阅读说明：本技术 婴儿支撑组件 (Infant support assembly ) 是由 史蒂文·帕佩尔诺 于 2020-01-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种婴儿支撑垫组件,该婴儿支撑垫组件具有弹性材料的本体,该本体具有大致平坦的底表面和顶表面,该顶表面在该本体的近端与远端之间相对于该底表面倾斜,使得婴儿在被放置在本体上时处于倾斜位置。顶表面具有在本体的远侧部分中的开口和被构造成容纳并支撑婴儿头部的至少一部分的弯曲表面。支撑垫组件还具有在顶表面的两侧的一对凸起的侧部构件,一对凸起的侧部构件被构造成大致将婴儿保持在本体上并且抑制婴儿移出本体。支撑垫组件还具有至少部分地围绕本体的外衬垫,以将婴儿大致保持在本体上。(The present disclosure relates to an infant support pad assembly having a body of resilient material with a generally flat bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the body such that an infant is in an inclined position when placed on the body. The top surface has an opening in the distal portion of the body and a curved surface configured to receive and support at least a portion of the infant's head. The back-up pad assembly also has a pair of raised side members on either side of the top surface configured to generally retain the infant on the body and inhibit the infant from moving out of the body. The support pad assembly also has an outer pad at least partially surrounding the body to generally retain the infant on the body.)

1. An infant support pad assembly comprising:

a first body of resilient material having a generally planar bottom surface and a top surface inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the first body such that an infant is in an inclined position when placed on the first body, the top surface having a recessed surface portion that is generally planar along a central axis of the first body and an opening in a distal portion of the first body configured to receive at least a portion of an infant's head therethrough when the infant is placed on the first body;

a pair of raised side members on either side of the recessed surface portion, the pair of raised side members configured to substantially retain the infant on the first body and inhibit the infant from moving out of the first body; and

a second body of resilient material having an outer liner surrounding a top side and sides of the second body to define a recessed area configured to receive the first body,

wherein the second body is configured to at least partially surround the first body to generally retain the infant on the first body within the recessed area.

2. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body are connected with hook-type and loop-type fasteners.

3. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the first body includes one or more recesses and the second body includes corresponding one or more inserts configured to be received within the one or more recesses.

4. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are reversible.

5. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of raised side members are formed from a single piece or multiple pieces received between a top surface and a bottom surface of the infant support cushion assembly.

6. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the first body is removable and the second body is configured to accommodate a child or child when the child or child is placed within the recessed area.

7. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the infant support cushion assembly is a unitary piece.

8. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a curved surface below the opening at the distal portion of the first body, the curved surface configured to support at least a portion of the infant's head when the infant is placed on the infant support mat assembly.

9. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an opening in the raised side member in communication with the channel in the raised side member; and a surface that is recessed relative to a bottom surface of the first body, the opening in the raised side member and the channel being sized to receive a safety strap therethrough, the safety strap being configured to extend across the recessed surface portion to facilitate retaining the infant on the infant support cushion assembly.

10. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a heating or cooling system actuatable to heat or cool one or more surfaces of the first body or the second body when the infant is on the infant support mat assembly to heat or cool the infant.

11. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 10, wherein the heating or cooling system includes a fan configured to direct a flow of air through one or more channels in the first body to direct heated or cooled air to the infant when the infant is placed on the first body.

12. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 10, further comprising: one or more sensors configured to communicate with a controller configured to operate one or more electronic components of the infant support cushion assembly.

13. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 12, wherein the one or more electronic components include a light connected to or embedded in the first body or the second body.

14. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from the group consisting of a weight sensor, a sound sensor, a heart monitor, a temperature sensor, and a motion sensor.

15. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to communicate information to a remote electronic device via a wireless connection.

16. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a sound or vibration system actuatable to provide sound or vibration to the infant when the infant is on the infant support mat assembly.

17. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a support device configured to support the head, neck and spine of the infant, the recessed surface portion and the opening in the first body configured to receive the support device thereon.

18. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the first body is inclined at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees relative to the bottom surface.

19. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the first body is inclined at an angle of approximately 7 degrees relative to the bottom surface.

