WO2013160679A1

WO2013160679A1 - Sleeping unit

Info

Publication number: WO2013160679A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/051040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emma Victoria DORAN
Original assignee: Gro-Group International Limited
Priority date: 2012-04-27
Filing date: 2013-04-24
Publication date: 2013-10-31
Also published as: GB201207407D0; GB2501526A

Abstract

A sleeping unit suitable for placement alongside a bed, the sleeping unit comprising: (i) an outer cot (2) comprising a headboard (5), a footboard (6), two side walls (7a, 7b) and a support platform (4), wherein at least one side wall of the outer cot (2) is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position; and (ii) a removable inner carry-cot (1) comprising a headboard (8), a footboard (9), two side walls (10a, 10b) and a base (11), wherein at least one side wall of the inner carry-cot (1) is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position; wherein the inner carry-cot (1) is sized to fit substantially within the outer cot (2) and is arranged to be supportable on the support platform (4) of the outer cot (2).

Description

Sleeping unit

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a sleeping unit, suitable for placement alongside a bed.

Background to the invention

A baby's safety is of paramount concern for a baby's caregiver, which is often the baby's parent. As a result, many caregivers wish to keep their babies close to them 24 hours a day. This approach is also recommended by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, who in 2009 recommended that a baby's cot should be in the same room as the caregiver. However, with limited space in many family homes, caregivers are often unable to fit a baby bed in the bedroom with them.

A cot (or crib) is an infant bed with tall sides. The tall sides prevent a baby or young child from getting out of the cot on their own. The practice of "co-sleeping" relates to a baby or young child and the caregiver sleeping close together, as opposed to in separate rooms. Cots which are specifically adapted to be used placed alongside a bed are sometimes referred to as "bedside co- sleepers" or simply "co-sleepers", or "bedside cots/cribs".

Bedside cots that attach to a parent bed were known at the turn of the century (e.g. US 1138451) but appear to have fallen out of favour until recently, when there has been a resurgence in the practice of having babies adjacent to the parents' bed.

US 5430899 describes a crib having a headboard, a footboard and opposite side gates surrounding a horizontal mattress support platform which is adjustably attached to the headboard and footboard and is selectively positionable at various levels, wherein one of the side gates is removable to facilitate placement of the crib alongside a parent bed, such that the mattresses on the bed and on the crib are disposed in adjacent, co-planar relation.

DE 20307464 U describes a cot for placement next to the parents' bed with a framework with one open side, wherein the height of a resting surface is adjustable relative to the framework.

WO 2009/144474 describes a cot designed to be used against a parent bed with a folding leg arrangement for height-adjustment. One side wall can be folded out to lie on the adjacent parent bed, bridging the gap between the cot and the parent bed.

US 6550082 describes a baby crib having a removable front wall and four supporting rails attached to back and side walls of the crib; a platform having a back wall, first and second side walls, and a reduced height front wall formed of flexible material is adjustably suspended from the supporting rails.

US 7013505 describes a playpen enclosure that converts easily to a bassinet, changing table or bedside crib or "co-sleeper" that attaches securely to the parents' bed. The document also describes an enclosure support system which maintains a padded enclosure and rigid floor panel at one or more predetermined levels below the top of the playpen to form the bassinet and co-sleeper, which enclosure has a back, two sides, a bottom and a front flap that converts into a front wall for use in the bassinet mode and overhangs the front horizontal rail for use in the co-sleeper mode.

A "carry-cot" is a portable cradle (or bassinet) for young babies. Examples of existing carry-cots include traditional moses baskets. Carry-cots enable a small baby, typically up to a few months old, to sleep in a cosy, relatively enclosed environment, whilst still being easily transportable so that a supervising caregiver can carry on with daily activities.

GB 2448108 describes a carry-cot comprising first and second portions, the first portion defining a receptacle for receiving the baby, and the second portion defining a substantially rigid external frame arranged to fit in close conformity to the first portion, wherein the rigid external frame is detachable from the receptacle such that it may be used to provide a stand upon which the receptacle may be placed.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a sleeping unit which can be kept in the caregiver's bedroom alongside the adult bed and which can be suitable for use during the first 6 months of the baby's life and beyond, which can optimize the available bedroom space and can help to meet the emotional and physical needs of the caregiver and baby. Embodiments of the invention can encourage the safe sleep practice of having the baby in the same room as the caregiver for the first 6 months, can enhance the ease with which the caregiver can access the baby (for example for night time feeds) without the caregiver needing to bend down, can encourage bonding, can alleviate reflux and sickness, and can enhance the ease of cleaning the sleeping unit for improved hygiene.

