Collapsible Crib Pod with Segmented Side Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crib solutions fail to provide a portable, privacy-enhancing, and adaptable enclosure that allows babies to sleep comfortably during travel, addressing issues such as noise, light, and visibility in shared hotel rooms.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting, collapsible, and portable pod that fits over cribs and play-yards, offering privacy and light-blocking features, with optional windows and a removable top, designed to create a 'room within a room' for improved sleep environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a bed tent with a bottom that encapsulates a mattress is used, then privacy and light-blocking are improved, but compatibility with crib use is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight and noise isolationVSAvoidcrib compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into separate side panels rather than a continuous bottomless structure, allowing it to adapt to crib configurations while maintaining privacy and light-blocking capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of enclosing the mattress from below, the enclosure approaches the crib from the sides, creating privacy walls that can accommodate various crib types including portable cribs and play yards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fitted sheet-like canopy is used around portable play-yards, then light-blocking is improved, but baby mobility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight isolationVSAvoidbaby movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side panels are designed to be flexible and adjustable, allowing them to adapt to different play-yard sizes and configurations while still providing adequate light-blocking and privacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure provides light-blocking where needed (side panels) while leaving the top and bottom open to maintain baby mobility and access to the play-yard

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a one-size-fits-all enclosure is designed for the largest cribs, then versatility across crib sizes is improved, but fit precision for smaller cribs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrib size compatibilityVSAvoidenclosure fit accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The side panels are designed with adjustable lengths and flexible connections that allow the enclosure to be customized to fit different crib sizes, from full-size cribs to portable play-yards, maintaining both versatility and fit accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure is divided into multiple side panels that can be adjusted and configured to match various crib dimensions, enabling precise fit for different sizes while maintaining a one-size-fits-all design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250359688A1Crib accessory

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 SLUMBERPOD LLC

AI summary

A pop up cover for a crib is provided for providing a safe, comfortable and isolated environment for a child in a crib. The pop-up cover may be made of breathable fabric panels having an integrated frame, for example a flexible frame, which can be folded (collapsed) on itself, for example when folded in specific ways if appropriate force is applied and which keeps the fabric in a taught, open position when unfolded (preventing the panels form falling inwards onto each other). The pop up cover can be lightweight and compact, quick and easy to set up, dark inside and breathable.