20. An infant support pad assembly comprising:

a first body of resilient material having a generally planar bottom surface and a top surface inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the first body such that an infant is in an inclined position when placed on the first body, the top surface having an opening in a distal portion of the first body and a curved surface configured to receive and support at least a portion of an infant's head extending through the opening when the infant is placed on the first body;

a pair of raised side members on either side of the top surface, the pair of raised side members configured to generally retain the infant on the first body and inhibit the infant from moving out of the first body; and

a second body of resilient material having an outer liner surrounding a top side and sides of the second body to define a recessed area configured to receive the first body,

wherein the second body is configured to at least partially surround the first body to generally retain the infant on the first body within the recessed area.

21. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the first body and the second body are connected with hook-type and loop-type fasteners.

22. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the first body includes one or more recesses and the second body includes corresponding one or more inserts configured to be received within the one or more recesses.

23. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are reversible.

24. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the pair of raised side members are formed from a single piece or multiple pieces received between a top surface and a bottom surface of the infant support cushion assembly.

25. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the first body is removable and the second body is configured to receive a child or child when the child or child is placed within the recessed area.

26. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the infant support cushion assembly is a unitary piece.

27. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, further comprising: an opening in the raised side member in communication with the channel in the raised side member; and a surface that is recessed relative to a bottom surface of the first body, the opening in the raised side member and the channel being sized to receive a safety strap therethrough, the safety strap being configured to extend across the recessed surface portion to facilitate retaining the infant on the infant support cushion assembly.

28. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a heating or cooling system actuatable to heat or cool one or more surfaces of the first body or the second body when the infant is on the infant support mat assembly to heat or cool the infant.

29. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a sound or vibration system actuatable to provide sound or vibration to the infant when the infant is on the infant support mat assembly.

30. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a support device configured to support the head, neck and spine of the infant, the top surface and the opening in the first body configured to receive the support device thereon.

31. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the top surface of the first body is inclined at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees relative to the bottom surface.

32. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein the top surface of the first body is inclined at an angle of approximately 7 degrees relative to the bottom surface.

33. An infant support pad assembly comprising:

a body of resilient material having a generally planar bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface having a recessed surface portion that is generally planar along a central axis of the body and an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a head of an infant that passes through the opening when the infant is placed on the body;

a pair of raised side members on either side of the recessed surface portion, the pair of raised side members configured to substantially retain the infant on the body and inhibit the infant from moving out of the body; and

an outer liner surrounding a top side and sides of the body to surround the infant when placed on the body.

34. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, wherein the top surface is sloped relative to the bottom surface between the proximal and distal ends of the body such that the infant is in a sloped position when placed on the body.

35. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are reversible.

36. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, wherein the pair of raised side members are formed from a single piece or multiple pieces received between a top surface and a bottom surface of the infant support cushion assembly.

37. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, wherein the infant support cushion assembly is a unitary piece.

38. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, further comprising: an opening in the raised side member in communication with the channel in the raised side member; and a surface that is recessed relative to a bottom surface of the body, the opening in the raised side member and the channel being sized to receive a safety strap therethrough, the safety strap being configured to extend across the recessed surface portion to facilitate retaining the infant on the infant support mat assembly.

39. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, further comprising: a heating or cooling system actuatable to heat or cool one or more surfaces of the body when the infant is on the infant support mat assembly to heat or cool the infant.

40. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, further comprising: a sound or vibration system actuatable to provide sound or vibration to the infant when the infant is on the support mat.

41. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, further comprising: a support device configured to support the head, neck and spine of the infant, the top surface and the opening in the body configured to receive the support device thereon.

42. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, wherein the top surface of the body is inclined at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees relative to the bottom surface.

43. The infant support cushion assembly of claim 33, wherein the top surface of the body is inclined at an angle of approximately 7 degrees relative to the bottom surface.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an infant support apparatus and, more particularly, to an infant support pad.

Background

The body parts of an infant's body that are most vulnerable to injury are the head, neck, spine and spinal cord, especially in newborns and infants under 6 months. To date, the challenge from learning disability to autism is likely due to spinal cord injury at these early stages of infant life. For example, infants rely on their caregivers (e.g., parents) to hold and support their head, spine, neck and spinal cord without discomfort, all the while wrapping and/or swinging the infant with their arms, and/or while laying the infant down (e.g., on a bed, sofa). Slight shaking or shaking may cause short-term or long-term (e.g., permanent) injury to the spinal cord, thereby presenting challenges to the child later in life, such as learning disabilities and autism. Moreover, when an infant is placed on a surface (e.g., a sofa, bed, table), the infant may move and roll, and may be injured when the infant rolls off the sofa or bed while the caregiver is distracted.