Statements of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sleeping unit suitable for placement alongside a bed, the sleeping unit comprising:

(i) an outer cot comprising a headboard, a footboard, two side walls and a support platform, wherein at least one side wall of the outer cot is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position; and

(ii) a removable inner carry-cot comprising a headboard, a footboard, two side walls and a base, wherein at least one side wall of the inner carry-cot is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position;

wherein the inner carry-cot is sized to fit substantially within the outer cot and is arranged to be supportable on the support platform of the outer cot. The sleeping unit of the invention can be kept in the caregiver's bedroom alongside the adult bed and can be suitable for use during the first 6 months of the baby's life, which can optimize the available bedroom space and can help to meet the emotional and physical needs of the caregiver and baby. Furthermore, the arrangement of an outer cot with at least one side wall which may be opened, together with an inner carry-cot with at least one side wall which may also be opened, allows easy access to the baby from the caregiver's bed. When both the outer cot's side wall and the corresponding side wall of the inner carry-cot are opened the caregiver has easy and direct access to the baby at the level of the support platform of the outer cot. This makes it easier to remove a baby from their bed and into the caregiver's bed, for example for night time feeds, without the caregiver needing to bend down, while still allowing the baby to sleep in the cosy, relatively enclosed environment of the inner carry-cot, which is also portable for use around the home.

In an embodiment, the support platform of the outer cot is selectively positionable at different heights relative to the top edges of the headboard and footboard of the outer cot. In an embodiment, the support platform is connectable to the headboard and footboard of the outer cot via a bolt and bracket system. In an embodiment, the headboard and footboard of the outer cot each comprise one or more series of apertures, which are arranged to receive conventional fasteners, such as for example bolts or screws, which allow the support platform to be connected to the headboard and footboard of the outer cot at different heights

As the baby grows and becomes able to sit up / stand up, this arrangement allows the support platform of the outer cot to be lowered relative to the top edges of the headboard and footboard of the outer cot to increase the side height of the outer cot. This can prevent the baby from being able to get out of the cot as the baby grows and becomes able to sit up / stand up.

In an embodiment, the sleeping unit further comprises height-adjustment means for positioning the outer cot at different heights relative to the floor. Such height- adjustment means can include, for example, an end post which the outer cot is fixed to, preferably suspended from, where the outer cot is selectively positionable at different heights relative to the end post. Alternatively, such height-adjustment means can include, for example, height-adjustable legs which support the outer cot. In an embodiment, the outer cot is suspended from an end post, and the outer cot is selectively positionable at different heights relative to the end post. In an

embodiment, the outer cot is securable to the end post via adjustable securing means. In an embodiment, the outer cot is securable to the end post via a hook which is attached to the outer cot and which can be hooked into one of a series of corresponding apertures in the end post.

The sleeping unit can therefore provide at least two different ways of adjusting the height of the platform on which the baby can rest relative to the floor, namely by adjusting the height of the support platform within the outer cot and/or by adjusting the height of the whole outer cot relative to the floor. Such an arrangement allows the height of the support platform to be adjusted to be substantially level with the height of the caregiver's bed. Therefore, when the baby is resting on the support platform, or inside the inner carry-cot which rests on the support platform, the baby and caregiver are at the same eye level. This can encourage bonding and is peaceful for both for the baby and the caregiver. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows the caregiver to retrieve the baby from the sleeping unit into the caregiver's bed without the need for bending down.

In an embodiment, the sleeping unit comprises angle-adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the outer cot relative to the floor such that, in use, the height of the outer cot above the floor at the footboard end can be raised or lowered relative to the height of the outer cot above the floor at the headboard end. This can, for example, enable a baby's head to be raised relative to its feet, which can result in a more comfortable sleep for the baby by helping to alleviate any reflux and/or sickness. In an embodiment, in use, the angle-adjustment means allows the angle of the outer cot relative to the floor to be adjusted to from 0 to 35° from horizontal. In an embodiment, this range can be from 0 to 30° from horizontal, from 0 to 20° from horizontal, or from 0 to 10° from horizontal. In an embodiment, in use, the angle of the outer cot relative to the floor can be adjusted in either discrete steps or continuously. In an embodiment, in use, the angle can be adjusted in discrete steps.

