Multifunction Infant Bed

Abstract

A bed configured to contain a subject, such as a human infant is disclosed. The bed includes a womb-shaped bumper capable of constricting or squeezing the subject. The bumper is adjustable between a constricting configuration and a non-constricting configuration. An adjustment mechanism, and optionally, a fastener may be used to maintain the bumper in the constricting configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bed, comprising:
 an elongated bumper having a first end, a second end, and a fastener, the first end and the second end capable of being joined by the fastener to provide the bumper with a closed configuration having two opposed sides and two intermediate portions; and   a bottom attachable to the bumper at a bottom region of the bumper,   wherein the bumper when attached to the bottom defines a recess.   
     
     
         2 . The bed of  claim 1  further comprising a first filling material disposed in an interior region of the bumper and a second filling material disposed in an interior region of the bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The bed of  claim 2  further comprising at least one void disposed in at least one of the opposed sides and at least one mesh portion enclosing the at least one void portion. 
     
     
         4 . The bed of  claim 3  further comprising a first zipper opening in the bumper to allow the removal and insertion of the first filling material. 
     
     
         5 . The bed of  claim 4  further comprising a second zipper opening in the bottom to allow the removal and insertion of the second filling material. 
     
     
         6 . The bed of  claim 5  further comprising a first safety zipper on the first zipper opening and a second safety zipper on the second zipper opening. 
     
     
         7 . The bed of  claim 6  further comprising a support capable of maintaining the shape of the at least one mesh portion. 
     
     
         8 . The bed of  claim 2  wherein the bottom includes an inclined upper surface. 
     
     
         9 . The bed of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the bumper, the bottom, and the filling material has at least one of the properties chosen from the group of: anti-dust-mite, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. 
     
     
         10 . The bed of  claim 2  wherein the intermediate portions are curved and the bumper has an oval configuration when the fastener is fastened. 
     
     
         11 . The bed of  claim 10  wherein the fastener includes a mechanism for adjusting a curvature of the oval configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A bed configured to contain a subject, comprising:
 a womb-shaped bumper having a constricting configuration and a non-constricting configuration; and   an adjusting mechanism having a first position and a second position,   wherein the bumper in the constricting configuration is configured to squeeze the subject,   wherein the adjusting mechanism in the first position corresponds to the bumper being in the constricting configuration, and   wherein the adjusting mechanism in the second position corresponds to the bumper being in the non-constricting configuration.   
     
     
         13 . The bed of  claim 12  wherein the adjusting mechanism further includes a fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The bed of  claim 13  further comprising a bottom attachable to the bumper. 
     
     
         15 . The bed of  claim 14  further comprising a first filling material disposed in an interior region of the bumper and a second filling material disposed in an interior region of the bottom. 
     
     
         16 . The bed of  claim 15  wherein the bumper further includes at least one void portion and at least one mesh portion enclosing the at least one void portion. 
     
     
         17 . The bed of  claim 16  further comprising a first zipper opening in the bumper to allow the removal and insertion of the first filling material. 
     
     
         18 . The bed of  claim 17  further comprising a second zipper opening in the bottom to allow the removal and insertion of the second filling material. 
     
     
         19 . The bed of  claim 18  further comprising a first safety zipper on the first zipper opening and a second safety zipper on the second zipper opening. 
     
     
         20 . The bed of  claim 19  further comprising a support capable of maintaining a shape of the at least one mesh portion. 
     
     
         21 . The bed of  claim 20  wherein the bottom includes an inclined upper surface. 
     
     
         22 . The bed of  claim 21  wherein at least one of the bumper, the bottom, and the filling material has at least one of the properties chosen from the group of: anti-dust-mite, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. 
     
     
         23 . A method for constraining a subject in a bed including a bumper having a constricting configuration a non-constricting configuration and an adjusting mechanism having a first position and a second position, wherein the bumper in the constricting configuration is configured to squeeze the subject, wherein the adjusting mechanism in the first position corresponds to the bumper being in the constricting configuration, and wherein the adjusting mechanism in the second position corresponds to the bumper being in the non-constricting configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
 disposing the subject in the bed; and   squeezing the subject by:
 configuring the bumper in the constricting configuration; and 
 adjusting the adjusting mechanism. 
   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the adjusting mechanism includes a fastening mechanism, the method further comprising the step of fastening the fastening mechanism to dispose the bumper in a womb-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the womb-shaped configuration is an oval configuration.