BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a baby mat and more particularly, it relates to
a baby mat with which a parent can sleep alongside a baby.
Description of the Background Art
[0002] Recently, sharing of a bed among parents and children in which the parents and the
children sleep together in the same bed has been reviewed. An article about the above
is described in "Newsweek, special edition of Japanese version, The New Health from
Zero Year Old" published by Hankyu Communications Co., Ltd. July 29, 2003, p.7.
[0003] According to the above document, the number of mothers who rear their babies at the
breast is increased recently and the importance of physical contact is explained.
Thus, new merits are discovered in sharing the bed among parents and children.
[0004] Meanwhile, the following precautions has to be taken when the parent sleeps with
the baby. That is, it is necessary to be careful not to let the baby choke because
a bed (or mat) of the parent is too soft. It is necessary to be careful not to let
the baby lay on the face. In addition, it is necessary to be careful not to let the
baby be squashed when the parent rolls over.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above problems and it is an object
of the present invention to provide a baby mat with which the parent can share the
bed with the baby comfortably.
[0006] According to the present invention, a baby mat extends, maintaining a predetermined
height and comprises a main region having a constant width dimension, a leg region
positioned on the side of baby legs and a head region positioned on the side of a
baby head and having a configuration in which its width dimension is decreased toward
its top. A height of the baby mat is gradually increased from the leg region toward
the head region.
[0007] Since the head region of the baby mat has a configuration in which the width dimension
is decreased toward its top, the parent can nurse the baby, sliding an arm around
the head region of the baby mat so as to hold the baby mat. In addition, since it
has the predetermined height, even when the parent hit the baby mat when the parent
rolls over and the like, the parent feels odd because of a difference in level of
the baby mat and finds at once that the baby is sleeping with. In addition, since
the height is gradually increased from the leg region toward the head region, the
head of the baby can be held higher than the legs, so that the baby is likely to let
out a burp after having milk.
[0008] As a result, there can be provided the baby mat with which the parent can share the
bed with the baby comfortably.
[0009] In addition, the head region may be in the shape of semicircle, convexity and the
like.
[0010] Preferably, a projection part projecting upward and extending along an edge is provided
in the head region.
[0011] Since the projection part is provided in the head region, the baby is prevented from
rolling over freely so as not to be choked.
[0012] More preferably, the mat has ventilation holes.
[0013] Since the ventilation holes are provided in the baby mat, a temperature of the baby
can be appropriately maintained.
[0014] More preferably, the baby mat further comprises side projections provided on both
sides of the main region.
[0015] In addition, the projection part and the side projections may be continuously formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
Figs. 1A and 1B are views showing a baby mat according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
Figs. 2A and 2B are views showing a baby mat according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
Figs. 3A and 3B are views showing a baby mat according to still another embodiment
of the present invention;
Figs. 4A and 4B are views showing a baby mat according to still another embodiment
of the present invention;
Figs. 5A and 5B are views showing a baby mat according to still another embodiment
of the present invention;
Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C are views showing a baby mat according to still another embodiment
of the present invention; and
Figs. 7A and 7B are views showing a sofa to which the baby mat is applied.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings
hereinafter. Fig. 1A is a plan view showing a baby mat and Fig. 1B is a view in the
direction of the arrows B in Fig. 1A according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, the baby mat comprises a main region 11 having a constant
width dimension in which a baby body is put, a head region 12 in which a baby head
is put, and a leg region 13 in which baby legs are put. The head region 12 is in the
shape of almost semicircle and the leg region 13 has a linear configuration.
[0018] The baby mat 10 is gradually increased in height such that it is lower on the side
of the leg region 13 and higher on the side of the head region 12. In this constitution,
since the head of the baby can be highly held in the head region, the baby is likely
to let out a burp after having milk.
[0019] There is provided a projection part 14 which protrudes upward so as to hold the side
of the baby head. In addition, there is provided a plurality of ventilation holes
in the baby mat 10. The baby mat 10 may be formed of a material harder than a mat
on which the baby mat 10 is set.
[0020] Then, a description will be made of how to use the baby mat 10. The baby mat 10 is
separately used in the living room, for example near a mother in the daytime. While
the baby is laid down on the baby mat 10, the mother can observe the baby, doing housework.
[0021] During the night, the baby mat 10 is set on the center of the mat of a bed for parents
in the bedroom. The parents sleep across the baby mat 10 while the baby is laid down
on the baby mat 10.
[0022] Since the head region 12 of the baby mat 10 is in the shape of semicircle, the parent
can nurse the baby, sliding an arm around the head region 12 of the baby mat 10 so
as to hold the baby mat 10. In addition, since the baby mat 10 has a predetermined
height, the parent does not have to bend the neck and can bring the face close to
the baby in a comfortable position.
[0023] Thereafter, even when the parent falls asleep and rolls over in the bed and hit the
baby mat 10 eventually, since the baby mat 10 is highly positioned, the parent can
find at once that the baby is sleeping with.
[0024] Besides, when the baby mat 10 is made of a material harder than the parent's bed,
an accident in which a baby is choked on a soft mat will not occur.
[0025] Furthermore, since the projection part 14 for holding the baby head is provided and
the baby cannot freely roll over, there is no fear that the baby is choked.
[0026] Still further, since the plurality of ventilation holes 15 are provided in the baby
mat 10, a temperature of the baby can be appropriately maintained.
[0027] In addition, the above effect can be provided not only in the case where the baby
mat 10 is used on the parent's mat but also in a case where the baby mat 10 is separately
used when the parent sleeps alongside the baby.
