A superstructure for mounting on a person's bed

Abstract

A superstructure (1) for mounting on a person's bed to guard the person against inadvertently leaving the bed, comprising an inflatable frame (2) which is fixable to the bed, wherein a 5 mazelike air permeable structure (3) is supported by the frame (2) and closes off entry to within the superstructure (1) and prevents exit from the superstructure (1), which mazelike structure (3) is fixed to a mattress cover (4) which is fixedly mountable on a mattress of the bed, which mazelike air permeable 10 structure (3) is further connectable with a first zipper (5) to the inflatable frame (2), wherein the first zipper (5) is openable only from an outer side of the superstructure (1) which is in use opposite to the side of the bed, wherein the frame (2) comprises legs (13), and wherein each leg (13) has an 15 additional strap (16) for connection with the first zipper (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a superstructure for mounting on a person's bed to guard the person against inadvertently leaving the bed, comprising an inflatable frame which is fixable to the bed, wherein a mazelike air permeable structure is supported by the frame and closes off entry to within the superstructure and exit out of the superstructure, which mazelike structure is fixed to a mattress cover which is fixedly mountable on a mattress of the bed, and which mazelike air permeable structure is further connectable with a first zipper to the inflatable frame, wherein the first zipper is openable only from an outer side of the superstructure which is in use opposite to the side of the bed.

[0002] This superstructure is known from the Internet - see https: / / ww.cloudcuddle.com / en / bedtent / . According to said website the superstructure, which is marketed as the so-called CloudCuddle's portable bed tent, is a solution in particular for families with a disabled child. The bed tent is compact and lightweight. Folded up, the CloudCuddle fits in a weekend bag. Super handy for a weekend away, a night out, or on holiday. There is always room for the CloudCuddle bag. You take this lightweight bed tent with you in the boot of your car. The lightweight bed tent is made in such a way that children with a disability can sleep safely anywhere. You set up the CloudCuddle easily and you don't need a special bed. Every single bed can be turned into a safe bed by mounting the superstructure on the bed in no more than five minutes. The inflatable frame of the CloudCuddle is very sturdy and effortlessly catches all blows. Children who have a tendency to bump against their bed often become calm with a CloudCuddle. After all, there is little noise compared to a bed box or bed rail. Less noise means fewer stimuli and most children become calmer as a result. Moreover, more quiet in the house promotes a good night's sleep for all family members. The transparent mazelike air permeable structure of the CloudCuddle bed tent further ensures open communication. The preamble of the first claim can be found at the following URL's: https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=d4qxmFGJR-Y and https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=qGhil2UNmPY. At these URL's is further shown that the frame comprises legs, wherein each leg has connectable straps for connection with a frame of the bed, wherein each leg has an additional strap for connection with the first zipper that is used for connecting the mazelike air permeable structure to the frame by which it is supported.

[0003] There is a need to further improve the known superstructure, and make it usable for persons with larger weight, including adults, particularly adults that are mentally challenged.

[0004] The superstructure according to the invention is therefore provided with the features of one or more of the appended claims. It is noted that the features of the respective claims that will be discussed hereinafter can be used independently from each other, but also in combination to promote the purposes of the invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention at least on one side of the mattress cover a flap is provided on top of the mattress cover which flap is along a line across the mattress cover fixedly connected to said mattress cover, and along at least a part of the circumference of the mattress cover connected to the mattress cover with a second zipper so as to enable that when the second zipper is positioned to enable detachment of the flap from the circumference of the mattress cover, said flap provides room to lift the mattress upwards into said room between the flap and the mattress cover. This feature makes the superstructure usable also with electrical beds, of which the mattress can be lifted at the head end, without compromising the security of the superstructure to maintain the person restricted to the confines of the superstructure. In other words it remains impossible for the person within the superstructure to inadvertently leave the bed on which the superstructure is mounted.

[0006] Another feature which can be applied independently, but preferably in combination with any of the other features discussed herein is that the mazelike structure comprises one or more entry elements for administering medication to the person within the superstructure and supported by the bed, wherein said entry elements are openable and closable by a third zipper which is operable only from an outer side of the superstructure which is in use distant from the bed.

[0007] Still another feature which can be applied independently, however preferably in combination with any of the other features discussed herein is that wherein a fourth zipper is used for connecting the mazelike air permeable structure to the frame by which it is supported, said fourth zipper is at least in part positioned on the legs of the frame facing away from the bed. This further promotes the earlier mentioned security provided by the superstructure against the person within the superstructure inadvertently leaving the bed.

