Stomach sleeping prevention device

Abstract

This invention provides a prone sleeping prevention device that allows an infant to be released without disengaging the hook-and-loop fasteners that engage the abdominal belt and crotch belt with each other. [Solution] The prone sleeping prevention device 1 comprises a mat 2 on which the infant sleeps, and an abdominal belt 3 and a crotch belt 11 connected to the mat 2. The abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11, which are wrapped around the infant, are engaged with each other using hook-and-loop fasteners 12-15 to prevent the infant from rolling over. The abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 are equipped with fasteners 3d and 11d at intermediate parts 3c and 11c between the fixing parts 3a and 11a, which are fixed with hook-and-loop fasteners 12-15, and the connecting parts 3b and 11b, which are connected to the mat 2, allowing the fixing parts 3a and 11a and the connecting parts 3b and 11b to be separated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a prone sleeping prevention device for preventing an infant from turning over and lying in a prone position.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a prone sleeping prevention device for keeping an infant lying on its back to avoid sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A conventional prone sleeping prevention device connects a thigh belt and an abdominal belt to a belt connecting portion provided on a futon on which the infant lies, and engages the thigh belt and the abdominal belt wound around the infant with a hook-and-loop fastener to gently wrap the infant's body and prevent turning over.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the prone sleeping prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 1 engages the thigh belt and the abdominal belt with a hook-and-loop fastener, there is a risk of disturbing the infant's sleep with an unpleasant sound such as "clicking" when the hook-and-loop fastener is disengaged.

[0005] The present invention has been made to improve such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a prone sleeping prevention device that can detach an infant without disengaging a hook-and-loop fastener that engages a thigh belt and an abdominal belt with each other.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a prone sleeping prevention device comprising a mat for laying an infant on, and an abdominal belt and a crotch belt connected to the mat, wherein the abdominal belt and crotch belt wrapped around the infant are engaged with each other using hook-and-loop fasteners to prevent the infant from rolling over, wherein the abdominal belt and crotch belt are provided with fasteners at an intermediate portion between the fixing portion fixed by the hook-and-loop fasteners and the connecting portion connected to the mat, which detachably connect the fixing portion and the connecting portion.

[0007] In the prone sleeping prevention device of the present invention, the fastening device provided on the crotch belt may be provided in the intermediate portion such that it overlaps with the abdominal belt when the abdominal belt and crotch belt are wrapped around the infant and the hook-and-loop fasteners engage with each other.

[0008] Furthermore, in the prone sleeping prevention device of the present invention, the fastening device provided on one of the left and right abdominal belts may be provided in the intermediate portion such that it overlaps with the other abdominal belt when the abdominal belt and crotch belt are wrapped around the infant and the hook-and-loop fasteners are engaged with each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The prone sleeping prevention device of the present invention allows the infant to be removed by releasing the fasteners on the abdominal belt and crotch belt, without disengaging the hook-and-loop fasteners that engage the abdominal belt and crotch belt with each other. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows one embodiment of a device to prevent sleeping face down, where (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a bottom view, and (D) is an enlarged right side view. [Figure 2] This is a plan view illustrating the mat of the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view illustrating the abdominal belt of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a bottom view of the abdominal belt. [Figure 5] It is a plan view for explaining the first step of the usage procedure of this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a plan view for explaining the next step of the usage procedure. [Figure 7] It is a plan view for explaining the next step of the usage procedure. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing the state where an infant is wrapped in this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a side view showing the wrapped state. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing the state where the wire fastener is disengaged from the wrapped state. [Figure 11] It is a view showing another embodiment, (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a bottom view, and (D) is an enlarged right side view. [Figure 12] It is a plan view for explaining the mat of this embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a plan view for explaining the abdominal belt and the thigh belt of this embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a bottom view of the abdominal belt and the thigh belt. [Figure 15] It is a plan view for explaining the first step of the usage procedure of this embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a plan view for explaining the next step of the usage procedure. [Figure 17] It is a plan view for explaining the next step of the usage procedure. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing the state where an infant is wrapped in this embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a side view showing the wrapped state. [Figure 20] It is a plan view showing the state where the wire fastener is disengaged from the wrapped state.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] An embodiment of the prone-sleep prevention device will be described below based on the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the prone-sleep prevention device 1 includes a mat 2 that can be wound around a mattress M such as a baby bed, and a belly belt 3 and a crotch belt 11 that restrict the posture of an infant to sleep on the back with the face up with respect to the mat 2. The belly belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 are connected to the mat 2. The prone-sleep prevention device 1 prevents an infant from turning over by engaging the belly belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 wound around the infant with each other using snap fasteners 12 to 15.

