GB2480661A

GB2480661A - Cot safety enclosure with canopy

Info

Publication number: GB2480661A
Application number: GB1008887A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evangelia Drakouli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-27
Filing date: 2010-05-27
Publication date: 2011-11-30
Also published as: GB201016034D0; GB2480710A; GB201008887D0

Abstract

A safety device for a cot, crib or play pen comprises of a five sided enclosure to be situated within a cot with a tent type canopy 7 having an opening closed by zip fasteners (11, figure 1). The device also comprises a plurality of fastening straps 3 along the outside of the enclosure, a plurality of sleeves or pockets (14, figure 1) attached to the exterior of the enclosure for securing cot bumpers or padding to the device, a set of fastening extensions 23 for attachment of the device to a convertible cot and a sliding fabric loop (figure 2) hanging from the centre of the canopy, for attachment of mobiles or other toys. The device may be formed of flame retardant mesh. The bumper sleeves may be formed from a number of flaps 35.

Description

Cot Safety Device This invention relates to an improved cot safety device for protecting infants and toddlers whilst sleeping or playing in the interior of a cot or travel-cot. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cot and travel-cot enclosure with a canopy, primarily comprising a plurality of fastening straps tightly attached along the periphery of all sides of the exterior of the enclosure for making it sturdy, a plurality of bumper sleeves attached to the exterior of the enclosure for securing a cot bumper on the device, a set of fastening means extensions for the attachment of the device into the new model of convertible cribs, a pair of zip fasteners forming an opening to the canopy closing to the top part of the opening for preventing children from reaching them and a sliding fabric ioop, attached to the centre of the top in the interior of the canopy, for hanging cot mobiles.

When infants and toddlers, from this point generally referred to as "children", are sleeping or playing in their cots or travel-cots, from this point generally referred to as "cots", they are in need for extra protection because most of the time they cannot be supervised properly, since it is inevitable while parents or guardians, from this point generally referred to as "carers", who are distracted, either because they are asleep or do any other activity, to be absolutely focused on their children.

Since the invention of the cot that is a device, which is supposed to keep children safe during their sleep or play, various prior art devices have been invented to keep children protected from being harmed or trapped whilst being in their cots. Most of these devices try to minimise the dangers children might come across whilst being kept in their cots e.g. having their fingers or toes trapped between the banisters of the cot, getting seriously injured in their attempt to climb off their cot, being bitten by insects or attacked by pets while in their cots, being bothered or injured by their older siblings etc. More useful of these prior art cot attachments are of the type of a five sided cot enclosure with an attached canopy for the top of the cot. Although, there have been a lot of inventions based on this serious matter i.e. the safety of the children while being in a cot, which have been improved throughout the years from the first devices for this purpose, there is still need for further improvement on the above prior art, with respect to it, because there are still a lot of problems to be solved that are extremely important for the safety and the comfort of the children as well as the relief of their carers, too.

Most of the above prior art cot attachments, of the type of a five sided cot enclosure with a canopy and mainly the U.S. Patent No. 6,550,083 issued on 22nd August 2003 to LaMantia titled "CRIB AND PLAYPEN PROTECTIVE COVERING" that is the preferred embodiment of the prior art relevant cot enclosures with a canopy, which the present invention improves upon, lack in at least one of the following important safety objects, which the present invention provides solution for.

One object that most of the above prior art cot enclosures lack in, is the fact that the enclosure, in most cases made of mesh fabric or netting, is not sturdy enough, because it does not have supporting elements around the panels of the device and this makes the netting loose and easy for an active toddler to pull it and eventually rip it.

Another object that most of the above prior art enclosures lack in, is the fact that the enclosure does not provide space for a cot bumper, which is a very important safety device, especially for the infants, who get easily injured. Although, it could be assumed easy to be used in combination with a separate cot bumper, this does not function for most conventional cots, which have at least an adjustable side and the multitude of the ties of two devices around the banisters, prevents the proper use of this function of the cot. In addition to this, the basic ties of most cot enclosures do not leave sufficient space for the proper fitting of the conventional cot bumpers.

Another object that most of the above prior art enclosures lack in, is the fact that the enclosure that is designed to fit conventional cots, does not fit the modern type of convertible cots, which have sides of different height i.e. one side is higher than the other.

An object that most of the above prior art enclosures with a canopy lack in, is the fact that the opening of the canopy is fastened by a single zip fastener that closes to the left or the right side of the canopy, which is very close to the level of the top rail of the cot.

Although, in some of them the single zip fastener cannot be accessed by the children in the cot, it is easily accessible from their siblings outside of the cot, who can enter the cot and wake the children up or attack the children in the cot.

Another object that most of the above prior art enclosures with a canopy lack in, is the fact that they do not provide means to allow carers put a cot-mobile that is one of the most beloved accessories for infants and also helps them stay calm and happy.

