Formable sleep positioner along with method for adjusting same

Abstract

Provided is a formable sleep positioner adapted to assume an unformed state and a formed state. In the unformed state the positioner is linearly inclined upwardly from a foot portion to a head portion at an acute angle. In the formed state side portions flair upwardly to form a trough-shaped channel such that the top surface of the sleep positioner has a concave shape with the side portions defining lateral wings that act to resist lateral movement of an infant placed longitudinally on the top surface in the channel.

1 . A formable sleep positioner, comprising:
 a. a head portion;   b. a foot portion;   c. a pair of opposite side portions;   d. a bottom surface operative to confront a support surface; and   e. a top surface opposite the bottom surface,   said sleep positioner adapted to assume an unformed state wherein said positioner is linearly inclined upwardly from said foot portion to said head portion at an acute angle, and a formed state wherein said side portions flair upwardly to form a trough-shaped channel such that said upper surface has a concave shape with said side portions defining lateral wings that act resist lateral movement of an infant placed longitudinally on said top surface in the channel.   
     
     
         2 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 2  wherein said head portion is selectively conformable to change elevation of the infant's head. 
     
     
         3 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 1  wherein said acute angle is between about 10-20 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 1  including a forming member imbedded in said positioner. 
     
     
         5 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 4  wherein said forming member includes upper and lower panels secured together to create a bendable backbone for said positioner. 
     
     
         6 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 5  wherein said upper panel and said lower panel are each constructed of the stiff, yet resilient material. 
     
     
         7 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 6  wherein said backbone mounts a transversely extending forming element for allowing an adult to configure said positioner into the formed state, while preventing collapse of said lateral wings under influence the infant placed on the positioner. 
     
     
         8 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 7  wherein said forming element is a loop of malleable wire of sufficient gauge. 
     
     
         9 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 8  wherein said malleable wire is stitched between said upper and lower panels to form a pair of laterally projecting loop portions. 
     
     
         10 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 4  wherein said forming member is sandwiched between a lower panel of foam material and an upper panel of foam material. 
     
     
         11 . A formable sleep positioner according to  10  wherein said upper and a lower panels are secured to one another, said lower panel has a constant thickness and said upper panel has a tapering thickness to provide an inclined surface for said sleep positioner. 
     
     
         12 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 10  wherein said upper panel, said lower panel and said forming member define an inner pad for said sleep position or and including an outer casing which receives said inner pad. 
     
     
         13 . A formable sleep positioner. comprising;
 a. an outer casing; and   b. an inner pad received in said outer casing, said inner pad, including:
 i. an upper surface; 
 ii. a bottom surface; and 
 iii. a forming member embedded in said pad between said upper surface and said bottom surfaces, said forming member manually conformable into a formed state so that side portions of said positioner flare upwardly to form a trough-shaped channel for placing an infant. 
   
     
     
         14 . A formable sleep positioner, comprising,
 a. a pad including:
 i. a head portion; 
 ii. a foot portion; 
 iii. a pair of opposite side portions; 
 iv. a bottom surface operative to confront a support surface; 
 v. a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and 
 vi. a forming member embedded within said pad between said top and bottom surfaces, said forming member manually configurable into a formed state so that said side portions flare upwardly to form a trough-shaped channel and define a lateral wings at act to resist lateral movement and infant when placed on top surface. 
   
     
     
         15 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 14  wherein said head portion includes upper and lower sections which move relative to one another to elevate said head portion relative to said foot portion. 
     
     
         16 . A formable sleep positioner according to  15  wherein said upper and lower sections converge toward a common vertex and relatively with respect to one another along the vertex. 
     
     
         17 . A formable sleep positioner according to  15  wherein said pad is configured to permit said head portion to move independently of said side portions. 
     
     
         18 . A formable sleep positioner according to new  15  wherein said forming member includes a pair of independently movable forming elements. 
     
     
         19 . A formable sleep positioner according to  18  wherein a first one of said forming elements allows said side portions to flare upwardly, and a second one of said forming elements allows said head portion to pivot relative to said foot portion. 
     
     
         20 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 19  wherein said first forming element is an oval D-shaped loop of malleable wire formed by a pair of laterally projecting loop portions of sufficient gauge to allow an adult to configure said sleep positioner into the formed state, while preventing collapse of said side portions under influence an infant when placed on top surface. 
     
     
         21 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 20  wherein said second forming element is a D-shaped loop of malleable wire which is longitudinally space from said first forming element. 
     
     
         22 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 14  wherein said forming member includes upper and lower panels, each constructed of a stiff, yet resilient materal, which are secured together to create a bendable backbone for said positioner. 
     
     
         23 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 22  wherein said forming member is sandwiched between a lower panel of foam material and an upper panel of foam material, said lower panel having a constant thickness and said upper panel having a tapering thickness to provide an inclined surface for said sleep positioner. 
     
     
         24 . A formable sleep positioner for elevating and infant's head while sleeping, comprising a pad including:
 a. a foot portion;   b. a head portion including a lower section and un upper section which are adapted to move relative to one another to elevate said head portion relative to said foot portion;   c. a pair of opposite side portions;   d. a top surface on which the infant may be place; and   e. a bottom surface opposite the top surface.   
     
     
         25 . A formable sleep positioner according to  claim 24  which is adapted to assume an unformed state wherein said positioner is linearly inclined upwardly from said foot portion to said head portion at an acute angle, and a formed state wherein said side portions flair upwardly to form a trough-shaped channel such that said upper surface has a concave shape with said side portions defining lateral wings that act resist lateral movement of an infant placed longitudinally on said top surface in the channel. 
     
     
         26 . A method of adjusting a sleep positioner to accommodate an infant, comprising:
 a. providing a pad having opposite upper and lower surface, said pad including a head portion, a foot portion, a pair of opposite side portions, and a forming member imbedded between said upper and lower surfaces; and   b. performing at least one of:
 i. manually configuring said pad into a formed state to cause said side portions to flare upwardly and form a trough-shaped channel whereby said side portions define lateral wing that act to resist lateral movement of the infant when placed in the channel, or 
 ii. manually elevating said head poriton relative to said foot portion.