US20120192354A1

US20120192354A1 - Modified infant angled pillow harness

Info

Publication number: US20120192354A1
Application number: US13/019,413
Authority: US
Inventors: Yolanda Baldwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-02
Filing date: 2011-02-02
Publication date: 2012-08-02

Abstract

A angled pillow configuration designed for infants comprising: a angled pillow: a sloping top surface of the angled pillow; a harness assembly, where the harness assembly provides means to secure an infant in a supine position; and adjustment slits along the sloping top where the adjustment slits provide a means to adjust the position of the infant while in the harness assembly. The harness assembly may include harness straps, a padded body, and a release buckle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a specially designed pillow, harness and casing that attaches to an infant's mattress to prevent respiratory problems and other hazards related to infants.
2. Description of Related Art
Infant mattresses come in a variety of forms and styles. Infant mattresses are usually made of inner spring or foam. Most infant mattresses are designed in the basic form and shape of a conventional mattress, that being rectangular with a flat surface. Some of the needs or necessary characteristics of an infant mattress are similar to those required of a conventional mattress, principally consumers seek a comfortable and safe mattress for their child. Although comfort may be based upon the child's ability to sleep on the mattress but safety is a clear feature that may be addressed without any actual use of the mattress.
Consequently, since an infant has limited communication skills and is still in the growing process, one must be aware of certain hazards that are common in relation to infant sleeping and use of infant mattresses. Infants may sleep either on their back, side, or stomach while lying on a mattress. Due to certain respiratory hazards such as acid reflux or common spitting up that occurs with infants, it is sometimes advisable to place a child in an upright position to prevent possible suffocation. Another common hazard relates to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) wherein an infant may actually die as a result of the SIDS syndrome, which is common among babies in the United States. One solution to address the SIDS problem is the sleeping position of the infant, which has been known to play a role in addressing or at least reducing the risk of this problem.
Although it is advantageous for some infants to sleep on their stomach, more times than others is more advantageous for an infant to sleep on their back and remain in a supine position while sleeping. Many mattresses are available in the market; however, very few address these specific problems in their design and construction. Further the mattress fails to come equipped with a pillow that could assist in addressing the problem. Most cribs include standard pillows that do not aid in placing the infant in a supine position on it's back.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an angled pillow configuration designed for infants comprising: an angled pillow; a sloping top surface of the angled pillow; a harness assembly, where the harness assembly provides means to secure an infant in a supine position; and adjustment slits along the sloping top where the adjustment slits provide a means to adjust the position of the infant while in the harness assembly. The harness assembly may include harness straps, a padded body, and a release buckle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a rear view of an infant mattress and pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a top view of the infant mattress and pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 1C shows a side view of the infant mattress and pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of a harness used in conjunction with the mattress and pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the harness used with the mattress and pillow according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a prospective view of the mattress and pillow according to present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a uniquely designed configured angled pillow, harness and casing that fits standard mattresses that assists in reducing the risks associated with SIDS and other respiratory problems that an infant may encounter during sleep. The present invention replaces the conventional pillow and gives the mattress a sloped angle with a harness for securing the infant into a fixed position while sleeping. The pillow according to the present invention enables an infant to sleep in a semi-elevated position unassisted to avoid respiratory failure, prevent frequency of pneumonia, and to improve development of the gastrointestinal tract. The pillow according to the present invention includes a sloped angle with a harness for securing the infant into a fixed position while sleeping.
FIG. 1A shows a rear view of a mattress and Pillow 10 according to the present invention. The Pillow 10 as depicted has a sloped angle with a Zipper 12 at the head end of the mattress. A top view of the Pillow 10 is depicted in FIG. 1B which includes Adjustment Slits 14 that provide an ability to adjust the resting angle of the infant once the infant is contained within the straps of the harness assembly.
FIG. 2A shows a detailed view of a Harness Assembly 20 according to the present invention. The Harness Assembly 20 includes the Harness Straps 24A, Padded Body 26, and a Release Buckle 22. The Harness Assembly 20 according to the present invention provides the means to secure the infant while lying on the Pillow 10. FIG. 2B shows a side view of the Harness Assembly 20 where the Release Buckle 22 and Pad Body 26 are shown.
FIG. 1C shows a side view of the Pillow 10 according to the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1C, the top surface of the Pillow 10 slopes downward towards its foot where the infant will be placed and is shown in FIG. 3. The sloping top edge of the Pillow 10 according to present invention therefore allows the infant to sleep in an upright position and downward sloping whereas the infant's head is placed at the higher point of the slope and the child's feet and rear end is placed downward toward the lower end of the slope. The infant is placed upright within the Harness Assembly 20 and therefore inherently reduces risk associated with sleeping.
FIG. 3 depicts a Baby 30 within the Harness Assembly 20. As shown, Straps 24 extend across the front body of the Baby 30 and the Harness Assembly 20 securely holds the baby in an upright position. As noted, the baby may actually extend off of the mattress in order to ensure that the baby remains in an upright and angled position.
The Harness Assembly 20 is attached to the Straps 24 so that the infant is maintained in an upright and angled position. This position helps to facilitate spontaneous breathing in infants with apnea. The further advantages of this particular position include the ability to facilitate digestion and to prevent regurgitation in infants with reflux. Studies have shown also that babies who are placed in an upright position are less likely to suffer from SIDS syndrome. The material that this pillow can be made of may include memory foam or suitable comfortable padding that would be resilient enough to hold the baby in the upright position. The Harness Assembly 20 maintains the infant in a fixed position; however, is designed to ease the natural breathing without restricting any airways or passages of the infant. The Release Buckle 22 may be quickly released and detached in order to free the baby from the mattress when desired.
The instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An angled pillow configuration designed for infants comprising:

a. an angled pillow:

b. a sloping top surface of the angled pillow;

c. a harness assembly, where the harness assembly provides means to secure an infant in a supine position; and

d. adjustment slits along the sloping top where the adjustment slits provide a means to adjust the position of the infant while in the harness assembly.

2. The angled pillow configuration according to claim 1, where said harness assembly includes harness straps, a padded body, and a release buckle.

3. A method of securing an infant in a supine position comprising the steps of:

a. attaching a harness assembly to a angled pillow, where said angled pillow includes a sloping top surface;

b. providing adjustment slits along the sloping top, where adjustment slits assists in the adjustment of the harness assembly; and

c. inserting the infant into the harness assembly.

4. The method of securing an infant in a supine position, where said harness assembly includes harness straps, a padded body, and a release buckle.