Foldable Mattress Topper for Play Yards and Related Methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable mattress topper apparatus and related methods for increasing the safety and comfort of children in play pens or play yards.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A portable mattress topper apparatus comprising:
 three mattress topper sub-sections, with each mattress topper sub-section comprising a cloth exterior and an interior foam member;   said mattress topper sub-sections being fixedly attached to one another via a first and second connector section; and,   wherein said portable mattress topper assembly is operationally configured to be used with and inserted on top of the floor of a portable playpen.   
     
     
         2 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising first and second connector sections of different widths. 
     
     
         3 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said first connector has a first width, wherein said second connector has a second width, and wherein said first width of said first connector is half the second width of the second connector. 
     
     
         4 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a carrier strap that can wrap around the folded mattress topper for containment and also allows for convenient carrying. 
     
     
         5 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said interior foam member is inserted into each of said three mattress topper sub-sections via an opening with a zipper. 
     
     
         6 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said interior foam members are replaceable. 
     
     
         7 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said interior foam members are comprised of high density foam. 
     
     
         8 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the high density foam is selected from any of the group consisting essentially of:
 44-180, 
 45-165, or 
 45-170 foam. 
 
     
     
         9 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the interior foam members have a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the entirety of the cloth exterior is washable. 
     
     
         11 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fully expanded form defines a bottom surface and a separate top surface. 
     
     
         12 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the bottom surface is comprised of durable and resilient material such as polyester, and the top surface is comprised of a softer surface such as one mostly formed of cotton. 
     
     
         13 . The portable mattress topper apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said top surface comprises an exterior made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex. 
     
     
         14 . A method of enhancing the comfort and stability of an existing playpen comprising the steps of:
 locating an existing playpen with an existing floor;   obtaining a portable mattress topper assembly comprising foldable connected subsections formed in part by high density foam;   unfolding said portable mattress topper assembly and inserting the assembly into the base of the existing playpen; and,   pushing each of the subsections close together so that said portable mattress topper assembly snugly fits in said playpen.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of ensuring that said mattress topper subsections are in abutment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of ensuring that the top surface of said mattress topper assembly features a surface that is soft to the touch and with a portion being made of cotton. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said top surface comprises an exterior made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein portable mattress topper is comprised of an interior foam member that is inserted into each of said three mattress topper sub-sections via a zipper and said interior foam members are:
 replaceable; 
 comprised of high density foam selected from any of the group consisting essentially of:
 44-180, 
 45-165, or 
 45-170 foam; and, 
 
 have a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3 inches. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method of unfolding a multi-section mattress topper comprising the steps of:
 disrupting a first interface between a base surface of a second side mattress topper section and a top surface of a first side mattress topper section by folding a second connector relative to said interface;   disrupting a second interface between a base surface of the first side mattress topper and a base surface of a central mattress topper section by folding a first connector relative to said second interface; and,   placing the bases of said first side, second side, and central mattress topper sections on the floor of the child's play yard.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of ensuring that said mattress topper subsections are in abutment.