WO2013156986A1

WO2013156986A1 - A bedding system

Info

Publication number: WO2013156986A1
Application number: PCT/IE2013/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bartholomew Patrick CASH; Sinéad Frances CASH
Original assignee: Cash Bartholomew Patrick; Cash Sinead Frances
Priority date: 2012-04-20
Filing date: 2013-04-18
Publication date: 2013-10-24

Abstract

An improved safety bedding system for a cot (2)comprising a multipurpose safety blanket for infants made up of a size adjustable blanket (1), an anchor fastenable to an anchor point (3) on the cot for holding the blanket in situ in the cot (2) and attachment means (4) for releasably attaching the blanket to the anchor, the blanket being held in situ in the cot to reduce the risk of suffocation and overheating of an infant.

Description

A Bedding System

Introduction This invention relates to a bedding system and more particularly to a bedding system comprising a multipurpose safety blanket for infants.

Background of the Invention Various types of bedding are known for infants. For example, small blankets varying in size are used for swaddling newborn infants and later larger blankets are used as bedding in moses baskets, cots, travel cots, grobags, sacks, cribs and the like hereinafter referred to collectively as cots. However, known infant blankets suffer from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, as infants increase in size from the newborn to toddler stage, blankets of increasing size must be purchased to accommodate the child.

Secondly, known blankets can be a risk factor in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In particular, overheating and accidental suffocation have been identified as being amongst the causes of SIDS and known blankets can contribute to these causes by coming loose and covering the infant's head. The risk factor from blankets increases as infants develop increased mobility as infants can then themselves dislodge even a tucked in blanket, e.g. by kicking and pulling, and cover their heads with the blanket thereby increasing the risk of overheating and suffocation. Grobags/grosacks are an alternative to blankets. However, this form of bedding also suffers from a number of disadvantages. For example, grobags are not suitable for small infants and conventional blankets must be used with the associated risk factors outlined above. Moreover, grobags are manufactured in a range of togs so that different togs must be used in different seasons to avoid under or overheating. In addition, a growing infant can rapidly outgrow a grobag so that grobags require regular replacement at considerable cost. Grobags are also frequently used in combination with blankets so that the risk factors associated with blankets can still be present even where grobags are used.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a bedding system for an infant comprising:

a blanket;

an anchor for holding the blanket in situ, and

attachment means for releasably attaching the blanket to the anchor.

Preferably, the anchor comprises a fastener for fastening the anchor to a selectable anchor point on a cot. More preferably, the fastener is selected from the group comprising hook-and-loop fasteners, tying methods, buttons and buttonholes, conventional hook and eye fasteners, clips, clasps, and snap fasteners.

Most preferably, the fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener. Suitably, the attachment means comprises a tie for tying the blanket to the anchor. In one embodiment of the invention, the blanket comprises at least two connectors connectable with the attachment means. Preferably, the blanket comprises series of selectable connectors. More preferably, the series of connectors are arranged in panels separated by ribs.

Suitably, the connectors comprise openings in the blanket and, preferably, the openings comprise through holes in the blanket.

The selectable connectors also serve as blanket size adjusting means for adjusting the size of the blanket as required.

Advantageously, the blanket is formed from a cellular material.

Suitably, the blanket comprises a knitted material.

The invention also extends to a cot comprising a bedding system as hereinbefore defined. Preferably, the cot further comprises a mattress.

The invention also extends to a bedding system comprising a blanket as

hereinbefore defined and to a cot comprising such a blanket. In addition, the invention also extends to a carry cot comprising a blanket as hereinbefore defined.

The bedding system and blanket of the invention can be easily, reversibly, securely and safely secured to cots as required thereby minimising the risks associated with SIDS such as suffocation and overheating. In use, the blanket of the invention also reduces the risk of an infant waking up cold as the blanket cannot be pulled off by the infant.

The blanket of the invention can also be dimensioned so that it is suitable for use with a range of cot sizes as required. The blanket also acts as a training aid to teach a baby to sleep correctly beneath the blanket as the baby is unable to remove the blanket to another location in the cot should the baby move within the cot. However, the baby can still move freely beneath the blanket so that the baby's movement and development is unrestricted.

The bedding system of the invention can also be employed with grobag and sack- type cots.

The blanket can also be safely used in a double layer as required where increased heat is required.

