Device for fastening a pacifier to the clothing of a child

Abstract

A device for the fastening of a pacifier to the clothing of a child with a flexible band, means for fastening on a pacifier on one end of the band and a clip for fastening to the clothing of a child on the other end of the band, which has a disk-like carrier with two arms on one side, each of which has a claw on the end, which are pivotable through actuation of at least one spring-elastic arm from a together position into an apart position and return to the together position when the arms are released.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for the fastening of a pacifier on the clothing of a child.

Pacifiers serve to satisfy infants' and small children's need to suckle and to thereby calm them. Pacifiers mainly consist of a mouthpiece, which is usually made of latex or silicone, and a shield, which prevents the mouthpiece from being swallowed. It is important to keep the mouthpiece clean. If the pacifier is first used after a cleaning, this is unproblematic. If the pacifier falls on the ground, it can get dirty and cannot be used again right away if suitable cleaning options are not available. When the child loses the pacifier at night, it often cannot find it in the waking period, resulting in sleep being disrupted for a sustained period.

Devices are already known for the fastening of a pacifier on the clothing of a child, which prevent a pacifier from falling out of the child's mouth onto the floor and making it easier for the child to find a lost pacifier at night. Such a device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,157 and comprises a plastic band, which is fastened on a retaining ring of a pacifier via a loop on one end and is connected with a clip for fastening on the child's clothing via another loop on the other end. The clip is made of a single piece of plastic. It has two arms, which are connected with each other on one end, wherein a strap with a perforation protrudes from the connection area, through which another loop is fed. The arms overlap each other and have two claws on the other end, which rest against each other under pretensioning. For this, the arms of the clip are forced over each other after production and are held in overlapping arrangement by a retaining rod connected with an arm.

The known device has the disadvantage that the establishment of the connection with the pacifier is laborious. However, the pacifier must be regularly separated from the device for fastening on the child's clothing for cleaning purposes. In addition, the known device cannot be fastened on a pacifier with a stud.

It is also disadvantageous that the clip can easily detach from the child's clothing, since the two open-lying arms just need to be pressed together slightly. The clip is also unsuitable for fastening on a hem because the arms are aligned diagonal to the clamping surfaces of the two jaws so that the clip with the deploying arms would be located perpendicular on the clothing. As a result, a perpendicularly protruding fold on which the clip is fastened such that the deploying arms rest on the outside of the clothing is introduced for the fastening of the clip in the clothing. Fastening on a small fold is also not secure so that the clip can easily come loose.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,298 B1 describes a combination of a clip with a cover for a pacifier and a band. The cover has a hollow space for a suction body of the pacifier. The band is fastened on a claw of the clip. The fastening and the releasing of the clip on the child's clothing is hindered by the expansive cover. Moreover, the band can get between the claws during fastening and the unwanted removal of the clip from the clothing can be facilitated.

JP 2005000313 A describes a pacifier with emergency breathing holes.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a device for the fastening of a pacifier on the clothing of a child, which can be easily fastened and released.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device according to the invention for the fastening a pacifier on the clothing of a child has

• • a flexible band
  • a clip on one end of the flexible band for fastening on the clothing of a child and
  • a buckle on the other end of the flexible band, which has an elastic fastening ring for forcing it over the stud of a pacifier on one side and a strap on the other side, which can be hooked in the fastening ring if it is stuck through the holding ring of a pacifier and bent back.

The device according to the invention can be fastened in a simple manner both on a pacifier with a stud as well as on a pacifier with a holding ring. In the case of the first mentioned pacifier type, the fastening ring is simply forced above the stud. In the case of the second mentioned pacifier type, the fastening ring is fed through the holding ring and bent back so that it surrounds the fastening ring in a loop-like manner. The loop is then closed by hooking the strap into the bent-back fastening ring. The strap is also preferably elastic. In both cases, a secure connection is achieved between the band and the pacifier, which can also be easily released by an adult, in particular if the pacifier needs to be cleaned.

The band can be fastened in a different manner on the buckle, for example through adhesion or fusion. In accordance with one embodiment, the buckle is disk-like and has two parallel slits for feeding through the pacifier band. One end of the pacifier can be passed through the two slits and for example closed through knotting.