Novice parents and others may have difficulty properly holding a newborn infant in a manner that properly supports the head, neck, spine, and spinal cord of the infant, especially when it has not previously held the infant. Furthermore, as discussed above, placing an infant on a surface (e.g., a sofa or bed) may be a potential risk when the caregiver is distracted. As discussed above, it is important to properly support the head, neck, spine and spinal cord of a newborn infant, and the lack of such proper support can cause discomfort and even injury to the infant (e.g., causing injury to the infant's head or spinal cord).

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system to ensure that when an infant is lying on a surface, the head, neck, spine and spinal cord of the infant are provided with adequate support and to prevent injury from the infant rolling off the surface.

According to one embodiment, an infant support pad is provided. The infant support pad includes a body of resilient material having a generally flat bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the body such that the infant is in an inclined position when placed on the body. The top surface has a recessed surface portion that is substantially flat along a central axis of the body and an opening in a distal portion of the body configured to receive at least a portion of a head of an infant therethrough when the infant is placed on the body. The infant support cushion also includes a pair of raised side members on either side of the recessed surface portion configured to generally retain an infant on the body and inhibit the infant from moving out of the body.

According to another aspect, an infant support pad is provided. The infant support pad includes a body of resilient material having a generally flat bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the body such that the infant is in an inclined position when placed on the body. The top surface has an opening in a distal portion of the body and a curved surface configured to receive and support at least a portion of a head of an infant extending through the opening when the infant is placed on the body. The infant support cushion also includes a pair of raised side members on either side of the top surface configured to generally retain an infant on the body and inhibit the infant from moving out of the body.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a support pad.

Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the support pad of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the support pad of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the support pad of fig. 1.

Fig. 5A is a front view of the support pad of fig. 1.

Fig. 5B is a rear view of the support pad of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a right side view and a left side view of the support pad of fig. 1, the left side view being a mirror image thereof.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the support pad taken along line 7-7 of figure 3.

Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the support pad taken along line 8-8 of figure 3.

FIG. 9 is a top view of one embodiment of an infant support device for use with the support pad of FIG. 1.

Fig. 10 is a top view of an infant in a wrap blanket that may include the infant support of fig. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a heating or cooling system for use with the support cushion shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 12 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a sound or vibration system for use with the support cushion shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a control system for the support cushion shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 14 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a support cushion and an outer mattress bed.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a support cushion and an outer mattress bed integrated into a combination bed.

Fig. 16 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a support cushion and an outer mattress bed integrated into a combination bed.

Fig. 17 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a support cushion and an outer mattress bed integrated into a combination bed.

Fig. 18 is a top perspective view of an internal insert or element that may be inserted into a combination bed.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-8 illustrate one embodiment of a support pad 100 that may be used to support an infant or neonate. The support cushion 100 may alternatively be a unitary piece (e.g., a single piece of material without seams) made of an elastic material. In one embodiment, the support cushion 100 may optionally be made of polypropylene. In another embodiment, the support cushion 100 may optionally be made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, the support cushion 100 may be made of other elastomeric polymers, foam, or other suitable resilient materials. In one embodiment, the support cushion 100 is optionally formed using a mold (e.g., injection molding). In another embodiment, the support cushion 100 may be formed using a 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) process. However, other suitable manufacturing processes may be used.

The support pad 100 may extend between the bottom end 12 and the top end 14, and may have a top surface 16 and a bottom surface 19. the top surface 16 may have a contour and include a surface 16a that is recessed relative to a surrounding surface 16 b. the recessed surface 16a may extend along a central axis of the support pad 100 (e.g., symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis.) the top surface 16 may also define an opening O therein that is configured to receive at least a portion of the infant's head therethrough. the top surface 16 may also have a curved surface 16c (e.g., a concave surface) that may advantageously and comfortably support at least a portion of the infant's head extending through the opening O. the top surface 16 may be generally inclined between the bottom end 12 and the top end 14 of the support pad such that the infant's head is in a higher position (i.e., not horizontal) when the infant is resting on the support pad 100. in one embodiment, the top surface 16 may be generally inclined at an angle α of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees.

