CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, co-pending U.S. provisional application entitled "Swaddle Safety System" having serial no. 62/106,779, filed January 23, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Recent studies have shown that infants who are swaddled before being put to bed sleep better and sleep longer than infants who are not swaddled before being put to bed. Wrapping infants snugly may help calm their startle reflex, so that they do not hit and wake themselves during sleep. Good quality sleep for infants has been linked to brain development, making it important for infants to get the full amount of sleep recommended. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation are also prevalent causes of infant mortality. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that there is a reduced risk of SIDS for infants who sleep on their backs compared to infants who do not sleep on their backs. Having the infant sleep on its back also minimizes the chance of suffocation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a drawing of an example of a swaddle safety system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] FIGS. 2 through 7 are drawings illustrating various examples of affixing mechanisms of the swaddle safety system of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 8 includes top and cross-sectional views of an example of a securing strap of the swaddle safety system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] In the following discussion, a general description of the system and its components is provided, followed by a discussion of specific embodiments of the same. Embodiments of the disclosure include various attachments, methods, and mechanisms that may be used to facilitate a safe sleeping environment for infants. Such attachments, methods, and mechanisms can be employed in various ways to prevent infants from rolling over while they are asleep, thereby providing a safe sleeping environment for infants.

[0008] With reference to FIG. 1 , shown is an example of a swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in various ways. As shown in FIG. 1 , the safety system 100 can include a swaddle garment 103, and a surface cover 106 (e.g., a fitted sheet) that can be fixed in position on a mattress of a crib or bed, and affixing mechanisms 109 that can be used to secure the swaddle garment 103 in position on the surface cover 106. The swaddle garment 103 can include a zipper 1 12, buttons, clips, or other fastening mechanism to close an opening through which an infant can be inserted into the swaddle garment 103 as can be appreciated. When the infant is enclosed in the swaddle garment 103, the startle reflex can be calmed by restricting movement of the infant's arms and/or legs.

[0009] The swaddle garment 103 also includes two or more affixing mechanisms 109 located on opposite sides of the swaddle garment 103. The affixing mechanisms 109 can attach the outer edges of a torso region 1 15 of the swaddle garment 103 to the surface cover 103. The affixing mechanisms 109 allow the swaddle garment 103 to be detachably attached to the surface cover 106. With the infant in the swaddle garment 103 and lying on the surface cover 106, the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 can be located at a height of about 2-3 inches above the surface cover 106. The distance between the outer edge and the underlying surface cover 106 can be accommodated using an extension piece such as cord, webbing or strapping, which can be a fixed length or variable length (e.g., elastic). The extension piece can be secured to the swaddle garment 103 as part of the affixing mechanisms 109, secured to the surface cover 106, or can be detachably attached to both the swaddle garment 103 and the surface cover 106. The affixing mechanisms 109 can include for example, buttons and/or buttonholes, snap buttons and/or snaps, Velcro ^® , rings and/or hooks, and other appropriate fastener or combination of fasteners that allows the swaddle garment 103 to be affixed to the surface cover 106. While the examples of FIGS. 1 -5 illustrate four affixing mechanisms 109 with two on each side of the swaddle garment 103, other sets of affixing mechanisms 109 can be used. For example, two affixing mechanisms 109 (e.g., one each side) can be used as shown in FIG. 6.

[0010] The surface cover 106 can be a fitted sheet, mattress cover, or any other cover on which an infant can sleep. When the surface cover 106 is secured to a mattress and attached to the swaddle garment 103, an infant in the swaddle garment 103 is prevented from rolling over. In some implementations, the surface cover 106 can be a mat (e.g., a floor mat) on which the infant can sleep. The mat can be sufficiently rigid and/or weighted to prevent the infant in the swaddle garment 103 from turning over when secured to the mat.

[0011] With reference to FIG. 2, shown is an example of the swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The back of the swaddle garment 103 is depicted with the affixing mechanisms 109 including a snap stud 203 and a snap socket 206. The snap studs 203 secure the swaddle garment 103 to the surface cover 106 when they are snapped into the corresponding snap sockets 206. For example, the snap studs 203 can be affixed to the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 of the swaddle garment 103 and the snap sockets 206 are affixed at corresponding positions on the surface cover 106. In the example of FIG. 2, the snap studs 203 are located at the end of extension pieces 209 that are sewn or otherwise secured onto the swaddle garment 103 at various locations along the torso region 1 15 (FIG. 1 ). The snap studs 203 can be sewn on the extension pieces 209, or secured in position using posts or caps, and snap sockets 206 can be sewn onto the surface cover 106, or secured in position using posts or caps. Alternatively, the snap sockets 206 can be affixed to the extension pieces 209 on the swaddle garment 103 and the snap studs 203 can be affixed to the surface cover 103 using the same methods. With the snap studs 203 snapped into the corresponding snap sockets 206, an infant is gently held in position by the swaddle garment 103. The extension pieces 209 can be of non-elastic material that is sufficiently long to allow the infant to be comfortably secured on top of the surface cover 106 preventing the infant from turning over, or can be of elastic material which allows for a limited amount of movement of the infant.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the snap studs 203 can be secured to the swaddle garment 103 along the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 and the snap sockets 206 may be secured to extension pieces that extend from or through the surface cover 106. The extension pieces may be sewn or otherwise secured to the surface cover 106, or may be detachably attached to the surface cover 106 for example, buttons and buttonholes, snap buttons and snaps, Velcro ^® , rings and hooks, and other appropriate fastener or combination of fasteners. The extension pieces can extend away from the surface cover 106, allowing the snap sockets 206 to be snapped onto the corresponding snap studs 203 on the swaddle garment 103. In some implementations, the snap sockets 206 are located on the swaddle garment and the snap studs 203 are located on the extension pieces of the surface cover 106.

