WO2010089603A1

WO2010089603A1 - Child's bed-den apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010089603A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/050183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Andrew Fenton; Tina Carol Fenton
Original assignee: Mark Andrew Fenton; Tina Carol Fenton
Priority date: 2009-02-05
Filing date: 2010-02-05
Publication date: 2010-08-12
Also published as: GB2467546A; GB2467546B; GB0901828D0

Abstract

Child's bed-den apparatus (10) for temporary positioning on a child's bed (52), comprises a discrete base sheet element (12) having a front end (22), a back end (24) and two longitudinal sides (26) which interconnect the front end and the back end; and an arcuate sloping framework (14) having a plurality of struts (32, 34) providing a plurality of spaced arcs releasably engagable with the base sheet element (12) so as to have decreasing radii from the front end (22) towards the back end (24), and at least one further strut (32, 35) which provides a V-shaped support portion at the back end and which is releasably engagable with the base sheet element (12) so that the framework (14) slopes to meet the back end (24) of the base sheet element (12).

Description

Child's Bed-Den Apparatus

This invention relates to child's bed-den apparatus, a child's bed having such apparatus, and to a method of using such apparatus.

Tents are widely known and used in outdoor environments, but are intricate and complex to assemble, and are thus not suitable for a child to construct by themselves.

Furthermore, a tent will not fit on a typical child's bed nor will it typically fit under a typical child's bed covering, such as a duvet. Additionally, a tent is not a 'den', and in particular does not convey the feeling of a child's indoor 'den'. An indoor den is typically a close construction of familiar rigid items covered with towels, sheets and the like, thus facilitating play. Often in the construction of such a den, because of the typical complexity, an adult or older person must be persuaded to help, which can be inconvenient for both parties.

US5303434 provides a so-called Bed Tent, but provides two separate elongate supports which have to be physically attached to an open frame bed base, typically once the mattress is removed. It is unrealistic to expect a child to be able to erect such an apparatus, as well as remove a heavy mattress. If the mattress is not to be removed, then sides of the bed base have to be high enough to allow attachment of the separate struts. Again, this severely restricts the application of such a device.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided child's bed-den apparatus for temporary positioning on a child's bed, the apparatus comprising a discrete base sheet element having a front end, a back end and two longitudinal sides which interconnect the front end and the back end; and an arcuate sloping framework having a plurality of struts providing a plurality of spaced arcs releasably engagable with the base sheet element so as to have decreasing radii from the front end towards the back end, and at least one further strut which provides a V-shaped support portion at the back end and which is releasably engagable with the base sheet element so that the framework slopes to meet the back end of the base sheet element. Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 21, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a child's bed having a mattress, a cover element, and a child's bed-den apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention on the mattress, the cover element being supported by the framework and being at least one of a duvet, bed sheet and blanket.

Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claim 23 and claim 24.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a child's den on a child's bed using child's bed-den apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of : a) removing a cover element of the bed; b) laying the base sheet element on the bed; c) erecting the framework and engaging the framework with the base sheet element; and d) laying the cover element over the framework.

Preferably, the framework is dimensioned so that the cover element extends down to the base sheet element on at least the narrow end and the longitudinal sides.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of child's bed-den apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a socket for a strut of the child's bed-den apparatus, shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross-section view of engagement means for interconnecting struts of the child's bed-den apparatus; and

Figure 4 shows the in use child's bed-den apparatus, in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. Referring to the drawings, there is shown child's bed-den apparatus 10 which comprises a flexibly pliant base sheet element 12 and an easily dismantleable framework 14. The base sheet element 12 is discrete in that it is not attached or integrated with any top cover sheet, and preferably includes an under layer element 16, and a top layer element 18. Conveniently, engagement means for releasably engaging the top layer element 18 with the under layer element 16 are also included. The engagement means may be hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable means, such as press-studs or poppers.

Preferably, the under layer element 16 extends beyond a perimeter edge of the top layer element 18, so as to provide a border 20 therearound.

The under layer element 16 is typically impermeable to liquids, and for example, may be plastics. The top layer element 18 may be permeable to liquids, but is preferably a woven fabric to provide a softer warmer feel. The top layer element 18 is beneficially machine washable, whereas the under layer element 16 can be wiped clean.

The base sheet element 12 has a wider front end 22 and a narrower back end 24 which is shorter than the front end 22, along with two straight longitudinal sides 26 which interconnect the front end 22 and the back end 24. As such, the base sheet element 12 tapers from front to back. A handle 28 is provided by an elongate opening 30 formed in the border 20 adjacent to each longitudinal side 26 and partway, typically being midway, between the front and back ends 22, 24.

An under surface of the under layer element 16 includes retaining means for preventing or limiting movements of the base sheet element 12 once laid on a surface. The retaining means may be one part of a hook and loop fastener, for example, or simply a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber.