In accordance with another embodiment, the buckle is circular-disk-shaped. In accordance with another embodiment, the fastening ring and the strap protrude outward from diametrically opposed edges of the fastening buckle.

In accordance with another embodiment, the buckle, the fastening ring and the strap are designed as one piece.

In accordance with another embodiment, the buckle, the fastening ring and the loop are made of plastic or silicone.

The device according to the invention for fastening a pacifier on the clothing of a child has

• • a flexible band
  • means for fastening on a pacifier on one end of the band and
  • a clip for fastening on the clothing of a child on the other end of the band, which has a disk-like carrier with two arms on one side, each of which has a claw on the end, which are pivotable through actuation of at least one spring-elastic arm from a together position into an apart position and return to the together position when the arms are released, wherein the carrier has a slit near the edge, through which a section of the band is fed.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the arms protrude from the same side of the disk-like carrier. The clip can be fastened on a hem of the clothing, wherein the carrier is aligned parallel to the top side of the clothing near the hem. This promotes the secure fastening of the clip. The arrangeability of the clip on the pacifier favors the large design of the claws, which in turn benefits the secure fastening of the clip on the clothing. Due to the fact that the carrier covers the clip, the actuation of the clip by the child is hindered. However, the adult can actuate it without problem by pushing the pointer finger under the spring-elastic arm, placing the thumb on the carrier and squeezing the pointer finger and thumb together. If the pacifier falls out of the mouth, the child can easily find it by feeling its way along

• • the band to the pacifier starting from the smooth surface of the carrier easily differentiable from a pacifier.

In accordance with one embodiment, the carrier has a circular or oval shape. In accordance with another embodiment, the carrier has at least one emergency breathing hole in case a child swallows the clip.

The carrier has a slit near the edge for feeding through a section of the band. One end of the band can be inserted through the slit and closed to a loop, for example through knotting.

In accordance with one embodiment, the arms are lamellar so that they do not exert any uncomfortable pressure on the body surface.

In accordance with another embodiment, the arms have recesses on sides facing each other, where the arms grip into each other. This favors a one-piece design of the clip made of plastic, which is basically described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,157, in the case of the lamellar design of the arms.

In accordance with another embodiment, the claws are disk-like, whereby large clamping surfaces for a secure fixation are favored. According to another embodiment, the claws are provided on the facing sides with means for gripping on a piece of clothing for secure fastening. These means are for example protruding teeth or ribs. Protruding ribs preferably have a saw-tooth profile.

In accordance with one embodiment, the clip is produced as one piece. In accordance with another embodiment, it is made of plastic, for example polypropylene. In accordance with another embodiment, the clip is injection-molded. The clip is preferably injection-molded such that the insides of the claws are facing away from each other after removal from the injection-molding tool and are forced above each other under lateral evasive movements of the arms so that they rest against each other in their initial position with the insides under elastic pretensioning. In this respect, production mainly corresponds with production of the one-piece clip according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,157. In its preferred embodiment, the arms are heated in boiling water before they are forced above each other mechanically so that no stress whitening occurs when the arms are forced over each other.

In accordance with another embodiment, the clip is printed at least on the side of the carrier facing away from the arms. The printing can for example be a graphic and/or mark of the manufacturer as is usual for pacifiers.

In accordance with one embodiment, the band is made of a film or a textile material. A textile material is a flexible material made up of a composite of fibers.

In accordance with one embodiment, the band is made of plastic or a natural material. In accordance with another embodiment, the band is made of polyester.

The band is for example a fiber or a cord. In accordance with one embodiment, the band is a flat material.

In accordance with one embodiment, one end of a section of the band fed through an opening of the clip and/or the means for fastening is sewed and/or adhered and/or fused and/or hooked and/or knotted and/or spliced and/or interlaced and/or connected with buttons with the band at a distance from the end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The device according to the invention is explained below based on the figures, which show preferred exemplary embodiments. The figures show the following:

FIG. 1 the device fastened on a pacifier with a holding ring in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 the device fastened on a pacifier with a stud in a perspective view;

FIG. 3 the clip of the device before the forcing of the arms above each other in a side view;

FIG. 4 the clip after the arms have been forced over each other in an enlarged side view (FIG. 4 shows the claws with fewer ribs than in FIG. 3);

