Nursing cover

Abstract

A nursing cover and uses thereof are disclosed. An exemplary nursing cover includes a first cord having a clip on each of two ends of the first cord. The nursing cover also includes a second cord attached on one end substantially at a midpoint of the first cord, the second cord having a clip on the other end of the second cord. Any two of the clips are configured to attach on opposite corners of one side of a cover, the third clip attaching between the other two clips to the same side of the cover as the other two clips

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/104,749 for “Anytime Nursing Cover” of Julie Pate Gurule, filed Oct. 12, 2008, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

There are many reasons a new mother may choose to breastfeed or nurse her newborn baby, including personal preference and possible health benefits. Because a mother cannot always be at home or in another private area when the baby needs to be fed, there are a number of cover-ups available in the marketplace which provide a mother a degree of privacy for nursing her baby in a public environment. However, nursing a baby in a public environment is difficult and potentially embarrassing if the cover-up is not reliable in shielding her exposed upper body.

By way of example, some commercially available cover-ups may be sold as a so-called “one-size-fits-all.” Due to the wide variety of body shapes and sizes, such cover-ups may be too loose and may drop down or fall off entirely while the mother is nursing her baby. Other cover-ups may be too big and bulky and unnecessarily take up too much space in a diaper bag, reducing the space available in the diaper bag for other essential supplies. Big and bulky cover-ups can also make the mother and/or baby unnecessarily hot and uncomfortable. Recognizing the inadequacies in these cover-ups, some mothers simply use blankets to cover themselves while nursing their baby in public. However, the use of blankets still may be hot and uncomfortable. In addition, the blankets typically cannot be secured and therefore can easily fall off when positioning or repositioning the baby during nursing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a nursing cover including a cord assembly which may be implemented with any of a wide variety of different types of covers.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a woman wearing the nursing cover.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a woman wearing the nursing cover.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a woman using the nursing cover to nurse her baby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or substantially the same parts or operations. The drawings are in simplified form and not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front may be used with respect to the accompanying drawings. These and similar directional terms, should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a nursing cover 10 including a cord assembly 20 which may be implemented with any of a wide variety of different types of covers 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the cord assembly 20 is a tri-cord assembly. The tri-cord assembly may comprise a first cord 21, a second cord 22, and a third cord 23. Alternatively, the tri-cord assembly may comprise a single cord (including portions 21 and 22) and another cord 23, wherein the cord 23 is attached substantially at a midpoint of the first cord to form two arms (portions 21 and 22). Still other embodiments of the cord assembly 20 are contemplated, including different numbers and/or configurations of cords.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cord assembly 20 may include a connector device 25 for connecting the cords 21, 22, and 23 to one another. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the connector device 25 comprises a T-connector. However, the nursing cover 10 is not limited to any particular type of connector device 25 for the cord assembly. Nor is the nursing cover 10 limited to use of a connector device at all. For example, the cord assembly 20 may be manufactured as a single piece.

The cord assembly 20 also includes a number of clips 26, 27, and 28. A clip 26, 27, and 28 may be provided on each arm of the cord assembly 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three clips 26, 27, and 28 are provided, each clip 26, 27, and 28 attached to one end of the cord assembly 20. The clips 26, 27, and 28 may be so-called “alligator” style clips. Although alligator clips are easier to connect and generally less expensive to manufacture, other types of clips may also be used. For example, suspender-style clips conventionally used for clothing suspenders may also be implemented. Such clips may require additional effort to operate, but the locking mechanism offers additional security for the user. Still other types of clips, or even other types of fastening mechanism, are also contemplated. Selection of an appropriate clip or other fastening mechanism will depend on a number of design considerations, such as, manufacturing cost, weight and type of the cover, desired securement, etc.

The clips 26, 27, and 28 may be configured for use with a suitable cover 30 to shield a woman's chest from view while nursing a baby. In an exemplary embodiment, any two clips (e.g., clips 26 and 27) may be attached substantially on opposite corners of one side of the cover 30. The third clip (e.g., clip 28) may be attached to the cover between the other two clips. Such a configuration may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 as worn by user 50.

For use, one of the three clips (e.g., clip 27) secures the cover 30 in front of a user's first (e.g., right) shoulder 51. One of the three clips (e.g., clip 26) secures the cover 30 in front of the user's second (e.g., left) shoulder 52. One of the three clips (e.g., clip 28) secures the cover 30 behind the user's second shoulder 52. Accordingly, the mother 50 may hold her baby 55 under the cover for nursing as shown in FIG. 4. The mother 50 may move her baby 55 under the cover 30 and out from other the cover 30, e.g., on the side 60 where the cover 30 is only attached in front of her shoulder 51. The other side of the cover 30 is securely wrapped around her other shoulder 52 (e.g., as best seen in FIG. 3) so that the baby 55 moving, or the mother 50 moving her arm 53, does not inadvertently expose the side 61 of her chest.

According to the embodiment just described, cords 21 and 22 are in front of the user and cord 23 is behind the user's shoulder. Such a configuration allows the cord assembly 20 to lay flat against the user's chest. However it is to be appreciated that such an embodiment is not necessary. Indeed, a cord assembly may be provided such that any of the cords can be positioned anywhere on the user during use while still realizing the benefit of having the cord assembly lay flat against the user's chest.