The support pad 100 may have a pair of raised side members 18 on either side of the recessed surface 16a, the height of the side members 18 being greater than the height of the portion of the top surface 16 extending between the side members 18. The raised side members 18 may advantageously hold the infant in place between the side members 18 to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the infant from moving out of the support pad 100 (e.g., the side members 18 may serve an anti-roll function that may prevent the infant from rolling out of the support pad 100, thereby helping to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)). As shown in fig. 1, 3 and 8, the raised side members 18 may have openings 26, and portions of a harness (not shown) may optionally extend through the openings 26 and may be secured to one another over the infant to also help hold the infant in place on the support pad 100. The harness may be considered a two-point harness because it secures the infant in place on the support pad 100 through two locations, such as on either side of the infant's body. The safety strap may extend through a channel 24 (see fig. 8) in the raised member 18 and along the recessed portion 20 of the bottom surface 19. Recessed portion 20 may define a surface 22 that is recessed relative to bottom surface 19. The bottom surface 19 may be substantially flat to provide stability to the support pad 100 when the support pad 100 is placed on a surface (e.g., a sofa surface, a table surface, a bed surface).

Fig. 9 illustrates one embodiment of an infant support device 100c that may optionally be used with the support pad 100. The infant support device 100c may have a body 10c extending from a proximal edge 12c to a distal edge 14c and between a medial edge and a lateral edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal edge 12c can be curved (e.g., extending along a curve between the medial and lateral edges), while the distal edge 14c can be generally curved between the medial and lateral edges. The curved distal edge 14c may more comfortably support the lower spine of an infant or neonate. The body 10c may have a top surface 11c, the top surface 11c having a generally flat distal portion 18c and a curved portion 22c at a proximal portion 20c of the body.

The width 19c of the body 10c of the support device 100c may narrow (e.g., decrease in width) between the proximal portion 20c and the distal edge 14 c. In the illustrated embodiment, the support device 100c is shaped like a keyhole in a top plan view (e.g., such that the medial and lateral edges of the body 10c between the proximal and distal portions 20c, 18c are curved edges). In the illustrated embodiment, the width 19c of the body narrows to a width that is less than the width at the distal edge 14 c. Advantageously, the contoured width (e.g., narrower width 19c of body 10 c) allows the user to hold the newborn or infant closer to his body when incorporating support device 100c into the body of blanket B (see fig. 10) and more comfortably the infant or neonate when clasping the wrapped infant or neonate. Further details regarding embodiments of the infant support apparatus 100c may be found in U.S. application No. 14/997979 filed on 18/1/2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and is to be considered part of this specification.

The recessed surface 16a of the support pad 100 is advantageously shaped to receive the support device 100c such that the distal portion 18c of the support device 100c fits into the recessed surface 16a and such that the curved portion 22c fits through the opening O in the top surface 16 and adjacent to the curved surface 16c in the support pad 100. In one embodiment, support means 100c may optionally be provided in the recessed portion 16a of the support pad 100 to provide additional support to an infant or neonate while lying on the support pad 100. In another embodiment, the support cushion 100 may be used without the support device 100 c. In yet another embodiment, an infant or neonate may be wrapped in blanket B (see fig. 10) and then placed on support cushion 100. Alternatively, blanket B may have a pocket that removably receives support device 100 c. In yet another embodiment, an infant or neonate may be wrapped in blanket B and placed on support pad 100 with support device 100c between blanket B and support pad 100. In yet another embodiment, blanket B may be used without support device 100c (e.g., a wrapped infant may be placed directly on support pad 100).

Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of a heating or cooling system 300 having one or more heating or cooling elements 310 (e.g., resistive heating elements, thermoelectric elements such as Peltier element microchips, phase change materials) that may be incorporated into (e.g., embedded in) the support pad 100 and/or the support device 100c, the heating or cooling system 300 to heat or cool a surface of the support pad (e.g., the top surface 16) when an infant is lying on the support pad 100, thereby providing heating or cooling to the infant to increase its comfort. In another embodiment, one or more heating or cooling elements 310 may be disposed on the outer surface of the support cushion 100. In yet another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 300 may be in a separate assembly that may be removably coupled to the support cushion 100.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling element 310 may include a fan that is separate from the support cushion 100 and may flow air to the support cushion 100 through one or more conduits (not shown). In one embodiment, the one or more conduits may be placed in fluid communication with one or more flow channels through the body of the support cushion 100 to direct air (e.g., heated air, cooled air) through the flow channels. The one or more flow channels may communicate with one or more ports or openings or perforations on the top surface 16 of the support body to direct air (e.g., heated air, cooled air) to the infant when the infant is on the support pad 100. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling element 310 may also include a heater or cooler disposed downstream of the fan to heat or cool the airflow from the fan before the airflow enters the body of the support cushion 100.

