the device is in said first condition and/or said third condition said support means defines the general shape of the device. In this event, said cover means is suitably arranged to follow generally the contours of the support means when engaged therewith.

Said cover means preferably includes stimulation means for stimulating senses of an infant. Said cover means may include sight stimulation means, for example in the form of brightly coloured pictorial representations. Said cover means may include tactile sense stimulation means, for example in the form of different textures of the cover means. Said cover means may include auditory sense stimulation means, for example, in the form of infant-operable noises such as squeaks or crinkles. Said cover means may include movable parts which may be for improving hand-to-eye co-ordination of an infant. Said cover means may incorporate a book.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect for accommodating an infant.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of accommodating an infant using a device according to the first aspect, the method comprising positioning the infant in the region for accommodating an infant defined by the support means.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an infant accommodation device (with only a small part of the surface decoration shown) ;

Figure 2 is a plan view of an upper part of the device (with only a small part of the surface decoration shown) , prior to assembly of the device;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a lower part of the device, prior to assembly of the device;

Figure 4 is a detailed plan view of the upper part shown in Figure 2 with substantially all of the surface decoration shown; Figure 5 is a top plan view of the device (without showing any surface decoration) ;

Figure 6 is a cross-section along line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a relatively older infant playing in the device; and

Figure 8 shows a young infant accommodated by the device.

The infant accommodation device 2, shown in Figure 1, comprises a generally annular body 4 which defines a central generally circular region 6. A padded base part 8 is secured to the body 4. The outer surface of the body 4 is decorated in an attractive manner and provided with various means for stimulating the senses of an infant.

The annular body 4 comprises an inner inflatable ring 10 (Figure 6) and an outer removable washable fabric cover 12. The extent of inflation of the ring 10 may be varied according to the size and/or age of the infant to be accommodated in the device 2.

The device 2 is now described in greater detail.

The fabric cover 12 comprises an upper fabric part 14 (Figures 2 and 4) and a lower fabric part 16 (Figure 3) . The upper part 14 includes an outer annular region 18 which faces generally upwardly in device 2, a median annular region 20 which is an inwardly facing wall of circular region 6 in device 2 and a padded inner region 22 which forms part of the base part 8 in device 2. The upper part 14 is highly decorated and provided with various means for stimulating the senses of an infant. For example, referring to Figure 4, the upper part 14 includes:

a representation of a hot air balloon 20 having arcuate portions 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d made of materials having differing colours and textures;

a representation of a tree 24. A suitable material is associated with tree 24 so that when contacted by an infant a "crinkling" sound is heard;

a representation of a yacht 26 in which a sail 28 thereof is pivotally mounted along edge 30 so that it can be moved back and forth by an infant;

a satin moon 32;

a fish's tail 34 which projects outwardly and is pivotal about line 36 so that it can be "flipped" back and forth by an infant;

a raised sun 38 and, associated therewith, a means for generating a "squeak" when the sun is pressed;

an aeroplane 40;

appliqued clouds 42;

a house front 44 which is pivotally mounted along line 46 so that it may open to reveal a book having a plurality of pages; a garage 48 associated with house front 44 and defining a pocket in which a toy car may be placed. The toy car is suitably made of plastics and arranged to be chewed by a teething infant;

a teddy bear 50 which is removably positionable in a pocket 52 in the form of a bush; and

a train 54 including bears holding appliqued balloons 56. Additionally, an electronic music producing device is associated with the train and arranged to be actuated by an infant pressing on a predetermined part of the train. The music producing device is suitably arranged to be removed from the cover when it is to be washed.

It should be appreciated that the various features associated with the upper part 14 of the device 2 are arranged to stimulate the sense of sight, the auditory sense, tactile senses and to improve hand-eye co- ordination of the infant.

Additionally, it should be noted that the various features associated with the upper part 14 may be used to tell a story to the infant and . this may encourage interaction between the infant and the device.

Much of the surface decoration of upper part 14 is suitably screen printed thereupon. Other parts may then be provided in an appropriate manner.

The fabric cover 12 is assembled by stitching the periphery of parts 14 and 16 together and incorporating a zip 60 (Figure 1) . The inner inflatable ring 10 shown in Figure 6 is a standard 12 gauge polyvinyl chloride (PVC) inner tube having a filling orifice (not shown) closable by a plug (not shown) .

The device 2 may be assembled as follows: With the ring 10 deflated and the zip 60 retracted into an "open" position, the ring 10 is pushed through the opening defined by the zip and is suitably positioned within the fabric cover 12. The ring 10 may then be inflated to a substantially fully inflated condition, as shown in Figure 6.

When in the substantially fully inflated condition, body 4 of the device 2 is relatively rigid. In this case, the device 2 is suitable for use by a relatively old infant for example aged between 1 and 4 years, as shown in Figure 7. Referring to the figure, it will be noted that the infant 70 may sit or crouch within a safe environment whilst playing with the various feature associated with the cover 12.

As an alternative, the ring 10 may be inflated to about 60%-70% of the maximum inflation. In this case, the body 4 of the device 2 is relatively flaccid and is, therefore, suitable for use by a young infant, for example aged between 0 and l year, as shown in Figure 8. Referring to the figure, the infant 80 may lie diametrically across the device in a resting position.

Many of the advantages of the device 2 will be apparent from the above description. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the device may be packaged in a very compact state, with the ring 10 fully deflated and/or removed from within the cover 12. The device can. therefore, easily be transported from a point of manufacture to a point of sale and, subsequently, the device may be stored in its compact state in a domestic situation, when not in use. The device may be useful over a number of years in the development of the infant from, for example, aged 0 to age 4+ years. Furthermore, the device 2 may be used in educating the infant. Additionally, since the fabric cover 12 may be removed and washed, the cleanliness of the device may readily be maintained.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for accommodating an infant, the device comprising a support means arranged to be adjustable in volume and to define a region for accommodating an infant, and a cover means which is releasably engaged with the support means.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said support means is arranged to define a wall of the device.

3. A device according to Claim l or Claim 2, wherein said support means is arranged to define an outwardly facing wall of the device.

4. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support means is arranged to define a wall of said region for accommodating an infant.

5. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein an opening in said support means is arranged to define said region for accommodating an infant.

6. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support means is arranged to define an endless enclosure wall around the region for accommodating an infant.

7. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support means is arranged to be of substantially constant cross-section along its extent.

8. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support means is arranged to define a base of the device.

9. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the device is arranged to define a first condition in which said support means has a first volume.

10. A device according to Claim 9 , wherein the support means defines generally the shape of the device when in said first condition.

11. A device according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the device is arranged to define a second condition in which said support means has a second volume.

12. A device according to Claim 11, wherein said second volume is less than said first volume.

13. A device according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein said second volume represents the minimum volume of said support means.

14. A device according to any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein said second condition represents a storage condition of the device.

15. A device according to any of Claims 9 to 14, the device being arranged to define a third condition in which said support means has a third volume.

16. A device according to any of Claims 9 to 15, wherein said first volume is greater than said second volume and/or less than said first volume.

17. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support means is inflatable for adjusting the volume thereof.

18. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support means comprises an inflatable ring.

19. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the cover means is arranged to enclose the support means.

20. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said cover means is flexible.

21. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said cover means is made out of fabric.

22. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said cover means is arranged to follow generally the contours of the support means when engaged therewith.

23. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said cover means includes stimulation means for stimulating senses of an infant.

24. Use of a device according to any of Claims 1 to 23 for accommodating an infant.

25. A method of accommodating an infartt using a device according to any of Claims l to 23, the method comprising positioning the infant in the region for accommodating an infant defined by the support means.