Due to the breathable cellular nature of the blanket, risk of suffocation is also reduced should an infant place his or head beneath the blanket. In addition, should an infant become too warm, the infant can easily extricate him or herself from beneath the secured blanket to cool down. Moreover, mobile infants can safely and freely move around a cot fitted with the secured bedding system of the invention without becoming entangled in the blanket. Moreover, the blanket is not fitted with any small parts or choking hazards that could present a hazard to an infant. Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 is top plan view of a first embodiment of a safety blanket for infants in accordance with the invention for use with a conventional cot or a carry cot in which the safety blanket is provided with openings separated by ribs for securing the blanket in position on a mattress in the cot;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a strap incorporating anchoring and attachment means adapted for use with the safety blanket of Figure ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from above and one side of baby in a conventional cot and mattress fitted with the bedding system of the invention in the form of the blanket of Figure 1 and the straps of Figure 2 with the straps of the security blanket attached to anchor points on the cot frame via fastening means in the form of Velcro (Trade Mark) type hook-and-loop panels on the straps; Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view from one side of the strap secured to an anchor point on cot frame of Figure 3 with the mattress and blanket in position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view from one side of the strap secured to the anchor point of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view from one side of a strap secured to an alternative anchor point on a fixed slat of the cot of Figure 4 with the mattress and blanket in position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view from one side of the strap of Figure 6 with the mattress and blanket removed for clarity;

Figure 8 is an enlarged top plan view of a strap adapted for use with a carry cot;

Figure 9 is a semi-perspective view from above and one side of the bedding system of the invention with the security blanket in position on a baby on a travel cot mattress with the straps of Figure 8 secured to the the mesh sides of the travel cot;

Figure 10 is a perspective view from above and one side of the travel cot of Figure 9 with the mesh of the travel cot omitted for clarity, and

Figure 11 is an enlarged side perspective view of a tie of the strap of Figure 8 being passed through a through hole of the blanket and the mesh of the travel cot for attachment to the external anchor with the portion of mesh covering the anchor omitted for clarity. Detailed Description of the Invention

As shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a multipurpose safety blanket in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1. The blanket 1 is adapted for use with a conventional cot 2 to securely attach the blanket 1 to the cot 2 at designated anchor points 3 on the cot 2 via a combined anchoring and attachment means in the form of substantially T- shaped straps 4 so that the blanket 1 does not become displaced while an infant 5 is sleeping beneath the blanket 1.

The blanket 1 is substantially rectangular in shape and has a top edge 6, a bottom edge 7, a first side edge 8, a second side edge 9, a top face 10 and a bottom face 11. The blanket 1 is formed from a cellular material. Suitable materials include cotton. However, other textiles such as manmade textiles may also be suitable for use in manufacturing the blanket of the invention.

The blanket 1 is formed from panels 12 having multiple openings in the form of through-holes 13 therein adapted to receive the straps 4 for attaching the blanket at the anchor points 3. The panels 12 are separated by horizontal and vertical ribs 14 which criss-cross the blanket 1. As shall be explained more fully below, the straps 4 are passed through through holes 13 either side of a rib 14 in adjacent panels 12 to secure the blanket 1 at an anchor point 3. The through holes 13 can be formed in any suitable manner in the blanket 1 e.g. as eyelet type openings or buttonhole type openings. However, in the present embodiment of the invention, the cellular blanket 1 is a knitted blanket 1 and the through holes 13 can be formed in the knitting process during manufacture.

The dimensions of the blanket 1 in use can be adapted or adjusted as required in accordance with the age or size of the cot 2 and/or the infant 5 by selecting appropriate through holes 3 and securing the blanket 1 in situ with the straps 4 through the selected through holes 13.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the combined anchoring and attachment means in the form of the strap 4 adapted for use with the conventional cot 2. The strap 4 is made up of a fastenable anchor 15 for securely anchoring the strap 4 to the appropriate anchor point 3 on the cot 2 and attachment means in the form of a tie 16 for extending between the anchor 15 and the through holes 13 of the blanket 1. In the present embodiment the anchor 15 is provided with a fastener 26 in the form of a two-part easily reversible hook-and-loop Velcro (Trade Mark) type strip having a hooked face 17 and a complimentary loop face 18 that can be securely looped about the designated anchor point 3 on the cot 2.

The tie 16 of the strap 4 is made up of two knottable ribbon ties 17 secured to and depending from the Velcro (Trade Mark) type anchor 15.

In use, the blanket 1 of the invention can be anchored in place on the cot 2 at two types of suitable anchor points 3 on the cot 2. For example, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, a first type and location of anchor point 3 is positioned on the base frame 20 of the cot 2 and more particularly on the side member 21 of the base frame 20. The anchor 15 bearing the knottable ribbon ties 17 is securely looped around the side member 21 at the foot of the cot 2 by contacting the hooked face 17 and the loop face 18 of the Velcro (Trade Mark) strip. The blanket 1 is secured at at least two oppositely disposed anchor points 3 on the two side members 21 of the base frame 20. A mattress 22 and then the infant 5 are then placed in the cot 2 with the infant face-up and the infant's 5 feet disposed towards the foot of the cot 2.