In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, can be removed from the outer cot completely.

In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, has a section which is selectively disposable in a closed or an open position. In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, has an upper section which is selectively disposable in a closed or an open position.

In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, comprises hinges which allow a section to be opened and closed. In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, comprises hinges which allow an upper section to be opened and closed.

In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, is attachable to the headboard and footboard of the outer cot via fixing means which comprise releasable fixing means. The releasable fixing means can, for example, include releasable fasteners such as zip fasteners, press studs (poppers), lacing, cooperating loop-type and hook-type strips (Velcro®), or releasable clips. In an embodiment, the releasable fixing means comprise releasable clips. In an embodiment, the releasable fixing means comprise releasable childproof clips.

In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the inner carry-cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, is attachable to the headboard and footboard of the inner carry-cot cot via fixing means which comprise releasable fixing means. The releasable fixing means can, for example, include releasable fasteners such as zip fasteners, press studs (poppers), lacing, cooperating loop-type and hook-type strips (Velcro®), or releasable clips. In an embodiment, the releasable fixing means comprise zip fasteners.

In an embodiment, at least one of the side walls of the outer cot comprises one or more viewing windows, e.g., made from transparent, translucent, or mesh material. Such viewing windows can allow the caregiver and the baby to be able to see each other when the baby is inside the outer cot, which can encourage bonding and is peaceful for both for the baby and the caregiver.

In an embodiment, at least one of the side walls of the inner carry-cot comprises one or more viewing windows, e.g., made from transparent, translucent, or mesh material. Such viewing windows can allow the caregiver and the baby to be able to see each other when the baby is inside the inner carry-cot.

In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the inner carry-cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, comprises a viewing layer and an opaque layer. The viewing layer can, for example, be made from transparent, translucent, or mesh material. The opaque layer can, for example, be a fabric layer. In an embodiment, the at least one side wall of the inner carry-cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, comprises a mesh layer and a fabric layer. In an embodiment, the viewing layer and the opaque layer can be opened independently of each other via releasable fixing means, such as, for example, releasable fasteners such as zip fasteners, press studs (poppers), lacing, cooperating loop-type and hook-type strips (Velcro®), or releasable clips. In an embodiment, the releasable fixing means comprise zip fasteners. This arrangement can, for example, allow the opaque layer to be opened without necessarily also opening the viewing layer, e.g. via a zipper arrangement. The caregiver can therefore choose the setting depending on their wishes, for example depending on the setting which will best settle the baby.

In an embodiment, both of the side walls of the outer cot are selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position. This allows the user to position the sleeping unit on either side of the bed while still being able to open the side of the sleeping unit which faces the bed.

In an embodiment, both of the side walls of the inner carry-cot are selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position. In an embodiment, the inner carry-cot further comprises a removable lining or cover. This can enhance the ease of cleaning the sleeping unit, which improves hygiene.

In an embodiment, the inner carry-cot further comprises holding means for gripping in a user's hand when, in use, the inner carry-cot is carried in a hand. In an embodiment, the holding means comprises one or more handles. This can allow the inner carry-cot to be lifted out of the outer cot more easily, and it can allow the inner carry-cot to be carried around more easily.

In an embodiment, the sleeping unit further comprises a mattress. The mattress may be extendable or variable in size. In an embodiment, the mattress fits snugly into the inner carry-cot, and the mattress can be extended to also fit snugly into the outer cot. This may, for example, be achieved by the mattress comprising (i) a main portion which is arranged to fit snugly into the smaller inner carry-cot, and (ii) an extension portion which is connectable to the main portion to form a larger mattress which is arranged to fit snugly into the outer cot.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Moreover the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following examples. Generally speaking the invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims and drawings). Thus features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. Moreover unless stated otherwise, any feature disclosed herein may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same or a similar purpose.

Where upper and lower limits are quoted for a property, then a range of values defined by a combination of any of the upper limits with any of the lower limits may also be implied.