The framework 14 comprises a plurality of interconnectable elongate struts 32. The struts 32 are preferably flexible, but may be rigid. Beneficially, the struts 32 are hollow and formed from plastics tubing. The flexible struts 32 are straight or rectilinear when separate of each other, and include a plurality of main support members 34, a plurality of secondary support members 35, and a plurality of cross members 36. The main support members 34 are provided as pairs, in this case being three pairs, and a length of each pair differs from the lengths of the other pairs, so that the framework 14 tapers or decreases in height from one end to the other. A number of cross members 36 is sufficient to interconnect the main support members 34, and in this case two secondary support members 35 are provided.

A plurality of, typically moulded plastics, connectors 38 are also provided for releasably snap-fit engaging ends of the struts 32, as shown in Figure 3. Each connector 38 has three sockets 40, which may therefore form a substantially T-shape, four opposite sockets 40 forming a cross-shape, or five sockets 40 forming a star-shape depending on placement on the framework 14 and necessity.

Substantially the whole longitudinal extent of each strut 32 is padded 42, for example, with closed cell foam, to protect a child against possible injury.

Sockets 44 are also provided in the border 20 of the base sheet element 12. The sockets 44 are provided opposite each other and spaced apart along the longitudinal sides 26. The sockets 40 are typically moulded plastics cups fixed to the material of the base sheet element 12.

Each socket 40, 44 has a recess 46 formed in a sidewall in order to accept a complementarily shaped projection formed on a boss portion 48 at each end of the struts

32.

In use, a cover element 50, such as a duvet, top sheet or blanket, is removed from a child's bed 52 and the base sheet element 12 is unfurled and laid on the top of the mattress 54 on the bed 52. First ends of the pair of longest main support members 34 are push fitted into opposite sockets 40 of a connector 38 and flexed to form an arc having a first radius. The second ends opposite the first ends are then snap-fit inserted into a pair of opposite sockets 44 at the wider front end 22 of the base sheet element 12.

This process is then repeated for all of the pairs of main support members 34 along the length of the base sheet element 12. Due to the decreasing lengths of the main support members 34, the respective arcs formed by the main support members 34 have decreasing radii towards the narrower back end 24 of the base sheet element 12. The radius of the arc formed by the final pair of main support members 34 adjacent to the narrower back end 24 of the base sheet element 12 need not be much greater than the length of a child's foot.

Ends of the cross members 36 are then snap-fit engaged in the sockets 40 of the connectors 38 to interconnect adjacent arcs of the main support members 34 and to hold the arcs in separate spaced relationship.

The secondary support members 35 intersect the final main support members 34 having an arc of smallest radius midway along its longitudinal extent at an angle so that the framework 14 has a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped tail end. The distal ends of the secondary support members 35 engage in corner sockets 44 at the back end 24. The connector 38 used at the midpoint of the final pair of main support members 34 has five sockets 40. Each secondary support member may be curved when in use or straight.

A freestanding arcuate tapering framework 14 is thus formed which is engaged with the base sheet element 12. The V-shaped tail end of the framework 14 gives added lateral restraint and support to the structure. The child's duvet, sheet or blanket can then be thrown over to fully cover the framework 14. It is preferable that the framework 14 is dimensioned so that the cover element 50 being used extends fully over the framework 14 and meets the base sheet element 12 on at least the back end 24 and the longitudinal sides 26. AS such, the lengths of the main support members 34 and the interposed connector, when interconnected together and forming the largest arc at the wider front end 22, should be at least the width of the cover element 50. The V-shaped tail end can keep the cover element raised just away from a child's feet when in use, whilst also allowing the cover element to fall more flatly towards the narrower end of the base sheet element 12.

A pillow, for example, can conveniently be used to act as a door to the opening created by the framework 14 at the wider front end 22, if necessary.

It is also convenient to provide a light emitting element 56 which can be connected to a spare socket 40 of one of the connectors 38, for example, at the wider front end 22. The light emitting element 56 may be removable by the child to act as a torch, and preferably includes one or more LEDs. The light emitting element 56 is also preferably battery operable. One or more of the connectors may have a spare socket to enable releasable connection of the or a further light emitting element.

If no light emitting element is provided, then the arc having the largest radius at the front wider end may have a connector with only three of the sockets, thus forming a substantially T-shape.

Although sockets are mentioned above, these may simply be eyelets, which may be reinforced, through the material of the base sheet element.

Once play with the den has finished, the framework is simply dismantled by pulling the joints apart. The struts can then be wrapped in the base sheet element for storage.

The framework and base sheet element is devoid of attachment means for attaching the cover element thereto, thus simplifying construction and reducing the complexity for a child. However, ties or other attachment means could feasibly be provided, as necessity dictates.

A cover element could be provided with the base sheet element and the framework, for example, depicting a theme, such as space, sports or toys, suitable for the child in question.

The base sheet element and/or the framework may also be colour specific, depending on the gender of the child.