[0028] As described above, according to the baby mat 10, the parent can be physically affectionate
with the baby anytime day or night without providing a baby bed. In addition, since
the parent can be released from precautions which was conventionally taken when the
parent sleep with the baby, the parent can sleep alongside the baby comfortably.
[0029] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figs. 2A and 2B are
views showing a baby mat 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention,
in which Fig. 2A is a plan view and Fig. 2B is a side view.
[0030] Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, although the baby mat 20 in this embodiment is basically
the same as that in the above embodiment, this embodiment is different from the above
embodiment in that there is no projection part but side projections 21 are provided
on both sides of a main region 11 of the baby mat 20. The side projection 21 is higher
than the projection part 14. Since other parts are the same as in the above embodiment,
their descriptions are omitted.
[0031] Here, the side projections 21 restrain the sides of the baby when the baby is laid
down on the baby mat 20. Since the sides of the baby is restrained by the side projections
21, the baby cannot roll over. Therefore, an accident in which a baby is choked during
sleep will not occur.
[0032] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figs. 3A and
3B are views showing the still another embodiment of the present invention, in which
Fig. 3Ais a plan view and Fig. 3B is a side view.
[0033] Referring to Figs. 3A and 3B, a baby mat 30 comprises both projection part 14 in
a head region 12 and side projections 21 on both sides of a main region 11. Since
other parts in this embodiment are the same as in the above embodiments, their descriptions
are omitted.
[0034] According to this embodiment, since the head and sides of the body are restrained
by the projection part 14 and the side projections 21, the baby is further restrained
and cannot roll over and the like. As a result, the baby can sleep on the mat further
safely.
[0035] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figs. 4A and
4B are views showing the still another embodiment of the present invention, in which
Fig. 4Ais a plan view and Fig. 4B is a side view.
[0036] Referring to Figs. 4A and 4B, a projection part 41 in which a projection part and
side projections are integrated is provided in this embodiment. In this case, a height
of the projection part 41 is the same as that of the projection part 14 in the above
embodiment.
[0037] Alternatively, the height of the projection 41 may be the same as that of the side
projections 21, or only the sides of a main region 11 may be as high as the side projections
21 while a head region 12 is as high as the projection part 14.
[0038] According to this embodiment, since the projection part 41 in which the projection
part and the side projections are integrated is provided, the entire body of the baby
can be surrounded by it. As a result, there can be provided a baby mat in which the
baby can sleep on the mat further safely.
[0039] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figs. 5A and
5B are views showing the still another embodiment of the present invention, in which
Fig. 5Ais a plan view and Fig. 5B is a side view.
[0040] According to this embodiment, a baby mat 50 does not have a projection part nor side
projections.
[0041] Even if there is no projection part nor side projection, since the baby mat 50 has
a predetermined height such that the height is gradually increased from a leg part
toward a head part, the baby can sleep on the mat safely. In addition, even when the
parent sleeping alongside the baby rolls over, since the baby mat 50 has the predetermined
height, the parent finds at once that the baby is sleeping with because the parent
feels odd because of the mat.
[0042] In addition, although the description was made of the example in which the head region
of the baby mat is in the shape of semicircle in the above embodiments, the present
invention is not limited to this configuration, and it is all right if the baby mat
is constituted such that the head region is decreased in width toward its top and
the height is increased from the leg region 13 toward the head region 12. Examples
of such configuration are shown in Figs. 6A to 6C. Figs. 6A to 6C are plan views showing
configurations the baby mat can have. In Figs. 6A to 6C, upper parts are the head
regions and lower parts are leg regions.
[0043] Next, an application example of the baby mat will be described. Figs. 7A and 7B are
views showing a sofa 70 to which the baby mat according to the present invention is
applied. Referring to Figs. 7A and 7B, the sofa 70 comprises a baby mat 60 having
the configuration shown in Figs. 5A and 5B or Figs. 6A and 6B, a back face 65 and
both side parts 66a and 66b provided so as to surround a head region of the baby mat
60. According to the baby mat 60 constituting the sofa 70, a notch is provided in
the central part on the back side (opposite side of the side shown in Fig. 7A) shown
by a dotted line in Fig. 7A, so that a leg part 60a of the baby mat 60 can be folded
along the notch as shown by an arrow in Fig. 7A. Therefore, when the leg part 60a
is folded, there can be provided the sofa 70 shown in Fig. 7B. Thus, the baby mat
can be used not only as a baby bed by itself, but also as the sofa 70 by folding the
baby mat.
[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention were described with reference to
the drawings above, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.
Therefore, various kinds of modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated
embodiments within the same or equivalent scope of the present invention.
1. A baby mat (10,20,30,40,50,60) extending with a predetermined height, comprising:
a main region (11) having a constant width dimension;
a leg region (13) positioned on the side of baby legs; and
a head region (12) positioned on the side of a baby head and having a configuration
in which its width dimension is decreased toward a top thereof, wherein the height
is gradually increased from said leg region (13) toward said head region(12).
2. The baby mat (10,20,30,40,50,60) according to claim 1, wherein a projection part (14)
projecting upward and extending along an edge is provided in the head region (12).
3. The baby mat (10,20,30,40,50,60) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mat has ventilation
holes.
4. The baby mat (10,20,30,40,50,60) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said
head region (12) is in the shape of semicircle.
5. The baby (10,20,30,40,50,60) mat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising
side projections (21) provided on both sides of said main region (11).
6. The baby mat (10,20,30,40,50,60) according to claim 5, wherein said projection part
(14) and said side projections (21) are continuously formed.