Specific description

Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, of which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the sleeping unit of the invention with the outer cot's support platform positioned about halfway up the headboard, footboard and side walls.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the sleeping unit of the invention in which one side wall of the outer cot has been removed from the cot completely; the removed side wall and the releasable fasteners for holding it in place are not shown.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention in which the inner carry-cot has been removed from the outer cot, with the outer cot's support platform positioned at the bottom of the headboard, footboard and side walls. Figure 4a shows a perspective view of the outer cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention in which one side wall of the outer cot has been removed from the cot completely, with some detail omitted for clarity. Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the outer cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention in which one side wall of the outer cot has an upper section disposed in an open position.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the inner carry-cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention.

Figure 5b shows a perspective view of the inner carry-cot in Figure 5a in which a fabric layer of a side wall has been opened, leaving a mesh layer closed.

Figure 5c shows a perspective view of the inner carry-cot in Figure 5a in which a side wall consisting of both a mesh layer and a fabric layer has been opened. Figure 6 shows an arrangement by which the outer cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention is attached to an end post.

Figure 7 shows angle-adjustment means by which the outer cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention is attached to an end post.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the outer cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention in which the outer cot's support platform is positioned at an angle of about 10° from horizontal.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the outer cot in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the outer cot of an embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention together with a mattress comprising a main portion and an extension portion, with some detail omitted for clarity.

The embodiment of the sleeping unit of the invention shown in Figures 1-10 comprises inner carry-cot 1, outer cot 2, end post 3 and foot 20. Inner carry-cot 1 fits within outer cot 2, and inner carry-cot 1 is supported on support platform 4.

Apart from support platform 4, outer cot 2 is made up of a headboard 5, a footboard 6, and two side walls 7a, 7b. The support platform 4 of the outer cot is selectively positionable at different heights relative to the top edges of the headboard, footboard and side walls of the outer cot; in Figures 1, 2, 4a and 4b the support platform is positioned about halfway up the headboard 5, footboard 6 and side walls 7a, 7b, and in Figures 3 and 8-10 the support platform is positioned at the bottom of the headboard 5, footboard 6 and side walls 7a, 7b. The support platform 4 is connected to the headboard and footboard of the outer cot via a bolt and bracket system, which allows the height to be adjusted.

Inner carry-cot 1 is made up of a headboard 8, a footboard 9, two side walls 10a, 10b and a base 11.

In the embodiment shown, both side walls 7a and 7b of outer cot 2 can be opened and closed. The side walls 7a, 7b comprise a rigid material such as, for example, wood, and the side walls 7a, 7b are attached to the headboard 5 and the footboard 6 with releasable childproof clips 17. Both side walls 7a and 7b of outer cot 2 contain viewing windows which can be made from transparent, translucent or mesh material. Side walls 7a, 7b have an upper section which can be opened and closed by only opening the upper clips 17, and bending the side wall via hinges 19. Figure 4b shows the upper section of side wall 7b in its open position. Both side walls 10a and 10b of inner carry-cot 1 can be opened and closed with zippers 18.

As shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, side wall 10b of inner carry-cot 1 consists of inner mesh layer 10c and outer fabric layer lOd. The fabric layer lOd can be opened without necessarily also opening mesh layer 10c via a zipper arrangement. Side wall 10a also consists of an inner mesh layer and an outer fabric layer.

Inner carry-cot 1 also comprises handles 12, one handle being attached to each of side walls 10a and 10b. Headboard 8 of outer cot 2 is attached to end post 3 via easy-release hook 13 near the top edge of the headboard. Near the bottom edge of the headboard 8, the headboard is also attached to end post 3 via a pivot mechanism consisting of bar 14, which is attached to and running substantially vertically alongside end post 3, and loop 15, which is attached to headboard 8.

This arrangement means that the height of the outer cot 2 is easily adjustable relative to end post 3 by hooking easy-release hook 13 into the desired one of a series of corresponding apertures 16 in end post 3. At the same time, when easy- release hook 13 is unhooked from any of its apertures 16, loop 15 can slide down along bar 14 to its resting position at the point where bar 14 is attached to end post 3, and the whole outer cot 2 can pivot round until the outer cot 2 rests on the bottom edge of footboard 6.