[0012] The belly belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 are provided with wire fasteners 3d and 11d that separably connect the fixing portions 3a and 11a fixed by the snap fasteners 12 to 15 and the connecting portions 3b and 11b connected to the mat 2 at intermediate portions 3c and 11c between the fixing portions 3a and 11a and the connecting portions 3b and 11b. The wire fasteners 3d and 11d are an example of a fastening tool.

[0013] The fastening tool is not particularly limited as long as it can separably connect the fixing portions 3a and 11a and the connecting portions 3b and 11b of the belly belt 3 and the crotch belt 11. For example, as the fastening tool, in addition to the wire fastener, examples include a combination of a button and a hole, a snap button, a hook such as a key hook or a spring hook, a magnet, and a snap fastener having a smaller bonding area than the snap fastener of the fixing portion.

[0014] The prone-sleep prevention device 1 of the present embodiment can remove (open) only the belly-side wire fastener 3d and the crotch-side wire fastener 11d without releasing the engagement of the snap fasteners 12 to 15 that engage the belly belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 wound around the infant with each other, and the infant can be detached from the prone-sleep prevention device 1. The prone-sleep prevention device 1 is configured to be able to adjust the winding length of the belly belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 according to the body shape and growth of the infant by the snap fasteners 12 to 15, and the infant can be detached without releasing the engagement of the snap fasteners 12 to 15. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the risk of disturbing the infant's sleep with an unpleasant sound such as "clicking" when the snap fasteners 12 to 15 are disengaged, and it is user-friendly.

[0015] Next, the components of the prone sleeping prevention device 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the sheet body 4 of the mattress 2 is made of cloth, for example, and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape that is horizontally elongated, with its outer edge bordered. A first hook-and-loop fastener 5 and a second hook-and-loop fastener 6 are sewn to the surface of one end of the sheet body 4 and the underside of the other end. By engaging the first and second hook-and-loop fasteners 5 and 6 with each other, the mattress 2 is wrapped around and secured to the mattress M.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, a belt pocket 7 into which the abdominal belt 3 is attached is sewn to the center of the surface of the sheet body 4. Between the belt pocket 7 and the surface of the sheet body 4, there are left and right horizontal insertion parts 8. The belt pocket 7 is made of cloth, for example, and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the direction perpendicular to the left and right directions, and its outer edge is edged.

[0017] The belt pocket 7 is attached to the center of the sheet body 4 surface by only a straight seam 18 near the head and a straight seam 19 near the buttocks. The space between the two straight seams 18 and 19 is the insertion section 8. The head end and the buttock end of the belt pocket 7 are constructed in a flap-like manner. Furthermore, since the center of the sheet body 4 is made of two layers of fabric, the seams 18 and 19 of the belt pocket 7 and the seams of the third hook-and-loop fastener 9 are not exposed and are hidden on the back side of the sheet body 4.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 is sewn to the back surface of the central part of the abdominal belt 3 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). The central part of the abdominal belt 3 in the longitudinal direction (the part where the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 is provided) constitutes the connecting portion 3b. Here, the surface of the abdominal belt 3 that is on the upper side when the abdominal belt 3 is attached to the belt pocket 7 is considered the front surface, and the lower side (the side facing the mat 2) is considered the back surface. In this embodiment, the abdominal belt 3 has a structure in which the left and right abdominal belts 3A and 3B, which share the connecting portion 3b, are integrally formed.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, a third hook-and-loop fastener 9, which engages with the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 of the abdominal belt 3, is sewn onto the part of the sheet body 4 surface covered by the belt pocket 7. By inserting the abdominal belt 3 into the insertion part 8 and engaging the third hook-and-loop fastener 9 and the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 with each other, the abdominal belt 3 is connected to and fixed in place on the sheet body 4.

[0020] A band-shaped crotch strap 11 is sewn to the part of the belt pocket 7 closest to the infant's buttocks. The crotch strap 11 is made of cloth, for example, and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape that is long in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, and its outer circumference is edged. In this embodiment, the base end of the crotch strap 11 is connected and fixed to the mat 2 at the seam 19 on the buttock side of the belt pocket 7. Alternatively, the base end of the crotch strap 11 may be sewn to the mat 2 separately from the belt pocket 7.