To overcome the problems explained before, the present invention promotes a cot safety device of the prior art concept of a five sided cot enclosure with a canopy, comprising a plurality of fastening straps tightly attached along the periphery of all sides of the exterior of the enclosure for making it sturdy, a plurality of mesh bumper sleeves attached to the exterior of the enclosure for securing a cot bumper on the device, a set of fastening means extensions for the attachment of the device into the new model of convertible cots, a pair of zip fasteners, forming an opening to the canopy, closing to the top part of the opening for preventing children from reaching them and a sliding fabric loop, attached to the centre of the top in the interior of the canopy, for hanging cot mobiles.

The present invention uses the preferred concept of a five sided cot enclosure, which may be manufactured using four vertical panels, preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric and a bottom support panel, preferably made of the same mesh fabric or other suitable fabric, with an attached canopy for the top of the cot, which may be manufactured using a pop-up or conventional camping tent type canopy, preferably made of the above mesh fabric, with at least one opening, preferably at the front part of the canopy, for permitting access into the interior of the cot and preferably with a zip fastener, extending around the perimeter of the top of the enclosure, at the level of the top rails of the cot and connecting the enclosure with the removable canopy, for offering protection to children and preventing them from being harmed, trapped or injured, whilst sleeping or playing in a cot as well as preventing insects or pets entering the cot.

One object of the present invention is to provide a sturdy cot safety device, comprising fastening straps, preferably made of densely woven polyester fabric, tightly attached, preferably double stitched, along the periphery of all side panels of the exterior of the enclosure, with sets of fastening means, preferably hook and ioop fasteners, attached, preferably stitched, onto each of the fastening straps along each of the two side panels for securing the side panels of the enclosure onto the vertical side banisters of the cot.

The said fastening straps may extend to a pair of longer straps, preferably made of the same densely woven polyester fabric, with at least a set of long, at least half of the size of the extended straps, fastening means, preferably hook and loop tapes, attached, preferably stitched, onto the extended fastening straps, for wrapping around the headboard and the footboard of the cot.

This object of the present invention provides a cot safety device, which is sturdy with strong supporting elements around the panels of the device and prevents the mesh fabric from being loose and consequently makes it unlikely for an active toddler to pull it or rip it and get injured by it.

Another object of the present invention is to provide space for placing a cot bumper onto the device, comprising a plurality of bumper-sleeves, preferably six of them, preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric, attached to the exterior of the enclosure in the interior of the cot, also attached parallel to the lower and middle peripheral fastening straps and fully attached, preferably stitched, onto them from the top and the bottom side of each bumper-sleeve and with a wide opening at both sides of each bumper-sleeve for permitting the feeding and removing of a cot bumper. The said bumper-sleeves, preferably two of them, may be attached, preferably stitched, onto the side panels of the cot and at least one of the said bumper-sleeves may be attached, preferably stitched, onto the side panels, for the headboard and the footboard, of the enclosure.

A modification of the same object of the present invention, comprising a plurality of flaps, preferably four of them, preferably made of the above mesh fabric, attached respectively to the exterior of the four sides of the enclosure in the interior of the cot, also attached, parallel to the lower fastening strap and fully attached, preferably stitched, onto it only from the bottom side of each flap. The top side of the said flaps closes to the middle fastening strap of the enclosure and secures on it with fastening means, preferably hook and loop tapes, which may be respectively stitched at the top side of each flap and peripherally along the middle fastening strap. All the flaps create a wide pocket for inclosing a cot bumper.

This object of the present invention provides a cot safety device, which may be surrounded by mesh bumper-sleeves or mesh panels that provide space for securing a cot bumper onto the enclosure through the said mesh bumper sleeves or the said mesh panels and provides freedom to the cares of the children to use the adjustable side of most conventional cots and also provides easy access to the carer, to replace or remove a cot bumper e.g. to wash it when dirty, while the cot safety device is attached into the cot, without the need to remove the enclosure first.

II is still another object of the present invention to provide a cot safety device with means for securing the cot safety device into the modem type of convertible cots, comprising a plurality of fastening means extensions, preferably six sets of hook and loop fasteners, which may be wrapped around the top rail of the highest side of the convertible cots and secure onto the attached fastening means, at the top fastening strap of the one side of the exterior of the enclosure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cot safety device with an inaccessible zipper opening on the front side of the canopy, comprising a pair of zipper fasteners, preferably a set of two sliding tabs, which may close to the top of the opening of the canopy and prevents siblings from opening the zippers and entering the cot and therefore provides a complete safe environment for the children in cot.

Finally, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a cot safety device, which may contain means for hanging a cot mobile in the interior of the cot, comprising a sliding fabric loop attached by any suitable means to the internal centre of the top of the canopy for hanging cot mobiles or any other toys for children.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the front side of the preferred embodiment of the improved cot safety device.