The heating or cooling system 300 may include a switch 302, and the switch 302 may be actuated by a user to turn the heating or cooling system 300 on or off. In one embodiment, the switch 302 may be disposed on a surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the support cushion 100. The switch 302 may be in communication with a controller 304 (e.g., an electronic controller), the controller 304 controlling the operation of one or more heating or cooling elements 310. The heating or cooling system 300 may have one or more batteries 306 (e.g., low voltage batteries), and the batteries 306 may provide power to the controller 304 and the heating or cooling element 310. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 300 may include a temperature sensor (e.g., at one or more heating or cooling elements 310 or on the surface of the support cushion 100) that communicates sensed temperature information to the controller 304.

In one embodiment, the controller 304 operates the one or more heating or cooling elements 310 to a predetermined temperature set point. In another embodiment, a user may operate the switch 302 to select one of a plurality of temperature settings (e.g., low, medium, high), and the controller 304 may control the operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements 310 (e.g., control the amount of power provided by the one or more batteries 306 to the one or more heating or cooling elements 310) based on the user-selected temperature set point provided by the switch 302. In one embodiment, the controller 304 may include (or may be) a temperature limit switch that may cut off power to one or more heating or cooling elements 310 if a temperature limit of the switch is exceeded. The temperature limit switch may be normally closed during operation of the heating or cooling system 300 and may be opened if the temperature limit of the switch is exceeded. Advantageously, the heating or cooling system 300 may be selectively operated by a user to provide additional warmth to the infant and help keep the infant warm and comfortable in cold weather, or to provide additional cooling to the infant to help keep the infant cool and comfortable in hot weather.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a sound or vibration system 400 having one or more vibration elements 410 (e.g., speakers such as piezoelectric speakers). In one embodiment, one or more vibrating elements 410 may be incorporated within the support cushion 100 (e.g., embedded in the support cushion 100). In another embodiment, one or more vibratory elements 410 may be disposed on an outer surface of the support cushion 100. In yet another embodiment, the sound or vibration system 400 may be in an assembly (e.g., a sleeve) separate from the support cushion 100 that is removably coupled to the support cushion 100.

The sound or vibration system 400 may include a switch 402, and the switch 402 may be actuated by a user to turn the sound or vibration system 400 on and off. In one embodiment, the switch 402 may be disposed on a surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the support cushion 100. The switch 402 may be in communication with a controller 404 (e.g., an electronic controller), which controller 404 controls the operation of one or more vibratory elements 410. The sound or vibration system 400 may have one or more batteries 406 (e.g., low voltage batteries), and the batteries 406 may provide power to the controller 404 and the vibration element 410. The sound or vibration system 400 may also include a memory 408 that may store one or more sounds or vibrations (e.g., heartbeat, breath sounds, custom songs) that may be connected via a wired connection or wirelessly (e.g., using WiFi, bluetooth)Other RF communications) from an electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, notebook computer, or desktop computer, such as via an application. The sound or vibration system 400 may communicate such one or more sounds with one or more vibration elements 410 via the controller 404. In one embodiment, the sound or vibration system 400 may allow the user to record a user-selected sound (e.g., mother's heartbeat, breathing, and/or sound) to the memory 408.

In one embodiment, the controller 404 operates one or more vibratory elements 410 to provide a predetermined sound or vibration. In another embodiment, a user may operate the switch 402 to select one of a plurality of sound settings (e.g., heart beat, breath, ocean wave), and based on the user-selected sound setting provided through the switch 402, the controller 404 may control operation of the one or more vibratory elements 410 (e.g., control an amount of power provided by the one or more batteries 406 to the one or more vibratory elements 410, or control sound played by the vibratory elements 410 stored via the memory 408). In one embodiment, the controller 404 may include a sound limit switch that may cut off power to the one or more vibration elements 410 if the sound level exceeds a predetermined decibel level. The sound limit switch may be normally closed during operation of the sound or vibration system 400 and may be opened if the decibel limit of the switch is exceeded. Advantageously, the sound or vibration system 400 may be selectively operated by a user to provide sound and/or vibration while an infant is supported on the support cushion 100 to soothe and soothe the infant.