[0021] The base end of the crotch strap 11 (the end on the belt pocket 7 side) constitutes the connecting portion 11b. Here, the side of the crotch strap 11 that is on the upper side when the crotch strap 11 is placed along the mat 2 and mattress M is considered the front surface, and the side on the lower side (mat 2 side) is considered the back surface.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a seventh hook-and-loop fastener 14 is sewn onto the surface of the tip of the crotch strap 11, which engages with a fifth hook-and-loop fastener 12 sewn onto the back surface of the tip of the other abdominal strap 3B (the left or right abdominal strap). An eighth hook-and-loop fastener 15 is sewn onto the back surface of the tip of the crotch strap 11, which engages with a sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13 sewn onto the surface of the tip of the other abdominal strap 3A (the left or right abdominal strap). The tip of the crotch strap 11 (the portion where the seventh and eighth hook-and-loop fasteners 14 and 15 are provided) constitutes a fixing portion 11a.

[0023] An intermediate portion 11c between the tip (fixing portion 11a) and base (connecting portion 11b) of the crotch belt 11 is fitted with a crotch side fastener 11d for attaching and detaching the tip (fixing portion 11a) with the 7th and 8th hook-and-loop fasteners 14 and 15. The crotch side fastener 11d is made of, for example, plastic or metal. In this embodiment, the crotch side fastener 11d is provided in close proximity to the 7th and 8th hook-and-loop fasteners 14 and 15.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the abdominal belt 3 is made of cloth, for example, and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape that is horizontally elongated, with its outer perimeter edged. The fifth and sixth hook-and-loop fasteners 12 and 13, as described above, are sewn to the back surface of the portion extending from the tip of the other side of the abdominal belt 3 (abdominal belt 3B) to the middle in the length direction, and to the front surface of the tip of one side of the abdominal belt (abdominal belt 3A). The fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10, as described above, is sewn to the back surface of the central part of the abdominal belt 3 in the length direction (connecting portion 3b).

[0025] The tip of the abdominal belt 3A (the part to which the sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13 is attached) and the part of the abdominal belt 3B to which the fifth hook-and-loop fastener 12 is attached constitute the fixing portion 3a of the abdominal belt 3. In this embodiment, the fifth hook-and-loop fastener 12 extends from the tip of the abdominal belt 3B to a portion near the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 in the middle of its length, and is provided along the length of the abdominal belt 3B.

[0026] The abdominal belt 3 has an ventral line fastener 3d attached to an intermediate portion 3c between the fixing portion 3a and the connecting portion 3b on one side (abdominal belt 3A side), which allows the end portion (fixing portion 3a) with the sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13 to be attached and detached. The ventral line fastener 3d is made of plastic or metal, for example. In this embodiment, the ventral line fastener 3d is provided close to the sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13. In addition, on the other side of the abdominal belt 3B, a fastener (for example, a line fastener) may be provided at the intermediate portion 3c between the fixing portion 3a and the connecting portion 3b to detachably connect the fixing portion 3a and the connecting portion 3b.

[0027] Now, when using the prone sleeping prevention device 1 to lay an infant to sleep, as shown in Figure 5, first, wrap the mat 2 around the mattress M and secure it so that the belt pocket 7 is in the center of the mattress M. Next, insert the abdominal belt 3 into the insertion part 8 between the belt pocket 7 and the surface of the sheet body 4, and connect and secure the abdominal belt 3 to the sheet body 4. Then, lay the infant on the mat 2 so that the crotch belt 11 is positioned between both legs.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, wrap the other side of the abdominal belt 3 (abdominal belt 3B), the crotch belt 11, and the other side of the abdominal belt 3 (abdominal belt 3A) around the infant in the order described. For example, on the infant's abdomen, engage the 7th hook-and-loop fastener 14 of the crotch belt 11 with the 5th hook-and-loop fastener 12 of the abdominal belt 3B, and engage the 6th hook-and-loop fastener 13 of the abdominal belt 3A with the 8th hook-and-loop fastener 15 of the crotch belt 11. By following these steps, the prone sleeping prevention device 1 is attached to the infant (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0029] Here, since the hook-and-loop fasteners 12-15 have width in both the length and width directions, the wrapping length of the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 can be adjusted to match the size of the baby's waist and hips. In addition, the portion of the sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13 of the abdominal belt 3A that protrudes from the crotch belt 11 can be engaged with the fifth hook-and-loop fastener 12 of the abdominal belt 3B.