[0008] Yet another feature which can be applied independently but preferably in combination with any of the other features discussed herein is that wherein the frame comprises four legs merging into each other in a center above the bed, and wherein plural fourth zippers are used to connect the mazelike air permeable structure to the frame, each of said plural fourth zippers follows an uninterrupted trajectory from one leg to another leg without crossing another fourth zipper. Since the mazelike air permeable structure is usually made up of different portions, each of those portions can be separately attached with one fourth zipper of the collection of fourth zippers that are used for attachment of the mazelike air permeable structure to the frame, which promotes the sturdiness of the complete construction and which makes it in particular more suitable for heavier persons.

[0009] Still another feature which can be applied independently but preferably combination with any of the other features discussed herein is that wherein the frame comprises four legs merging into each other in a center above the bed, the legs on opposite sides of the center above the bed are connected to each other with a connecting tube that provides a gas connection between the legs. With this construction the occurrence of leakage in one of the legs can remain limited to the legs that are interconnected with each other, whilst maintaining pressure in the other legs so as to prevent a collapse of the superstructure.

[0010] Still another feature which can be applied independently but preferably in combination with any of the other features discussed herein is that in a transitional area between the air permeable mazelike structure and the mattress cover, an opening is provided that is closable with a flap, wherein said opening provides access to a fifth zipper for connecting a removable sheet to the mattress cover.

[0011] The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of aspects of the superstructure according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims.

[0012] In the drawing: figure 1 shows the feature according to the preamble of claim 1 of the invention; figure 2 shows the feature according to claim 1 of the invention; figure 3 shows the feature according to claim 2 of the invention; figure 4 shows the feature according to claim 3 of the invention; figure 5 shows the feature according to claim 4 of the invention; figure 6 shows the feature according to claim 5 of the invention; and figure 7 shows the feature according to claim 6 of the invention. Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

[0013] Turning first to figure 1, it shows on the lefthand side of the figure a superstructure 1 for mounting on a person's bed, which is intended to guard the person within the superstructure 1 against inadvertently leaving the bed.

[0014] The superstructure 1 comprises an inflatable frame 2 which is fixable to the bed, wherein a mazelike air permeable structure 3 is supported by the frame 2 and closes off entry to within the superstructure 1 and exit out from the superstructure 1. The mazelike air permeable structure 3 is fixed to a mattress cover 4 which is fixedly mountable on a mattress of the bed. The mattress cover 4 can for instance be fixated to the mattress with slings guided underneath the mattress.

[0015] The mazelike air permeable structure 3 is further connectable with a first zipper 5 to the inflatable frame 2, wherein the first zipper 5 is openable from outside the bed only. More precisely said: the first zipper 5 is operable only from an outer side of the superstructure 1 which is in use opposite to the side of the bed.

[0016] The so far discussed features are common to the prior art, i.e. the known cloud-cuddle, and the superstructure of the invention.

[0017] A first feature according to the invention which is shown in figure 1, is that at least on one side of the mattress cover 4 a flap 6 is provided on top of the mattress cover 4, which flap 6 is along a line 7 across the mattress cover 4 fixedly connected to said mattress cover 4, and along at least a part 8 of the circumference 9 of the mattress cover 4 connected to the mattress cover 4 with a second zipper 10 so as to enable that when the second zipper 10 is positioned to enable detachment of the flap 6 from the circumference 9 of the mattress cover 4, said flap 6 provides a room 20 which enables lifting the mattress upwards into said room 20 between the flap 6 and the mattress cover. This is clearly shown by comparing the upper part of figure 1 showing the non-lifted position with the lower part of figure 1 showing the lifted position at the head end of the mattress.

[0018] Turning now to figure 2, a second feature of the invention is shown. Figure 2 depicts that the mazelike structure 3 comprises one or more entry elements 11 for administering medication to the person within the superstructure 1 and on the bed, wherein said entry elements 11 are openable and closable by a third zipper 12 which is operable only from an outer side of the superstructure 1 which is in use distant from the bed.

[0019] Figure 3 depicts a feature pertaining to the frame 2, which comprises legs 13, and wherein each leg 13 has connectable straps 14, 15 for connection with a frame of the bed, and wherein each leg 13 has an additional strap 16 for connection with the first zipper 5 that is used for connecting the mazelike air permeable structure 3 to the frame 2 by which it is supported.