In the embodiment shown, the end post 3 attaches to a foot 20 which runs under the outer cot 2, and therefore the lower edge of the footboard 6 can rest on the foot 20. A bumper 21 is positioned on the foot 20 at the point where the bottom edge of the footboard 6 rests on the foot 20.

The sleeping unit can also comprise a mattress 22. Figure 10 shows a mattress 22 comprising a main portion 22a and an extension portion 22b relative to the outer cot 2. The main portion 22a fits snugly into the inner carry-cot 1. When the extension portion 22b is connected to the main portion 22a to form a larger mattress, this larger mattress fits snugly into the outer cot 2.

In use, during the first three months of a baby's life, when the baby requires a shallow side height, the outer cot 2 would be used with the inner carry-cot 1 inside it. The height of the inner carry-cot 1 can be adjusted both by varying the height of the outer cot 2 relative to the end post 3 and by adjusting the height of the support platform 4 relative to the headboard, footboard and side walls of the outer cot 2. The base of the baby's bed can therefore be adjusted so that it is at the same level as the adult mattress. Once one of the side walls 7a or 7b of the outer cot 2 has either been removed or partially folded down, the removable sides 10a, 10b of the inner carry-cot 1 enable the baby to be easily retrieved without the need for bending down. As the sides 10a, 10b have two layers - a solid fabric layer lOd and a mesh inner layer 10c - the user is able to choose the setting depending on their wishes. The inner carry-cot 1 also features handles 12 so that the carry-cot can be easily transported.

During the third to sixth months of a baby's life the baby can require a deeper side height. To increase the side height of the outer cot, the side walls 7a and 7b of the outer cot 2 are left attached and the support platform of the outer cot is lowered relative to the top edges of the headboard and footboard of the outer cot. During this stage of a baby's life the inner carry-cot 1 may be removed from the outer cot 2. The side walls 7a, 7b of the outer cot 2 can still be partially folded down via a horizontal hinge; by having the side hinged horizontally, the caregiver is able to reach into the cot more easily to lift the baby.

The method by which the outer cot 2 is attached to the end post 3 can be altered to change the angle of outer cot 2, which can alleviate reflux and sickness in the infant. This may be done by releasing the outer cot at the top of the headboard 8, which results in it pivoting at the bottom of the headboard 8 of the outer cot 2, while the foot end of the outer cot 2 comes to rest on the lower end of the end post 3. By raising the head end of the outer cot 2, and hence the baby's head, in this way, rather than with, for example, a wedge under the baby's head, the side height of the cot is also fully retained.

Claims

1. A sleeping unit suitable for placement alongside a bed, the sleeping unit comprising:

wherein the inner carry-cot is sized to fit substantially within the outer cot and is arranged to be supportable on the support platform of the outer cot.

2. The sleeping unit of claim 1, wherein the support platform of the outer cot is selectively positionable at different heights relative to the top edges of the headboard and footboard of the outer cot.

3. The sleeping unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeping unit further comprises height-adjustment means for positioning the outer cot at different heights relative to the floor.

4. The sleeping unit of claim 3, wherein the outer cot is suspended from an end post, and the outer cot is selectively positionable at different heights relative to the end post.

5. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeping unit comprises angle-adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the outer cot relative to the floor such that, in use, the height of the outer cot above the floor at the footboard end can be raised or lowered relative to the height of the outer cot above the floor at the headboard end.

6. The sleeping unit of claim 5, wherein, in use, the angle-adjustment means allows the angle of the outer cot relative to the floor to be adjusted to from 0 to 35° from horizontal.

7. The sleeping unit of claim 5 or 6, wherein, in use, the angle of the outer cot relative to the floor can be adjusted in discrete steps.

8. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, can be removed from the outer cot completely.

9. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, has a section which is selectively disposable in a closed or an open position.

10. The sleeping unit of claim 9, wherein the at least one side wall of the outer cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, has an upper section which is selectively disposable in a closed or an open position.

11. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the side walls of the outer cot comprises one or more viewing windows.

12. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the side walls of the inner carry-cot comprises one or more viewing windows.

13. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the least one of the side wall of the inner carry-cot, which is selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position, comprises a viewing layer and an opaque layer.

14. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein both of the side walls of the outer cot are selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position.

15. The sleeping unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein both of the side walls of the inner carry-cot are selectively disposable in either a closed or an open position.