In one embodiment, the support cushion 100 may have a heating or cooling system 300 and a sound or vibration system 400 incorporated therein.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic view of a control system 500 for the support cushion 100. The control system 500 may have a controller or control circuit EM (e.g., controllers 304, 404). The controller EM may be in communication with one or more heating/cooling or sound/vibration elements HC and one or more sensors S1 to Sn, which may optionally be on or embedded in the body of the support pad 100. The control system 500 may also have one or more electrical storage elements PS (e.g., batteries) in communication with the controller EM. In one embodiment, the one or more electric storage elements PS are rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery may be in a rechargeable battery pack, which may be separately charged in the charging module. In another embodiment, the battery pack need not be removed and the support pad 100 can be placed on the charging station. In one embodiment, one or more storage elements PS may be charged by inductive coupling. In one embodiment, the charging station may double as a night light.

In one embodiment, one or more of the sensors S1-Sn may include a weight or load sensor S1, which may sense when an infant has been placed on the support pad 100S 1. In one embodiment, the weight sensor S1 may also measure the weight of the infant when placed on the support mat 100. In one embodiment, the one or more sensors S1-Sn may include a humidity sensor that may sense humidity to detect whether a diaper change for an infant is required. In one embodiment, the controller EM may transmit the measured weight to a user or a remote electronic device (e.g. via a smartphone or tablet computer, a notebook computer, etc.), such as to a database that may store the measured weight readings.

Alternatively, controller EM may operate one or more night lights 510 (e.g., L ED) attached to support pad 100 or embedded in support pad 100 when load sensor S1 indicates that an infant has been placed on support pad 100. in one embodiment, night lights 510 may be operated continuously (by controller EM) when load sensor S1 senses that an infant is on support pad 100. in another embodiment, night lights 510 may be operated (by controller EM) for a predetermined period of time or for a time preset (e.g., preset on a timer) by a user.

In one embodiment, the one or more sensors S1-Sn may include a sound sensor S2, the sound sensor S2 may sense whether the infant is crying (e.g., decibels are above a predetermined level.) in one embodiment, the controller EM (e.g., controller 404) may operate the one or more sound or vibration elements 410 to attempt to soothe the infant in another embodiment, the controller EM may transmit one or more signals (e.g., visual alert, audio alert) to the interface UI2 on a remote electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer) via a short range wireless interconnection BT (e.g., bluetooth) or via a cloud C L (e.g., via WiFi or cellular connection). in one embodiment, application software may be stored or loaded on the user' S electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer) that allows communication between the electronic device on the support pad 100 and the remote electronic device.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more sensors S1-Sn may include a motion sensor S3, and the motion sensor S3 may sense the motion of the infant while on the support pad 100. In one embodiment, if the level of the sensed motion is above a predetermined level (e.g., may indicate that the infant may be awake or that the infant is attempting to leave the support pad 100), the controller EM may transmit one or more signals (e.g., a visible alarm, an audible alarm) to the interface UI2 on the remote electronic device.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more sensors S1-Sn may include a temperature sensor S4, and the temperature sensor S4 may sense the temperature of the infant while on the support pad 100. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor S4 is incorporated into the body of the support pad 100. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor S4 may be incorporated into the infant support 100 c. In one embodiment, if the temperature sensed by the sensor S4 exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., may indicate that the temperature of the infant may be too high, such as a fever, or may be a too low temperature value), the controller EM may transmit one or more signals (e.g., a visual alarm, an audible alarm) to the interface UI2 on the remote electronic device.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more sensors S1-Sn may include a heart rate sensor or monitor S5, which S5 may sense the heart rate of the infant while on the support pad 100. In one embodiment, a heart rate sensor or monitor S5 may be incorporated into the body of support pad 100. In another embodiment, a heart rate sensor or monitor S5 may be incorporated into infant support 100 c. In one embodiment, if a sensed heartbeat anomaly, controller EM may transmit one or more signals (e.g., a visible alarm, an audible alarm) to interface UI2 on a remote electronic device and/or an interface on support pad 100.