Figure 2 shows a cut-away view of the sliding fabric loop, attached to the centre of the interior of the top of the canopy.

Figure 3 shows a cut-away perspective view of the mesh bumper sleeves attached to the enclosure of the cot safety device.

Figure 4 shows a cut-away view of a bumper-sleeve.

Figure 5 shows a cut-away view of the zip fasteners at the opening of the top of the canopy.

Figure 6 shows a sectional perspective view of the zip fastener in the interior of the top part of the enclosure.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the back side of an embodiment of the improved cot safety device.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the back side of an embodiment of the improved cot safety device, along with a convertible cot.

The improved cot safety device 1 of the present invention is for conventional and convertible cots 40 or travel-cots, of the type of a five sided cot enclosure 8 with a pop-up or conventional camping tent type canopy 7, comprising, fastening means 2,70,99 tightly attached along the periphery of all sides 25, 26, 27, 28 of the exterior of the enclosure 8, bumper enclosing means 14 attached to the exterior of the cot enclosure, fastening means extension 23, a pair of zip fasteners 11 closing to the top part of the opening 19 of the canopy 7, and a sliding fabric loop 13 hung from the exterior into the centre of the top 10 in the interior of the canopy 7.

The cot safety device 1 of the present invention uses the preferred concept of a prior art five sided cot enclosure 8, which may be manufactured using four vertical panels 25, 26, 27, 28, preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric 18 and a bottom support panel 29, preferably made of the same mesh fabric 18 or other suitable fabric, with an attached canopy 7 for the top of the cot, which may be manufactured using a pop-up or conventional camping tent type canopy 7, preferably made of the above mesh fabric 18, with at least one opening 19, preferably at the front part of the canopy 7, for permitting access into the interior of the cot and preferably with a zip fastener 9, extending around the perimeter of the top of the enclosure 8, at the level of the top rails of the cot 40 and connecting the enclosure 8 with the removable canopy 7. The said cot enclosure 8 with the said canopy 7 provides protection to children from insects and pets and prevents them from climbing off their cots.

The cot safety device 1 is designed to fit in the interior of a conventional or convertible cot 40. More specifically, it may be manufactured to divide in two parts, the first part of the improved enclosure 8, which is designed to attach respectively to all sides of the interior of a five sided conventional or convertible cot 40, as shown in Figure 8, and the second part of the improved canopy 7, which is designed to cover the top of a conventional or convertible cot 40, as shown in the said Figure 8.

The cot safety device 1 of the present invention provides a sturdy enclosure 8, comprising fastening straps 2, preferably made of densely woven polyester fabric, tightly attached, preferably double stitched, along the periphery of all side panels 25, 26, 27, 28 of the exterior of the enclosure 8, with sets of fastening means 3, preferably hook and loop fasteners 4, attached, preferably stitched, onto each of the fastening straps 2 along each of the two side panels 25, 28 for securing the side panels 25, 28 of the enclosure onto the vertical side banisters 59 of the cot 40. The said fastening straps 2 may extend to a pair of longer straps 5, preferably made of the same densely woven polyester fabric, with at least a set of long, at least half of the size of the extended straps 5, fastening means 6, preferably hook and ioop tapes 6, attached, preferably stitched, onto the extended fastening straps 5, for wrapping around the headboard 53 and the footboard 55 of the cot 40, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 8.

The present invention provides a cot safety device 1, which is sturdy with strong supporting elements 2, 70, 99, around the panels 25, 26, 27, 28 of the device 1 and prevents the mesh fabric 18 from being loose and consequently makes it unlikely to be pulled or ripped.

The cot safety device 1 of the present invention is to provide space 14, 34 for placing a cot bumper onto the device 1, comprising a plurality of bumper-sleeves 14, 34, preferably six of them, preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric 18, attached to the exterior of the enclosure 8 in the interior of the cot 40, also attached parallel to the lower 2 and middle 70 peripheral fastening straps and fully attached, preferably stitched, onto them 2, 70 from the top and the bottom side of each bumper-sleeve 14, 34, as shown in detail in Figure 3, and with a wide opening 15, as shown in detail in Figure 4, at both sides of each bumper-sleeve 14, 34 for permitting the feeding and removing of a cot bumper. The said bumper-sleeves 14, 34, preferably two of them, may be attached, preferably stitched, onto the side panels 25, 28 of the cot enclosure 8 and at least one of the said bumper-sleeves 34 may be attached, preferably stitched, onto the side panels 26, 27, respectively for the headboard 53 and the footboard 55 of the cot 40, of the enclosure 8.

