Combination Infant Shade and Nursing Blanket

Abstract

A cover for a child restraining device, such as a stroller or car seat, that is also configured for use as a nursing coverup. The cover includes a top and at least two sides extending downwardly from the top. The top and sides may include netting or mesh to provide ventilation and the top preferably further includes a flap that may be opened or closed. Snaps are positioned at appropriate location to allow the cover to be securely affixed to a stroller, car seat, or around the neck of a nursing mother. When positioned over a stroller or car seat the cover shields a child from the elements and encourages sleep. When used as a nursing coverup, the cover allows the mother to see the child while maintaining privacy. The cover may also include a pouch that allows the cover to be folded therein and used as a pillow.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/025,402, filed Feb. 1, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparel and seats and, more particularly, a cover that may be used as both a detachable cover for a child restraint and as a nursing coverup.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional covers for strollers and/or car seats only protect a child from the environment and do not promote a sleep environment. For example, parents typically use standard blankets to cover up the car seats, which have a tendency to fall off of the stroller or car seat, thereby uncovering the child and interfering with sleep. These systems also lack proper ventilation, and may easily overheat or even smother a child. In addition, blankets do not have any other uses and are ineffective as nursing aprons as they will also slip away or even as pillows as they rarely stay folded or rolled under a wriggling infant.

Fitted stroller and car seat covers are less likely to fall off of the child, but are limited in their use strictly as covers as they are incapable of being extended into a configuration for use as a blanket, pillow or even a nursing blanket. There exist many types of nursing coverings, such as blankets and nursing garments, for nursing women. These devices often will not enable the mother to view the breast feeding infant and are useless for any other purposes. Conventional blankets or aprons also typically lack a way of securing the blanket or apron to the mother, thus risking the possibility of slipping off and exposing the mother and child.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a multiple use cover that may be used as both a sleep aid and nursing blanket or coverup.

In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a cover that fits over a child restraining device, such as a stroller or car seat, to shield a child from the elements and encourage sleep. Cover includes comprises a top and a plurality of sides extending downwardly from the top. The top and sides may include netting or mesh to provide ventilation and the top preferably further includes a flap that may be opened or closed. The cover may be affixed in a first configuration in covering relation to the child restraint device by a series of snap, and affixed in a second configuration around the neck of a nursing mother using at least some of the same snaps. The mesh portions of top and sides are preferably positioned to allow air movement and viewing of the child regardless of whether the cover is affixed in the first or second configurations. The cover may also include a pouch that allows the cover to be folded therein and used as a pillow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover according to the present invention affixed in a first configuration over one type of child restraint device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover according to the present invention affixed in a first configuration over another type of child restraint device.

FIG. 3 is a top plan of a cover according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan of a pouch for the cover according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a cover according to the present invention affixed in a second configuration around the neck of a nursing mother.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIGS. 1 through 3 a cover 10 that fits over a child restraining device, such as a stroller 12 and/or car seat 14, to shield a child positioned within the stroller 12 from the elements and encouraging sleep. Cover 10 wraps around the top of a stroller 12 or car seat 14 to provide shade while allowing for ventilation. Cover 10 is preferably manufactured from a machine washable, double layer woven fabric sufficient for use as a blanket, such as cotton or polyester. An optimum size for cover 10 in an unfolded position is forty-five by forty-one inches.

Cover 10 generally comprises a top 16 and a plurality of sides 18 extending downwardly from top 16 to define a cavity 20 therein for enclosing the child. Top 16 and/or sides 18 may include at least a portion 28 thereof formed from netting or mesh to provide ventilation for a child positioned under cover 10. Top 16 preferably further comprises a flap 22 that may be opened or closed and positioned such that a parent may easily view a child inside cavity 20.

Cover 10 may be retained over stroller 12 or car seat 14 by a series of snaps 24 positioned along sides 18. Preferably, when cover 10 is unsnapped and removed from stroller 12 or car seat 14 it is capable of being opened into a substantially planar configuration for use as a blanket. In particular, cover 10 may be used as a nursing blanket to cover a child during the nursing process. Snaps 24 may be used to enclose cover 10 more closely around mother and child to provide privacy during the nursing process. For example, the placement of snaps 24 in the appropriate locations will allow cover 10 to be releasably affixed around the neck of a nursing mother to hold cover 10 in place. Those of skill in the art with recognize that the means for affixing cover 10 to a stroller 12 or car seat 14 may optionally comprise Velcro-style hook and loop strips, buckles, buttons and the like.

As seen FIG. 4, cover 10 may include a pocket 26 formed into an interior portion thereof so that cover 10 may be folded into pouch 26 for storage or use as a pillow. A user simple folds sides 18 inwardly until aligned with pocket 26, folds cover 10 into pouch 26, and then turns cover 10 inside out to form a pillow. As seen in FIG. 5, cover 10 may be turned on its side such that flap 22 is in the front, and then snapped around the neck of the user to be used as a nursing blanket. Flap 22 then allows for eye contact with a child positioned under cover 10.

Claims

1. A multiple use child cover, comprising:

a central portion including a flap formed therein for movement between an open and a closed position;

a plurality of side portions extending from said central portion, wherein at least two of said side portions include ventilation elements; and

means for affixing said cover in a first configuration in covering relation to a child restraining device so that said flap is poisoned over said child, and in a second configuration in covering relation to a nursing child so that said flap is positioned over said child.

2. The cover of claim 1, further including a pouch into which said central portion and said plurality of sides may be folded to form a pillow.

3. The cover of claim 2, wherein said ventilation elements are positioned on opposite sides of said child restraining device when said cover in affixed in said first configuration.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein said means for affixing comprise snaps.

5. The cover of claim 3, wherein said means for affixing comprise hook and loop strips.

6. The cover of claim 3, wherein said central portion, plurality of sides, and flap are integrally formed.

7. The cover of claim 6, wherein said cover is formed from double layer fabric.