In one embodiment, the support cushion 100 may be used as a sleep mat to support an infant while it is sleeping or napping. In another embodiment, the support pad 100 may be used as a changing cloth pad to support an infant while changing its diaper or clothing. In yet another embodiment, the support cushion 100 may be used as a support cushion for infants while bathing. In some embodiments, the width of the support cushion 100 may be between about 6 inches and about 20 inches, and in one embodiment about 17 inches. In some embodiments, the length of the support cushion 100 may be between about 10 inches and about 45 inches, and in one embodiment about 32 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness of the support cushion 100 may be between about 4 inches and about 6 inches, and in one embodiment about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the support cushion 100 may display an animated image.

Fig. 14 to 18 show an embodiment of a combination of a support pad 100 and an outer mattress 600 that may be used for supporting an infant or a neonate.

In some embodiments, the support cushion 100 and the outer mattress bed 600 may be separate components. The outer mattress 600 may extend from a top end 614 to a bottom end 612. The outer mattress bed 600 may have a top surface 616 and a bottom surface 619. The outer mattress bed 600 may have an outer linerA pad 616b, an outer pad 616b is positioned around at least the perimeter of the top end 614 and the sides of the outer mattress bed 600. The outer pad 616b may also optionally be positioned around the perimeter of the bottom end 616 of the outer mattress bed 600. The outer liner 616b may be positioned around the perimeter of the outer mattress bed 600 to define an inner surface 616a to receive the support cushion 100. As shown in fig. 14, the support pad 100 may be bounded by an inner surface 616 a. The inner surface 616a of the outer mattress bed 600 may have a similar shape or contour as the support cushion 100. The inner surface 616a of the outer mattress bed 600 may also accommodate various sizes and types of support cushions 100. The support cushion 100 may be secured in various ways, such as by corresponding hook-type or loop-type fasteners (e.g.,) Is secured to the outer mattress bed 600. In one embodiment, the support cushion 100 may include a well or recess on the bottom surface 19 that receives or mates with a correspondingly shaped protrusion of the top surface 616 of the outer mattress bed 600. In another variation, the top surface 616 may have a well or recess that receives or mates with a correspondingly shaped protrusion on the bottom surface of the support pad 100. The protrusions may be shaped and positioned to prevent the support pad 100 from moving or sliding in the lateral and/or longitudinal directions. Additionally, the inner surface 616a may be sized and shaped appropriately so that the outer liner 616b may secure the support pad 100.

As the infant matures and grows into a child or child, the child or child may exceed the size of support pad 100 and the child or child may no longer need to be restrained. The support cushion 100 may be removed and the outer mattress bed 600 may be used as a mini-bed. The outer liner 616b may provide a protective perimeter around a child or child located in the inner surface 616 a. The outer pad 616b may inhibit (e.g., prevent) a baby or child from rolling off of the bed. The outer pad 616b may also inhibit (e.g., prevent) others (e.g., parents) from rolling or lying on the child or child (e.g., in the case of the outer mattress bed 600 being placed in a bed where parents sleep) by forming a protective barrier around the child or child.

The inner surface 616a of the outer mattress 600 may be reversible, such that any one may functionA surface may be used as the top surface. In some embodiments, the top inner surface 616a may include features as described above for securing the support pad 100 (e.g., such asAnd/or protrusions). In some embodiments, the bottom interior surface 616a may be padded or padded for use by a child or child without the support pad 100.

As shown in fig. 15-17, the support cushion 100 and the outer mattress bed 600 may be integrated into a combination bed 700 such that these components are a single piece. The features of support pad 100 are built into the inner surface 716a formed by outer liner 716 b. The top surface 716 may have a contour and include a surface 16a that is recessed relative to the surrounding surface. The recessed surface 16a may extend along a central axis of the combination bed 700 (e.g., symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis). The top surface 716 of the bed 700 may also have a curved surface 16c (e.g., a concave surface), which curved surface 16c may advantageously and comfortably support at least a portion of the infant's head extending through the opening O. Similar to the previous embodiments, the top surface 716 may optionally be generally sloped between the bottom end 712 and the top end 714 such that the infant's head is in a higher position (i.e., not horizontal) when the infant is placed within the top surface 716 with the concave surface 16 c. The system 700 may have a pair of raised side members 18 on either side of the recessed surface 16a, with the height of the side members 18 being greater than the height of the portion of the top surface 716 extending between the side members 18. The raised side members 18 may advantageously hold the infant in place between the side members 18 to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the infant from being removed from the cot 700 (e.g., the side members 18 may serve as a roll-prevention feature that may prevent the infant from rolling out of the cot 700, thereby helping to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)).