It is noted that the nursing cover 10 may also be configured for any of a wide variety of body sizes, types, and/or shapes. The nursing cover 10 may be customized for a particular user. For example, at least one of the cords 21, 22, and 23 in the cord assembly 20 may be adjustable in size (e.g., in length). In other example, at least one of the cords 21, 22, and 23 is elastic so that the cord(s) stretches. Of course any suitable sized cover 30 may also be used in this regard to accommodate different body sizes, types, and/or shapes.

The nursing cover 10 may be readily folded and packaged for sale, e.g., in vending machines near baby changing stations in public areas. The nursing cover 10 may be sold with or without the cover 30. Or the nursing cover 10 may be sold with a disposable cover. Additional disposable covers may be purchased separately and/or the user may use other suitable covers after purchasing the cord assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cover 30 may be any suitable item. For example, the cover 30 may be a cloth, a shirt, scarf, or other clothing article, a towel, a receiving blanket or other blanket, paper, plastic bag, or other items commonly available (e.g., items which the mother may already carry in her diaper bag). The cover 30 may be commonly used for a primary purpose (e.g., a plastic bag for disposing of soiled diapers or even a newspaper), and its use as a cover 30 is a secondary purpose. Of course the cover 30 may also be different colors/patterns/styles so that the user can tailor the nursing cover 10 to her personal taste.

The cover 30 also enables the nursing cover 10 to be tailored or configured to the user's own desires. For example, the user may desire a lighter weight cover 30 in warmer environments, and a heavier weight cover 30 in cooler environments. The user can also customize the type of cover 30, e.g., to match her clothing (e.g., formal wear or casual).

Optionally, the cover 30 may be provided with pockets for holding the mother's keys or other items while she is nursing the baby. Likewise, the cover 30 may be provided with a zipper (or Velcro or other closure means) around at least a portion of the cover so that the cover can be folded and maintained as a bundle for easy storage in the diaper bag, purse, backpack, etc. Other configurations are also contemplated even though not specified herein, and may be implemented based on design and/or cost considerations.

Although nursing cover 10 has been described herein with reference to the drawings as it may be used for nursing a baby, it is noted that the nursing cover 10 is not limited to any particular type of use. The nursing cover 10 may also have application in other environments such as a baby delivery room, and indeed, other uses such as medical treatment, as will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

It is noted that reference to numbers (e.g., first cord, second cord, etc.), directions, and so forth are only intended to clarify the description herein with regard to the drawings and claims, and are not intended to be limiting to any particular order, configuration, or use.

In addition to the specific embodiments explicitly set forth herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and illustrated embodiments be considered as examples only.

Claims

1. A nursing cover comprising:

a first cord having a clip on each of two ends of the first cord;

a second cord attached on one end substantially at a midpoint of the first cord, the second cord having a clip on the other end of the second cord; and

wherein any two of the clips are configured to attach on opposite corners of one side of a cover, the third clip attaching between the other two clips to the same side of the cover as the other two clips, the three-clip configuration providing side coverage and added security.

2. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein one of the clips attached to one of the corners of the cover secures the cover behind a user's shoulder, and wherein the third clip attached between the other two clips to the cover secures the cover in front of the user's same shoulder.

3. The nursing cover of claim 2 wherein the other clip attached to one of the corners of the cover secures the cover in front of the user's opposite shoulder.

4. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the first cord is adjustable in size.

5. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the second cord is adjustable in size.

6. The nursing cover of claim 1 further comprising a T-connector attaching the second cord to the first cord.

7. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the first cord is assembled by connecting at least two cords together.

8. The nursing cover of claim 1 configurable for different body sizes, types, and shapes.

9. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is selected from the group consisting essentially of a cloth, a shirt, and a towel.

10. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is a blanket.

11. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is paper.

12. The nursing cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is a plastic bag.

13. A nursing cover comprising:

a cord assembly connecting three cords together on one end;

three clips, each clip provided on an opposite end of each cord, any two clips attaching substantially on opposite corners of one side of a cover, the third clip attaching between the other two clips to the same side of the cover as the other two clips; and

wherein one of the three clips is configured to attach to one of the corners of the cover to secure the cover in front of a user's first shoulder, a second of the three clips is configured to attach between the other two clips to the cover to secure the cover in front of the user's second shoulder so that the cord assembly lays substantially flat on the user's chest, and a third of the three clips is configured to attach to the opposite corner of the cover to secure the cover behind the user's second shoulder.

14. The nursing cover of claim 13 wherein the three clips are configured to attach to the cover to shield a woman's chest from view while nursing a baby.

15. The nursing cover of claim 13 wherein at least one of the three cords is elastic so that the at least one of the three cords stretches.

16. The nursing cover of claim 13 wherein at least one of the three cords is adjustable in length.

17. The nursing cover of claim 13 further comprising a connector device connecting the three cords together on one end.

18. The nursing cover of claim 13 configurable for different body sizes, types, and shapes.

19. A nursing cover comprising:

a tri-cord assembly;

three clips each provided on one end of the tri-cord assembly, the three clips configured with a cover as follows to shield both the front and side of a woman's chest from view while nursing a baby: any two clips attaching substantially on opposite corners of one side of the cover, the third clip attaching to the cover between the other two clips, one of the three clips securing the cover in front of a user's first shoulder, one of the three clips securing the cover in front of the user's second shoulder, and one of the three clips securing the cover behind the user's second shoulder.

20. The nursing cover of claim 19 wherein the cover is commonly used for a primary purpose and use as a cover is a secondary purpose.