[0013] In some embodiments, the extension pieces can include a thin plastic disc secured to an end opposite the snap socket 206 or snap stud 203. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The extension piece can extend through an opening or hole in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to prevent the extension piece from pulling through. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the extension piece from passing through the opening or hole in the surface cover 106.

[0014] In other embodiments, the snap studs 203 and/or snap sockets 206 can be affixed to another surface under the surface cover 106 (e.g., a mattress cover, a mat or the mattress itself), and allowed to be accessed or pass through holes or openings in the surface cover 106. In another embodiment, the snap studs 203 and/or snap sockets 206 can be affixed to a securing strap that can be secured around a mattress under the surface cover 106. The position of the securing strap can be adjusted to allow the snap studs 203 and/or snap sockets 206 on the securing strap to align with the holes or openings in the surface cover 106.

[0015] Referring next to FIG. 3, shown is another example of the swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The back of the swaddle garment 103 is depicted with the affixing mechanisms 109 including buttons 303 and buttonholes 306. The swaddle garment 103 is affixed to the surface cover 106 when the buttons 303 are buttoned into the buttonholes 306 at the end of extension pieces 309. The buttons 303 can be affixed adjacent to the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 of the swaddle garment 103 and the buttonholes 306 are at corresponding positions in the ends of the extension pieces 309 extending from the surface cover 106. The buttons 303 can be sewn onto the swaddle garment 106 and the buttonholes 306 can be cut and stitched into the extension pieces 309. In the example of FIG. 3, the extension pieces 309 extend through holes or openings 312 in the surface cover 103. The extension pieces 309 can be held in position using a fastener that engages with the underside of the surface cover 106. For example, buttons (not shown) can be attached to the other end of the extension pieces 309 that engage with the underside of the surface cover 106 and can be sufficiently large to prevent the extension pieces 309 from pulling through the openings 312. Velcro or other type of fastener may also be used to detachably attach the extension pieces 309 to the underside of the surface cover. In some implementations, the extension pieces 309 can be sewn in place on the surface covering 106. In other embodiments, the swaddle garment 103 can include the buttonholes 306 with the buttons 303 sewn onto the ends of the extension pieces 309 of the surface cover 103.

[0016] In alternative embodiments, extension pieces may extend from the outer edges of the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 (FIG. 1 ) with buttons 303 secured to the ends. The buttons 303 may be placed in button holes (e.g., openings 312) in the surface cover 106 to hold the infant in place. Alternatively, the extension pieces can include button holes at the ends that can be secured to buttons on the surface cover 106.

[0017] In some embodiments, the extension pieces 309 can include a thin plastic disc secured to an end opposite the button 303 or button hole 306. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The extension piece 309 can extend through an opening 312 in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to prevent the extension piece 309 from pulling through. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the extension piece 309 from passing through the opening 312 in the surface cover 106.

[0018] In various embodiments, the extension pieces 309 can be affixed to another surface under the surface cover 106 (e.g., a mattress cover, a mat or the mattress itself), and allowed to be accessed or pass through holes or openings 312 in the surface cover 106. In another embodiment, the extension pieces 309 can be affixed to a securing strap that can be secured around a mattress under the surface cover 106. The position of the securing strap can be adjusted to allow the extension pieces 309 on the securing strap to align with the holes or openings 312 in the surface cover 106. Accordingly, the swaddle garment 106 becomes affixed to the surface cover 103 when the buttonholes 306 are pulled down over the buttons 303.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is another example of the swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The back of the swaddle garment 103 is depicted with affixing mechanisms 109 including hook strips 403 and loop strips 406 (e.g., Velcro ^® ). The swaddle garment 103 is affixed to the surface cover 106 when the hook strips 403 are pressed against the loop strips 406. The hook strips 403 can be affixed at the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 of the swaddle garment 103 and the loop strips 406 can be at corresponding positions on the surface cover 106. The hook strips 403 can be sufficiently long to allow the infant to be comfortably secured on top of the surface cover 106, while preventing the infant from turning over. In other embodiments, the loop strips 406 can be located on the swaddle garment 103 and the hook strips 403 can be located on the surface cover 106. The hook strips 403 and/or loop strips 406 can be sewn onto the swaddle garment 103 and/or the surface cover 106. In some implementations, loop patches can be attached at appropriate positions on the back of the swaddle garment 103 to hold the hook strips 403 against the swaddle garment 103 when it is not attached to the surface cover 106. In some embodiments, the loop patches or hook patches can be secured to a thin plastic disc. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The hook patch or loop patch can pass through an opening or hole in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to hold the hook patch or loop patch against the top of the surface cover 106. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the hook strip or loop strip from passing through the opening or hole in the surface cover 106.