[0020] In figure 4 the feature is shown 4 that wherein a fourth zipper 14 is used for connecting the mazelike air permeable structure 3 to the frame 2 by which it is supported, said fourth zipper 14 is at least in part positioned on the legs 13 of the frame 2 facing away from the bed. In the righthand part of figure 4 it is shown that the mazelike air permeable structure 3 which is present on opposite sides of the legs 13 of the frame 2, each connect through a separate fourth zipper 14 to the leg 13, which improves the sturdiness of the construction.

[0021] Turning now to figure 5, it is shown that wherein the frame 2 comprises four legs 13 merging into each other in a center 15 above the bed, and wherein plural fourth zippers 14 are used to connect the mazelike air permeable structure 3 to the frame 2, each of said plural fourth zippers 14 follows an uninterrupted trajectory from one leg 13 to another leg 13 without crossing another fourth zipper 14.

[0022] Figure 6 depicts that wherein the frame 2 comprises four legs 13 merging into each other in a center 15 above the bed, the legs 13 on opposite sides of the center 15 above the bed are connected to each other with a connecting tube 16 that provides a gas connection between the legs 13.

[0023] Finally with reference to figure 7, the feature is shown that in a transitional area between the air permeable mazelike structure 3 and the mattress cover 4, an opening 17 is provided that is closable with a flap 18, wherein said opening 17 provides access to a fifth zipper 19 for connecting a removable sheet (not shown) to the mattress cover 4. This fifth zipper is located approximately at the circumference 9 of the mattress cover 4 shown in figure 1.

[0024] Although features of the invention have been discussed in the foregoing with reference to a drawing with several figures, the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments that are shown in figures, and which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed figures depicting the features according to the invention shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the figures are merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to what is shown in the figures. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this detailed description.

Claims

1. A superstructure (1) for mounting on a person's bed to guard the person against inadvertently leaving the bed, comprising an inflatable frame (2) which is fixable to the bed, wherein a mazelike air permeable structure (3) is supported by the frame (2) and closes off entry to within the superstructure (1) and prevents exit from the superstructure (1), which mazelike structure (3) is fixed to a mattress cover (4) which is fixedly mountable on a mattress of the bed, which mazelike air permeable structure (3) is further connectable with a first zipper (5) to the inflatable frame (2), wherein the first zipper (5) is openable only from an outer side of the superstructure (1) which is in use opposite to the side of the bed, wherein the frame (2) comprises legs (13), wherein each leg (13) has connectable straps (14, 15) for connection with a frame of the bed, and wherein each leg (13) has an additional strap (16) for connection with the first zipper (5) that is used for connecting the mazelike air permeable structure (3) to the frame (2) by which the mazelike air permeable structure (3) is supported, characterized in that at least on one side of the mattress cover (4) a flap (6) is provided on top of the mattress cover (4), which flap (6) is along a line (7) across the mattress cover (4) fixedly connected to said mattress cover (4), and along at least a part (8) of the circumference (9) of the mattress cover (4) connected to the mattress cover (4) with a second zipper (10) so as to enable that when the second zipper (10) is positioned to enable detachment of the flap (6) from the circumference (9) of the mattress cover (4), said flap (6) provides room (20) to lift the mattress upwards into said room (20) between the flap (6) and the mattress cover (4).

2. The superstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that the mazelike structure (3) comprises one or more entry elements (11) for administering medication to the person within the superstructure (1) and on the bed, wherein said entry elements (11) are openable and closable by a third zipper (12) which is operable only from an outer side of the super-structure (1) which is in use opposite to the side of the bed.

3. The superstructure according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that a fourth zipper (14) is used for connecting the mazelike air permeable structure (3) to the frame (2) by which it is supported, said fourth zipper (14) is at least in part positioned on the legs (13) of the frame (2) facing away from the bed.

4. The superstructure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises four legs (13) merging into each other in a center (15) above the bed, and wherein plural fourth zippers (14) are used to connect the mazelike air permeable structure (3) to the frame (2), each of said plural fourth zippers (14) follows an uninterrupted trajectory from one leg (13) to another leg (14) without crossing another fourth zipper (14).

5. The superstructure according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises four legs (13) merging into each other in a center (15) above the bed, the legs (13) on opposite sides of the center (15) above the bed are connected to each other with a connecting tube (16) that provides a gas connection between the legs (13).

6. The superstructure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that in a transitional area between the air permeable mazelike structure (3) and the mattress cover (4), an opening (17) is provided that is closable with a flap (18), wherein said opening (17) provides access to a fifth zipper (19) for connecting a removable sheet to the mattress cover (4).

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