As shown in fig. 15-17, the size and location of the various features of the combination bed 700 may vary for different user sizes. For example, as shown in fig. 17, the length of the combination bed 700 may be longer for taller or longer users (e.g., infants, toddlers, or children).

Similar to the system shown in fig. 1-8, as shown in fig. 1, 3, and 8, in the system shown in fig. 14-18, the raised side members 18 may have openings through which portions of a harness (not shown) may optionally extend and may be secured to one another over the infant to also help hold the infant in place on the inner surface 716 a. The safety strap may extend through a channel (not shown) in the raised member 18 and along a recessed portion (not shown) of the bottom surface 719. In some examples, the safety belt (not shown) may be a two-point safety belt to extend through a channel (not shown) through a slot of the boss member 18. The two-point harness can accommodate different sized babies such as of various lengths. In some examples, the safety strap (not shown) may be a three-point safety strap to extend through a channel (not shown) through a slot of the raised member 18 and a slot of the bottom of the support pad 100. The three-point harness may further secure the infant and prevent the infant from sliding down the inclined surface of the support pad. The recessed portion may define a surface that is recessed relative to the bottom surface 719.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 18, an internal insert or element 800 may be inserted into the combination bed 700. The inner element 800 may be inserted and positioned within the combination bed 700 to form the raised member 18. The combination bed 700 may be inflatable or made of a flexible material to accommodate the internal element 800, and the internal element 800 may provide the shape and structure of the raised side members 18. Various shapes and sizes of the internal element 800 may be used according to the size and shape of the user. In some embodiments, the inner element 800 may be removed from the combination bed 700, thereby providing a flat surface for the user.

The bottom surface 719 may be generally flat to provide stability to the combination bed 700 when the combination bed 700 is placed on a surface (e.g., a sofa surface, a table surface, a bed surface).

In some embodiments, the inner surface 716a of the combination bed 700 may be reversible such that features of the top surface 716 (e.g., the recessed surface 16a, the surrounding surface, and the curved surface 16c) may be disposed on the top surface 716 or the bottom surface 719 of the combination bed 700.

Similar to the support cushion 100, the outer mattress bed 600 and the combination bed 700 may optionally be a unitary piece (e.g., a single piece of material without seams) made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the external mattress bed 600 and the combination bed 700 may optionally be made of polypropylene. In another embodiment, the external bolster bed 600 and the combination bed 700 may optionally be made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, the external mattress bed 600 and the combination bed 700 may be made of other elastomeric polymers, foam, or other suitable resilient materials. In one embodiment, the external cot 600 and the combination cot 700 are optionally formed (e.g., injection molded) using a mold. In another embodiment, the outer mattress bed 600 and the combination bed 700 may be formed using a 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) process. However, other suitable manufacturing processes may be used.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be defined only by reference to the following claims.

Features, materials, characteristics or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example are to be understood as being applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. 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. The protection is not restricted to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. This protection 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.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, these operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or all of the operations need not be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations not depicted or described may be incorporated into the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, concurrently with, or between any of the operations described. Further, in other embodiments, the operations may be rearranged or reordered. Those of skill in the art will understand that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes shown and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. According to embodiments, some of the steps described above may be removed, and other steps may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above can be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

For the purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not all of these advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or practiced in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language such as "can," "might," or "may" is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include but not others that do not include certain features, elements and/or steps unless expressly stated otherwise or understood otherwise in the context of such usage. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining, with or without user input or prompting, whether such features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, a conjunctive such as the phrase "X, Y and at least one of Z" is understood as conveying either of the items, terms, etc. that may be X, Y or Z as is commonly used in the context. Thus, such conjunctions are not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

As used herein, language in the context of degrees, such as "approximately," "about," "approximately," and "substantially," refers to a value, quantity, or characteristic that is close to the recited value, quantity, or characteristic, yet performs the function desired or achieves the intended result. For example, the terms "proximate," "about," "approximately," and "substantially" can refer to being within less than 10%, within less than 5%, within less than 1%, within less than 0.1%, within less than 0.01% of the recited amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms "substantially parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to values, amounts, or features that deviate from exact parallelism by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degrees.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the particular disclosure of the preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by the claims as set forth in this section or elsewhere in this specification or in the future. The language of the claims is to be construed broadly based on the language used in the claims and not limited to examples described in the specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.