A modification of the cot safety device 1 of the present invention, comprising a plurality of flaps 35, preferably four of them, as shown in detail in Figure 7 and Figure 8, preferably made of the above mesh fabric 18, attached respectively to the exterior of the four sides 25, 26, 27, 28, of the enclosure 8 in the interior of the cot 40, also attached, parallel to the lower fastening strap 2 and fully attached, preferably stitched, onto it 2 only from the bottom side 36 of each flap 35. The top side 37 of the said flaps closes to the middle fastening strap 70 of the enclosure 8 and secures on it with fastening means 38, preferably hook and ioop tapes 38, which may be respectively stitched at the top side 37 of each flap 35 and peripherally along the middle fastening strap 70. All the flaps 35 create a wide pocket 39 for enclosing a cot bumper.

The present invention provides a cot safety device 1, which may be surrounded by mesh bumper-sleeves 14, 34, as shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 and Figure 4, or mesh flaps 35, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8, that provide space 15, 39 for securing a cot bumper onto the enclosure 8 through the said mesh bumper-sleeves 14, 34 or the said mesh flaps 35 and provides freedom to the cares of the children to use the adjustable side of most conventional cots and also provides easy access for the carer, to replace or remove a cot bumper e.g. to wash it when dirty, while the cot safety device 1 is attached into the cot 40, without the need to remove the enclosure 8 first.

It is still another embodiment of the present invention to provide a cot safety device 1 with means 23 for securing the cot safety device 1 into the modern type of convertible cots 40, comprising a plurality of fastening means extensions 23, preferably six sets of hook and ioop fasteners 23, which may be wrapped around the top rail of the highest side 52 of the convertible cot 40 and secure onto the attached fastening means 41, at the top fastening strap 99 of the one side 28 of the exterior of the enclosure 8. Although, the said embodiment of the cot safety device 1, as shown in detail in Figure 7 and Figure 8, is respectively attached to the top rail of the highest side 52 and the top rail of the lowest side 54 of a convertible cot, as shown in detail in Figure 8, it maintains the canopy 7 balance at the same level by the said adjustable fastening means extensions 23, which add a use to the cot safety device along with a convertible cot, as shown in Figure 8.

The present invention provides a cot safety device 1 with an inaccessible zipper 12, at the opening 19 on the front side of the canopy 7, comprising a pair of zipper fasteners 11, preferably a set of two sliding tabs 11, which 11 may close to the top 1 lof the opening 19, as shown in detail in Figure 5, of the canopy 7 and prevents siblings from opening the zippers 11 and entering the cot and therefore provides a safe environment for the children in cot.

The present invention provides a cot safety device 1, which may contain means 13 for hanging a cot mobile in the interior of the cot enclosure 8, comprising a sliding fabric loop 13 attached by any suitable means to the internal centre 10 of the top of the canopy 7 for hanging cot mobiles or any other toys for children. The said sliding fabric ioop 13, as shown in detail in Figure 2, being detachable and easy to slide out and secure, by any suitable fastening means 84, on the external top of the canopy 7, to prevent children from getting their little fingers trapped into the fabric loop 13 and injured when standing in cot.

Claims

Claims 1. An improved cot safety device for conventional and convertible cots or travel-cots, of the type of a five sided cot enclosure with a pop-up or conventional camping tent type canopy, comprising fastening means tightly attached along the periphery of all sides of the exterior of the enclosure, bumper enclosing means attached to the exterior of the cot enclosure, fastening means extension, a pair of zip fasteners closing to the top part of the opening of the canopy, and a sliding fabric loop hung from the exterior into the centre of the top in the interior of the canopy.
2. A cot safety device according to claim 1, in which the fastening means is preferably provided by a plurality of fastening straps, tightly attached along the periphery of all sides of the exterior of the canopy.
3. A cot safety device according to claim 1, in which the bumper enclosing means is preferably provided by a plurality of bumper sleeves, attached to the exterior of the cot enclosure.
4. A cot safety device according to claim 1, in which the fastening means extension is preferably provided by a plurality of detachable fastening means extensions securing onto the highest side of convertible cots.
5. A cot safety device according to claim 2, in which the fastening straps are preferably made of densely woven polyester fabric.
6. A cot safety device according to claim 3, in which the bumper sleeves are preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric.
7. A cot safety device according to claim 1, in which the sliding fabric loop is preferably secured to the external part of the canopy, with fastening means, when detached from the interior of the canopy.
8. A cot safety device according to claim 1, in which another embodiment of the bumper enclosing means is provided by a plurality of flaps attached to the exterior of the enclosure, at least from their bottom side, and secured with fastening means on the sides of the enclosure, creating bumper pockets.
9. A cot safety device according to claim 8, in which the bumper pockets are preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric.
10. A cot safety device according to the preceding claims, which is preferably made of flame retardant ventilated mesh fabric.