[0030] Afterward, as shown in Figure 10, the infant can be removed from the prone sleeping device 1 simply by unfastening (opening) the abdominal zipper 3d and the crotch zipper 11d, without having to unfasten the 5th and 7th hook-and-loop fasteners 12 and 14 or the 6th and 8th hook-and-loop fasteners 13 and 15. This eliminates the unpleasant "ripping" sound that occurs when unfastening the hook-and-loop fasteners 12, 14, 13, and 15 between the abdominal belt 3 and the crotch belt 11, which could disturb the infant's sleep.

[0031] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 10, after releasing the zippers 3d and 11d, the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 of the prone sleeping prevention device 1 are already adjusted in length. Therefore, when reattaching the prone sleeping prevention device 1 to an infant after it has been removed, the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 can be wrapped around the infant quickly and quietly by simply engaging the zippers 3d and 11d, thereby restricting rolling over.

[0032] As can be seen from Figures 5 to 8, the linear zippers 3d and 11d are positioned to overlap the abdominal belt 3B. In this embodiment, the abdominal linear zipper 3d is also positioned to overlap the crotch belt 11.

[0033] In other words, the crotch zipper 11d is positioned closer to the fixing part 11a within the middle part 11c of the crotch belt 11, so that it overlaps with the abdominal belt 3 when the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 are wrapped around the infant and the hook-and-loop fasteners 12-15 engage with each other. This prevents the crotch zipper 11d from coming into contact with the infant's abdomen or legs, ensuring safety and providing a comfortable fit.

[0034] Furthermore, the ventral zipper 3d is positioned near the fixing portion 3a of the abdominal belt 3A (one abdominal belt) in the middle portion 3c of the abdominal belt 3A (one abdominal belt), so that it overlaps with the abdominal belt 3B (the other abdominal belt) when the abdominal belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 are wrapped around the infant and engaged with the hook-and-loop fasteners 12-15. This prevents the ventral zipper 3d from coming into contact with the infant's abdomen, ensuring safety and providing a comfortable fit.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 are wrapped around and secured to the infant, the abdominal zipper 3d can be positioned to overlap the crotch belt 11. This prevents the abdominal zipper 3d from coming into contact with the infant's legs, thereby improving safety and providing a more comfortable fit.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the crotch belt 11 is sewn to the mat 2, but it may also be formed integrally with the abdominal belt 3, for example. Next, an embodiment in which the abdominal belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 are formed integrally will be described.

[0037] Other embodiments of the prone sleeping prevention device will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 20. In this description of the embodiments, components similar to those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0038] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the prone sleeping prevention device 20 of this embodiment has a crotch belt 11 integrally formed in the left-right center of the abdominal belt 3, which has left and right abdominal belts 3A and 3B. The abdominal belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 are formed in a roughly T-shape in plan view. The connecting portion 11b of the crotch belt 11 is the portion where the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 is provided, and is located in the same place as the connecting portion 3b of the left and right abdominal belts 3A and 3B.

[0039] The belt pocket 7 is attached to the center of the sheet body 4 surface by only a straight seam 18 near the head and seams 19 at each of the left and right corners near the buttocks. The space between the two seams 18 and 19, and the space between the left and right seams 19, forms an insertion section 8. In other words, the insertion section 8 between the sheet body 4 and the belt pocket 7 is open on three sides: left, right, and towards the buttocks.

[0040] To connect the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 to the mat 2, one of the abdominal belts 3A and 3B and the crotch belt 11 are inserted into the insertion section 8, which is open on the left, right, and buttock sides, and the third hook-and-loop fastener 9 and the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 10 are engaged with each other. This connects and secures the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 to the sheet body 4 (see also Figures 11 and 12).

[0041] Now, when laying an infant to sleep using the prone sleeping prevention device 20, the abdominal belts 3A, 3B and crotch belt 11 are wrapped around the infant in the same procedure as when using the prone sleeping prevention device 1, as explained with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Specifically, first, the infant is laid on the mat 2 so that the crotch belt 11 is positioned between both legs (see Figure 15). Next, the abdominal belt 3B, crotch belt 11, and abdominal belt 3A are wrapped around the infant in the order described, while engaging the seventh hook-and-loop fastener 14 with the fifth hook-and-loop fastener 12 and the sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13 with the eighth hook-and-loop fastener 15 to attach the prone sleeping prevention device 20 to the infant (see Figures 16 to 19).

