Crib Height Extending Bumper

Abstract

Semi-rigid foam bumpers configured to strategically increase the climb over height of a crib to hinder a young toddler from attempting to climb out of the crib and possibly risking injury are described. The bumpers are comprise a sufficiently rigid foam that they do not compress appreciably when handled thus maintaining their form when leaned on or otherwise handled by a budding toddler, yet they are soft and forgiving enough not to harm a child that falls into or against them.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A crib height extender, the extender comprising:
 a unitary bumper made of a single material having a length and having similar cross section along its entire length, the bumper being characterized by a upper portion and a bottom portion,
 the upper portion comprising an upwardly facing convex arcuate ridge with an apex, and 
 the lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion and comprising opposing downwardly extending left and right legs defining a recess, the recess being configured to be resiliently received over a top rail of a side of a crib. 
   
     
     
         2 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein the upper section includes a cylindrical opening that extends lengthwise along the length of the bumper therein. 
     
     
         3 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper is comprised of a polymeric foam. 
     
     
         4 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric foam is polyethylene foam. 
     
     
         5 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper is comprised a solid polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more strap slots, the strap slots extending generally horizontally through the bumper from one edge to an opposing edge proximate an intersection of the upper and lower portions. 
     
     
         7 . The crib height extender of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more straps, each strap including a closure mechanism and being configured to be received through a strap slot of the one or more strap slots. 
     
     
         8 . The crib height extender of  claim 7 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a buckle. 
     
     
         9 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein the convex arcuate ridge transitions into a concave portion on right and left lengthwise extending sides proximate an intersection of the upper and lower portions. 
     
     
         10 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is defined by facing concave inside surfaces on the left and right legs. 
     
     
         11 . The crib height extender of  claim 10 , wherein the recess is further defined by a downwardly facing top side including a portion having a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         12 . The crib height extender of  claim 1 , wherein (i) the upper section includes a cylindrical opening that extends lengthwise along the length of the bumper therein, and (ii) one or more slots extend generally horizontally through the bumper from one edge to an opposing edge proximate an intersection of the upper and lower portions, the crib height extender further comprising one or more straps, each strap including a closure mechanism and being configured to be received through a strap slot of the one or more strap slots. 
     
     
         13 . The crib height extender of  claim 12 , wherein the recess is defined by (i) facing concave inside surfaces on the left and right legs, and (ii) a downwardly facing top side including a portion having a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         14 . The crib height extender of  claim 13 , wherein the convex arcuate ridge transitions into a convex portion on right and left lengthwise extending sides proximate an intersection of the upper and lower portions. 
     
     
         15 . A kit for extending the effective height of a crib, the kit including: at least four bumpers of  claim 1 , the length of each bumper being similar. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for extending the effective height of a crib, the kit including: at least four bumpers of  claim 6 , the length of each bumper being similar; and a plurality of straps, each strap being configured to be received through a strap slot of the one or more strap slots. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for extending the effective height of a crib, the kit including: at least three bumpers of  claim 1 , two of the bumpers having a first length and one of the bumpers having a second length, the first length being shorter than the second length. 
     
     
         18 . A combination comprising the crib and at least one bumper of  claim 7 , wherein the recess of the bumper is received over the top rail of the side of the crib and secured in place by the one or straps received through the one or more slots and wherein the one or more straps extend around the top rail. 
     
     
         19 . A combination comprising the crib and a plurality of bumpers of  claim 7 , wherein (a) the recess of at least one bumper is received over a top rail of a left side of the crib, (b) the recess of at least one bumper is received over a top rail of a right side of the crib, and (c) the recess of at least one bumper is received over a top rail of a front side of the crib. 
     
     
         20 . A crib height extender system for cribs, the system comprising one or more semi-rigid bumpers configured for receipt over a top rail of a sidewall of the crib, each of the one or more bumpers effectively increasing the climb over height of the associated crib sidewall at least three inches.