[0020] In alternative embodiments, the loop strips 406 can be affixed to the surface cover 106 such that they can extend outward and be attached to hook strips 403 on the swaddle garment 103. The hook strips 403 can extend from the swaddle garment 103 and overlap with the loop strips 406 when secured together, or the hook strips 403 can be secured to the surface of the swaddle garment 103 adjacent to the outer edge of the torso region 1 15 (FIG. 1 ) with the loop strips 406 extending form the surface cover 106 and attached to the hook strips 403 at the swaddle garment 103. In other implementations, hook strips can extend outward from the surface cover 106 and be attached to loop strips 406 on the swaddle garment 103.

[0021] In some embodiments, the hook strips or loop strips can include a thin plastic disc secured to one end. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The hook strip or loop strip can extend through an opening or hole in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to prevent the hook strip or loop strip from pulling through. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the hook strip or loop strip from passing through the opening or hole in the surface cover 106.

[0022] In other embodiments, hook strips 403 and/or loop strips 406 can be affixed to another surface under the surface cover 106 (e.g., a mattress cover, a mat or the mattress itself), and allowed to be accessed or pass through holes or openings in the surface cover 106. In various embodiments, the hook strips 403 and/or loop strips 406 can be affixed to a securing strap that can be secured around a mattress under the surface cover 106. The position of the securing strap can be adjusted to allow the hook strips 403 and/or loop strips 406 on the securing strap to align with the holes or openings in the surface cover 106. Accordingly, the swaddle garment 106 becomes affixed to the surface cover 103 when the hook strips 403 and loop strips 406 are pressed together.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 5, shown is another example of the swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The back of the swaddle garment 103 is depicted with an affixing mechanism 109 including rings (or grommets) 503 and hooks 506. The swaddle garment 103 is affixed to the surface cover 106 when the rings 503 are passed through the hooks 506. The rings 503 can be affixed adjacent to the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 (FIG. 1 ) of the swaddle garment 103 as illustrated in FIG. 5, or can be located at the end of tabs that extend from the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 similar to the tabs in FIG. 6. The hooks 506 can be located at corresponding positions on the surface cover 106. The rings 503 can be sewn onto or compressed on the swaddle garment 103 (or tabs) and the hooks 506 can be sewn onto the surface cover 106 or by extending the hooks 506 and straps 509 through openings in the surface cover 106 similar to that shown in FIG. 3. In various embodiments, the rings 503 are loops sewn onto the outer edges of the swaddle garment 106. In other embodiments, the hooks 506 can be located on the swaddle garment 106 and the rings 503 can be located on the surface cover 103. The hooks 506 can be sewn onto outer edge of the swaddle garment 106 and the rings 503 can be on straps 509 sewn onto the surface cover 103.

[0024] In some embodiments, the straps 509 can include a thin plastic disc secured to an end opposite the hook 506 or ring 503. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The strap 509 can extend through an opening or hole in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to prevent the strap 506 from pulling through. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the strap 506 from passing through the opening or hole in the surface cover 106.

[0025] In other embodiments, rings 503 and/or hooks 506 can be affixed to another surface under the surface cover 106 (e.g., a mattress cover, a mat or the mattress itself) using, e.g., straps 509, and allowed to be accessed or pass through through holes or openings in the surface cover 106. In various embodiments, the rings 503 and/or hooks 506 can be affixed to a securing strap that can be secured around a mattress under the surface cover 106. The position of the securing strap can be adjusted to allow the rings 503 and/or hooks 506 on the securing strap to align with the holes or openings in the surface cover 106. Accordingly, the swaddle garment 106 becomes affixed to the surface cover 103 when the rings 503 and hooks 506 are clipped together.