The connectors, struts and sockets are suitably robust to prevent or limit collapse of the framework, should play become over enthusiastic.

The child's bed-den apparatus described above is adapted to fit comfortably on a standard child's single bed, whether this is a standalone bed or part of a bunk bed, and thus the wider front end is no more than 75 cm. However, the apparatus can be dimensioned to fit other sizes of larger or smaller bed.

Although releasable connectors are suggested, the struts may be permanently or non- releasably engaged or engagable. In this case, for example, the struts forming the arcs and backend taper or slope may utilise a hinging, rotating or pivotable connector or joint by which they can be pivoted to lie in or substantially in the same plane as the strut or struts forming the spine of the framework.

A single strut may be utilised to form the spine of the framework. However, it may be feasible to dispense with the spine strut and to angle the arcs to intersect or substantially intersect, for example, via a single main connector.

The struts are coloured, so that the first front end arc with the largest radius is preferably yellow, the second intermediate is preferably blue, and the third arc with the smallest radius is preferably orange. The two backend struts forming the V-shape are preferably red, and the main spine strut or struts are preferably green. This particular colour coding enables simplified construction for a child erecting the apparatus, as well as stimulating cognitive recognition and interest.

The base sheet element and the framework, once interconnected, form a self-supporting structure which requires no guide ropes or external tie downs.

The cross members are preferably rigid whilst the main and secondary support members are preferably flexible.

The base sheet may not need to be tapered.

It is thus possible to provide child's bed-den apparatus which is cost-effective to manufacture, as well as being simple to temporarily erect and dismantle by a young child. The apparatus utilises a child's existing bedding to provide a sense of security and comfort, whilst also providing a small secluded space for work or play. The apparatus, when erected, fits comfortably on a child's bed and is reasonably low due to the sloping or tapering framework, allowing an existing child's duvet, sheet or blanket, for example, to completely cover the framework leaving no gaps on at least the back end and longitudinal sides. The framework is preferably self-supporting in its own right, but may provide a self-supporting structure when used in conjunction with the base sheet element. The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Child's bed-den apparatus for temporary positioning on a child's bed, the apparatus comprising a discrete base sheet element having a front end, a back end and two longitudinal sides which interconnect the front end and the back end; and an arcuate sloping framework having a plurality of struts providing a plurality of spaced arcs releasably engagable with the base sheet element so as to have decreasing radii from the front end towards the back end, and at least one further strut which provides a V-shaped support portion at the back end and which is releasably engagable with the base sheet element so that the framework slopes to meet the back end of the base sheet element.

2. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the said further strut is independent of the said plurality of arc-forming struts.

3. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one additional strut which forms a spine of the framework, the said plurality of struts and the said further strut being interconnectable with the additional spine strut.

4. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the framework and the base sheet element provide a self-supporting structure.

5. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet element and framework are devoid of means for fastening a cover element thereto.

6. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet element tapers whereby the front end is wider than the back end.

7. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet element includes an under layer and a top layer which is removable from the bottom layer.

8. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising engagement means for removably engaging the top layer and the under layer.

9. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein at least one of the top layer and the under layer are liquid impermeable.

10. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the other of the top layer and the under layer is liquid permeable.

11. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the under layer extends beyond a perimeter of the top layer, the flexible struts being releasably engagable with the under layer so as to be spaced from the top layer.

12. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet element includes a handle.

13. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle comprises two openings, each opening being provided adjacent a respective one of the longitudinal sides.

14. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet element includes sockets in board of its perimeter edge for releasably engaging ends of the flexible struts.

15. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the framework further comprises a plurality of cross struts which releasably interconnect the arcs in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides of the base sheet element.

16. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strut or struts of the V-shaped support portion intersect the arc nearest the back end midway or substantially midway along the longitudinal extent of the arc.

17. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a strut connector having five sockets which is provided at the intersection of the said back end arc and the V-shaped support portion.

18. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the struts are padded.

19. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the struts are flexible.

20. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a light emitting element releasably engagable with at least one of the arcs.

21. Child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the struts are releasably snap-fit engagable with each other.

22. A child's bed having a mattress, a cover element, and a child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims on the mattress, the cover element being supported by the framework and being at least one of a duvet, bed sheet and blanket.

23. A child's bed as claimed in claim 22, wherein the framework is dimensioned so that the cover element fully covers the framework.

24. A child's bed as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the framework is dimensioned so that the cover element overlies the framework and extends to the base sheet element on at least the back end and the longitudinal sides.

25. A method of forming a child's den on a child's bed using child's bed-den apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, the method comprising the steps of : a) removing a cover element of the bed; b) laying the base sheet element on the bed; c) erecting the framework and engaging the framework with the base sheet element; and d) laying the cover element over the framework.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the framework is dimensioned so that the cover element extends down to the base sheet element on at least the back end and the longitudinal sides.