Foldable Mattress Topper for Play Yards and Related Methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable mattress topper apparatus and related methods for increasing the safety and comfort of children in play pens or play yards.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the priority of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61 / 636,622 (filed on Apr. 20, 2012) entitled “Foldable Mattress Topper for Play Yards and Related Methods” and its contents are incorporated by reference in their entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of Invention[0004]The present application is within the field of portable and foldable mattress toppers, mattress, mat, pad, or topper.[0005]2. Background of the Invention[0006]Parents are frequently concerned with the safety and comfort of their children. For this reason, parents often confine their children within a play pen or play yard (during child's play or sleep) so that they may monitor the safety and comfort of the children's restricted environment. Play pens or play yards are not always entirely safe for child's play because the pens / yards have hard floor surfaces whe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is an objective of this application to provide a foldable mattress topper for placement over the floor of a child's play pen or play yard, wherein said mattress topper (1) increases the safety and comfort of a play yard, (2) is aesthetically pleasing when in a folded state, and (3) is easy to clean. In one embodiment the mattress topper is comprised of three side-by-side sections, said sections having an aesthetically pleasing top surface and a durable base surface, said sections being connected so that: (A) a first side section may be folded over the central section so that the base surfaces of the first side and central sections interface; and (b) a second side section may be folded over the first and central section so the base surface of the second side section interfaces with the top surface of the first side section. In one mode of operation, the mattress topper may be unfolded so that the cushions may be placed side-by-side over the floor of a play pen or play area. In another suitable mode of operation, the folded mattress topper may be provided with a sleeve having a handle so that the mattress topper may be easily toted. In yet another mode of operation, the mattress topper comprises a cushion and a cover, whereby the mattress top per may be removed so that the cover can be cleansed.

Problems solved by technology

Play pens or play yards are not always entirely safe for child's play because the pens / yards have hard floor surfaces where children can fall and be injured.

Play pens or play yards are also not always entirely suitable for all sleeping children because the pens' / yards' hard floor surfaces are uncomfortable.

Pads exist for placement in the floor of a play pen or yard to provide safety and comfort, but these pads either (1) do not provide sufficient padding to the surface of the play pen for safety, or are too soft whereby the children can suffocate if their faces become covered or buried in the pad while sleeping.

However, even if such pads increase the safety or comfort of the portable pens / yards, such pads have not always been satisfactory for their intended uses because (1) the pads may be unattractive in their portable appearance and (2) the pads that come with the products are too hard for adequate comfort and safety for the child.

Finally, pads placed in play pens or play yards frequently become dirty.

Sometimes, pads which provide safety or comfort are difficult to clean and, therefore, not entirely satisfactory for their intended purposes.

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