The blanket 1 is then placed over the infant 5 below shoulder level and tucked beneath the mattress 22. If desired, blanket 1 can be folded before being placed over the infant 5 to provide a double layer. The blanket 1 is then secured in position to prevent displacement of the blanket 1 by, firstly, looping the ties 17 through appropriate through holes 13 either side of an appropriate rib1 and tying the ties 17 to securely attach the blanket 1 to the anchor points 3. No bows, loops or openings in the straps 4 should be accessible to the infant 5.

The blanket 1 can also held in position at an alternative second anchor point 3.

More particularly, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second type and location of anchor point 3 is located on cross-members or slats 23 on the base frame 20 again towards the foot of the cot 2. In an analogous manner to the side member 21 , the Velcro (Trade Mark) strip of the anchor 15 can simply be looped about a slat 23 at each side of the cot 2 and the ties attached to the blanket 1 as previously described.

The blanket 1 is therefore held in position on the mattress 22 as shown in Figure 3 so that the blanket 1 does not become displaced while the infant 5 is sleeping beneath the blanket 1 in the cot 2 thereby minimising the risk of SIDS associated with suffocation and overheating.

Figures 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of the security blanket 1 of the invention in which the blanket 1 is adapted for use with a carry cot 24 having mesh sidewalls 25. Like numerals indicate like parts.

As shown in the drawings, the blanket 1 is identical to the blanket previously described in Figures 1 to 7. However, in the present embodiment and as shown particularly in Figure 8, the straps 4 are cross-shaped in construction having an anchor 15 in the form of a Velcro (Trade Mark) strip as previously described with a ribbon tie 19 extending from each side of the anchor 15. In use, the anchor 15 is positioned externally of the carry cot 24 at the mesh sidewalls 25 to create the anchor points 3. It is not necessary to secure the anchor 15 to the mesh sidewalls 25. The ribbon tie 19 is then looped through the through holes 13 either side of ribs 14 and tied as previously described to simply secure the blanket 1 to the carry cot 24 at the anchor points 3. The anchor 5 is automatically secured to the sidewall 25 upon tying of the ribbon tie 19 and is prevented from passing through the mesh sidewall 25 due to its size. As the dimensions of the blanket 1 are adjustable in use, the blanket 1 of the invention can be dimensioned as required to fit all mattress sizes (typically ranging from about 50 cm to about 75 cm in width) i.e. the blanket 1 is universal in nature. Moreover, as the dimensions of the blanket 1 can be adjusted, the blanket is suitable for use with all infants ranging from newborn infants to infants in moses baskets to toddlers in cots 2. Accordingly, unlike grobags and known blankets, it is not necessary to replace the blanket at regular intervals i.e. the blanket 1 can also have universal application according to infant size. The blanket 1 is highly adjustable to further enhance the comfort, security and safety of infants.

The blanket 1 can also be used either alone or in combination with other blankets or grobags provided the blanket 1 of the invention is the first blanket placed on the infant and subsequent blankets are correctly tucked in beneath the mattress 22. The blanket 1 also serves as a training aid for infants as the infants are encouraged by the blanket 1 to maintain a correct orientation during sleep i.e. feet oriented towards the correct end of the cot 2. As the blanket 1 is secured in position, there is also a reduced risk of an infant waking up cold as the blanket cannot become displaced.

The blanket 1 of the invention can be formed from any suitable material. However, a knitted, breathable or cellular material is preferred which further minimises the risk of overheating and suffocation. A preferred material is cotton. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener 26 on the anchor 15 is formed from Velcro (Trade Mark) as previously described. However, the fastener 26 can also take other forms if desired such as tying methods, buttons and buttonholes, conventional hook and eye fasteners, clips, clasps, snap fasteners, click fasteners and the like.

The blanket 1 of the invention also minimises the use of fabric as the blanket 1 can be securely tucked in and held in situ with the straps 4 without requiring the insertion of large amounts of fabric beneath the mattress 22.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bedding system for an infant comprising:

a blanket;

an anchor for holding the blanket in situ, and

attachment means for releasably attaching the blanket to the anchor.

2. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a fastener for fastening the anchor to a selectable anchor point on a cot.

3. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the fastener is selected from the group comprising a hook-and-loop fastener, tying methods, buttons and buttonholes, conventional hook and eye fasteners, clips, clasps, and snap fasteners.

4. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.

5. A bedding system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the attachment means comprises a tie for tying the blanket to the anchor.

6. A bedding system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the blanket comprises at least two connectors connectable with the attachment means.

7. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the blanket comprises series of connectors.

8. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the series of connectors are arranged in panels separated by ribs.

9. A bedding system as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8 wherein the connectors comprise openings in the blanket.

10. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the openings comprise through holes in the blanket.

11. A bedding system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the blanket is formed from a cellular material.

12. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the blanket comprises a knitted material.

13. A cot comprising a bedding system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12. 4. A cot as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the cot comprises a mattress. 15. A cot as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein the cot comprises a carry cot.