[0026] Referring next to FIG. 6, shown is a swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments. The back of the swaddle garment 103 is depicted with affixing mechanisms 109 including tabs affixed to the outer edges of the swaddle garment 103. The tabs can include fasteners such as, e.g., a snap stud 203 (or snap socket 206), a button 303 (or buttonhole 306), a hook strip 403 (or loop strip 406), and/or a ring 503 (or hook 506). In some implementations, the tabs can include one or more ties that can be secured to a loop or ring of the surface cover 106. In some embodiments, additional affixing mechanisms 109 including tabs with fasteners can be affixed to the swaddle garment 103. As previously discussed, the swaddle garment 103 can be held in place on the surface cover 106 by snapping the snap stud 203 (or snap socket 206) into the corresponding snap socket 206 (or snap stud 203), by buttoning the button 303 (or buttonhole 306) to the corresponding buttonhole 306 (or button 303), by pressing the hook strip 403 (or loop strip 406) to the corresponding loop strip 406 (or hook strip 403), and/or by clipping the ring 503 (or hook 506) to the corresponding hook 506 (or ring 503). Other types of fasteners may be affixed to the tabs, as may be appreciated, to allow the swaddle garment 103 to become affixed to the surface cover 106.

[0027] In some embodiments, extension pieces or straps can be used with a thin plastic disc secured to an end opposite the fastener. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The extension piece can extend through an opening or hole in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to prevent the extension piece or strap from pulling through. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the extension piece or strap from passing through the opening or hole in the surface cover 106. In other embodiments, the corresponding fastener can be affixed to another surface under the surface cover 106 or to a securing strap that can be secured around a mattress under the surface cover 106 as previously discussed. The corresponding fastener can be accessed through holes or openings in the surface cover 106.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is another example of the swaddle safety system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The back of the swaddle garment 103 is depicted with affixing mechanisms 109 including loops 703 and straps 706. The swaddle garment 103 is affixed to the surface cover 106 when the straps 706 are secured through the loops 703. The straps 706 can be, e.g., double sided Velcro ^® that can be fastened onto itself around a loop 703 or a cloth strip that can be tied around the loop. In other implementations, the straps 706 can include fasteners (e.g., button and button hole or snap stud and snap socket) that can allow the strap 706 to be fastened about the loop 703. The loops 703 can be affixed on the outer edges of the torso region 1 15 of the swaddle garment 103 and the straps 706 are at corresponding positions in the surface cover 106. In other embodiments, the straps 706 can be located on the outer edges of the swaddle garment 103 and the loops 703 can be located on the surface cover 106. The loops 703 and/or straps 706 can be sewn onto the swaddle garment 103 and/or the surface cover 106.

[0029] In some embodiments, the strap 706 can include a thin plastic disc secured to one end. The plastic disc can be circular or can have another shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, heart, teddy bear, or others appropriate shapes. The strap 706 can extend through an opening or hole in the surface cover 106 with the plastic disc positioned flat against the back or bottom of the surface cover 106 to prevent the strap 706 from pulling through. The plastic disc can be appropriately sized (e.g., 2-3 inches in diameter) to prevent the strap 706 from passing through the opening or hole in the surface cover 106. In some implementations, the loop 703 can be secured to the plastic disc and allowed to extend through the opening or hole. A strap secured to the swaddle garment 103 can then be secured to the loop with the plastic disc preventing the loop from being pulled through the opening or hole.

[0030] In other embodiments, loops 703 and/or straps 706 can be affixed to another surface under the surface cover 106 (e.g., a mattress cover, a mat or the mattress itself), and allowed to be accessed or pass through holes or openings in the surface cover 106. In various embodiments, the loops 703 and/or straps 706 can be affixed to a securing strap that can be secured around a mattress under the surface cover 106. The position of the securing strap can be adjusted to allow the loops 703 and/or straps 706 on the securing strap to align with the holes or openings in the surface cover 106.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 8, shown are top and cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a securing strap 806 of the swaddle safety system 100, which can be used with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The securing strap 803 includes fixing extensions (straps or tabs) 806 that include at least a portion of the affixing mechanisms 109 used to secure the swaddle garment 103. The securing strap 803 can be fastened around a mattress 809 using affixing mechanisms 109 such as, but not limited to, Velcro ^® hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, or other appropriate fastening mechanism. In some implementations, the fixing extensions 806 can include one or more ties that can be secured to a ring 503 (FIG. 5) or loop 703 (FIGS. 7A-7B) of the swaddle garment 103. The securing strap 803 and mattress 809 can be covered by a surface cover 106 such as, e.g., a fitted sheet. The surface cover 106 includes openings or holes 812 that allow the fixing extensions 806 to pass through the surface cover 106 for access to the affixing mechanisms 109. The swaddle garment 103 can be affixed to the fixing extensions 806 using the affixing mechanisms 109 as previously discussed. This implementation allows the surface cover 106 to be changed for cleaning without the need to remove the affixing mechanisms 109.

[0032] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.