[0042] As shown in Figure 20, the prone sleeping prevention device 20, like the prone sleeping prevention device 1, allows the infant to be released simply by unfastening (opening) the ventral zipper 3d and the crotch zipper 11d, without having to disengage the 5th and 7th hook-and-loop fasteners 12 and 14, or the 6th and 8th hook-and-loop fasteners 13 and 15. Therefore, the unpleasant noise that occurs when disengaging the hook-and-loop fasteners 12, 14, 13, and 15 may disturb the infant's sleep. In other words, the prone sleeping prevention device 20 provides the same effects and benefits as the prone sleeping prevention device 1.

[0043] In the prone sleeping prevention device 20, the sixth hook-and-loop fastener 13 on the abdominal belt 3B is divided into two parts, left and right, but it may be formed as a single piece or divided into three or more parts. Similarly, each hook-and-loop fastener 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15, which are made from a single hook-and-loop fastener, may be provided divided into two or more parts. Such a configuration can also be applied to the prone sleeping prevention device 1, which was described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In addition, the size of each hook-and-loop fastener 9, 10, 12 to 15 can be changed as appropriate.

[0044] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be embodied in various forms. The configuration of each part is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications (see notes, etc.) may be combined, and the configurations can be added, omitted, replaced, or otherwise modified.

[0045] The method of connecting the abdominal belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 to the mattress 2 is not particularly limited. For example, the abdominal belt 3 may be attached to the mattress 2 by sewing. In this case, both abdominal belts 3A and 3B may be sewn to the mattress 2, or one of the abdominal belts 3A or 3B may be sewn to the mattress 2 together with the belt pocket 7, and the other abdominal belt 3A or 3B and the crotch belt 11 may be arranged in a roughly L-shape in plan view and inserted into the insertion parts 8 provided on one of the left and right side edges and the lower edge of the belt pocket 7 to connect the roughly L-shaped abdominal belt 3A or 3B and the crotch belt 11 to the mattress 2. Note that the abdominal belts 3A and 3B may also be sewn to the mattress 2 separately from the belt pocket 7.

[0046] Furthermore, the configuration with belt pockets 7 allows the abdominal belt 3 and crotch belt 11 to be attached to the mat 2 without using hook-and-loop fasteners 9 and 10. Alternatively, the abdominal belts 3A and 3B and the crotch belt 11 may each be attached to the mat 2 using separate hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0047] Furthermore, the order in which the abdominal belt 3A, 3B and the crotch belt 11 are overlapped on the infant's abdomen in order to engage the abdominal belt 3 and the crotch belt 11 with hook-and-loop fasteners is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the fixing portions 3a of the abdominal belts 3A and 3B may be overlapped, and then the fixing portion 11a of the crotch belt 11 may be overlapped on top of that, or the fixing portions 3a of the abdominal belts 3A and 3B may be overlapped on top of the fixing portion 11a of the crotch belt 11 which is placed on the infant's abdomen. In these cases, it goes without saying that hook-and-loop fasteners should be appropriately provided so that the upper and lower fixing portions 3a, 3a are connected to each other, or to the fixing portion 3a and the fixing portion 11a. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1.20 Prevents sleeping face down 2. Mat 3,3A,3B Abdominal belt 3a Fixed area 3b Connection site 3c middle part 3D ventral line zipper (fastener) 11 Crotch belt 11a Fixed area 11b Connection site 11c middle part 11d Crotch side zipper (fastener) 12. Fifth hook-and-loop fastener 13. 6th hook-and-loop fastener 14. 7th hook-and-loop fastener 15. 8th hook-and-loop fastener

Claims

1. A device to prevent infants from rolling over while sleeping, comprising a mat for laying an infant on, and a belly belt and crotch belt connected to the mat, wherein the belly belt and crotch belt wrapped around the infant are engaged with each other using hook-and-loop fasteners, The abdominal belt and the crotch belt are equipped with fasteners at an intermediate portion between the fixing portion secured by the hook-and-loop fastener and the connecting portion connected to the mat, which detachably connect the fixing portion and the connecting portion. A device to prevent sleeping face down.

2. The fastening device provided on the crotch belt is positioned in the intermediate portion such that it overlaps with the abdominal belt when the abdominal belt and crotch belt are wrapped around the infant and the hook-and-loop fastener engages with each other. A device to prevent sleeping face down according to claim 1.

3. The fastening device provided on one of the left and right abdominal belts is positioned in the intermediate area, closer to the fixing area, so that it overlaps with the other abdominal belt when the abdominal belt and crotch belt are wrapped around the infant and engaged with the hook-and-loop fastener. A device to prevent sleeping face down according to claim 1 or 2.

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