Crib shield system and other breathable apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method for making same utilizing a breathable mesh material having a reduced suffocation resistance level for infant and toddler use. The breathable mesh material includes an inner and outer fabric that includes larger openings on the front substructure than on the back substructure and a pile substructure is integrated and extends between the front and back substructures allowing air to substantially move effectively therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crib shield system, suitable for use with a crib, in which the crib includes at least one first side rail, a headboard, and a footboard connected and sized for receiving a mattress therein, wherein at least one of at least one side rail, headboard, and footboard comprises a top bar and a plurality of spaced support elements, the crib shield system comprising:
 a padded rail cover structured and arranged to cover the top bar.   
     
     
         2 . The crib shield system of  claim 1 , wherein the padded rail cover further comprises a mesh-type material having openings too small to permit an infant to insert a figure or toe therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The crib shield system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a panel configured to cover at least a substantial portion of a corresponding side rail or headboard or footboard with a mesh-type material having openings too small to permit an infant to insert a figure or toe therethrough.   
     
     
         4 . The crib shield system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastening apparatus to secure the padded rail cover to the top bar. 
     
     
         5 . The crib shield system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the fastening apparatus is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop, snaps, buttons/buttonholes, ties, straps, buckles, and zippers. 
     
     
         6 . The crib shield system of  claim 2 , wherein the mesh-type material of the rail cover comprises a breathable integrated padded mesh material. 
     
     
         7 . The crib shield system of  claim 2 , wherein the mesh-type material of the rail cover comprises a front substructure, a back substructure, and a pile substructure integrated with and extending between the front and back substructures, wherein each of the substructures allows air to substantially move effectively therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The crib shield system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 one or more layers of other material adjacent to the mesh-type material of the rail cover.   
     
     
         9 . The crib shield system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second side rails is movable relative to a remainder of the crib.