FIG. 5 the buckle with fastening ring and strap on the end of the band in a front view;

FIG. 6 the strap hooked into the bent-back fastening ring in a perspective view;

FIG. 7 a clip with scissor-like opening in a roughly schematic side view in the closed state (FIG. 7.1) and in the open state (FIG. 7.2);

FIG. 8 a clip with an even opening in the closed state (FIG. 8.1) and in the open state (FIG. 8.2);

FIG. 9 arms of a clip with a small number of ribs on the claws in a side view;

FIG. 10 arms of a clip with a large number of ribs on the claws, the height of which decreases with increasing distance from the free end of the claws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device has a flexible band 1. The band 1 is for example a textile made of plastic fibers.

A clip 2 is fastened on one end of the band 1. Means for fastening 3 on a pacifier 4 with retaining ring 5 (FIG. 1) or respectively pacifier 6 with stud 7 (FIG. 2) are fastened on the other end of the band 1. The pacifiers 4, 6 each have a shield 8, from the concave inside of which protrudes a mouthpiece 9.

According to FIG. 3, the clip 2 has a disk-like carrier 10 with emergency breathing holes 11. Lamellar arms 12, 13 protrude from one side of the disk-like carrier 10. The arm 12 is bent slightly outward. The arms 12, 13 are slightly tilted in the same direction at an acute angle to the disk-like carrier 10 and have claws 14, 15 on the ends. The claws 14, 15 are bent with respect to the arms 12, 13 such that they are aligned approximately parallel to the carrier 10 in the case of forced-over arms 12, 13 (see FIG. 4). The claws 14, 15 have on the insides, which are facing each other in the case of arms 12, 13 forced above each other, each several, parallel, serrated ribs 16, 17. The arms 12, 13 have recesses 19, 20 on the sides. The arm 13 has a rib 13.1 on the inside, which prevents the penetration and clamping of a finger between arm 13 and carrier 10.

The carrier 10 has an oval shape and has in the edge area, where the oval has a small radius, a slit 18, through which one end of the band 1 can be fed (FIGS. 1 and 2).

The clip 2 is produced as one piece through injection molding from polypropylene. After removal from the injection-molding tool, the clip is heated in boiling water and the arms 12, 13 are forced over each other so that the recesses 19, engage with each other. The claws 14, 15 then rest against each other under pretension with their ribbed insides.

One end of the band 1 is inserted through the slit 18 and the inserted end is sewn and/or adhered and/or fused with the band 1.

The means for the fastening 3 on the pacifier have a circular-disk-shaped fastening buckle 21 in accordance with FIG. 5, which has two parallel slits 22, 23 for inserting one end of the band 1. A fastening ring 24 and a strap 25 protrude outward from opposite edges of the fastening buckle 21. These means for the fastening 3 on a pacifier are made as one piece from plastic or silicone, for example through injection-molding.

These means for fastening 3 on a pacifier are connected with an end of the band 1 fed through the slit in a loop-like manner and sewn and/or adhered and/or fused with the band 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

According to FIGS. 1 and 6, the means for the fastening 3 with a pacifier 4 can be connected with a holding ring 5 in that the fastening ring 24 is inserted through the holding ring 5 and bent back and the strap 25 is then hooked in.

According to FIG. 2, the means for the fastening 3 with a pacifier 6 are connected with a stud 7, in that the fastening ring 24 is forced over the stud 7.

The connection between the device and the pacifier 4, 6 can be easily separated from each other in the opposite direction.

Furthermore, the device can be securely fastened on a hem through clamping of clip 2.

According to FIG. 7, a clip 2.1 on a carrier 10.1 has arms 12.1, 13.1, which are arranged parallel to each other with their claws 14.1, 15.1 in the closed state (FIG. 7.1) and open up like scissors with their claws 14.1, 15.1 in the open state (FIG. 7.2).

According to FIG. 8, a clip 2.2 on a carrier 10.2 has arms 12.2, 13.2, which are arranged at an acute angle with respect to each other with their claws 14.2, 15.2 in the closed state (FIG. 8.1) and are almost parallel to each other with their claws 14.2, 15.2 in the open state (FIG. 8.2).

According to FIG. 9, a clip 2.3 has arms 12.3, 13.3, wherein the arm 12.3 on the claw 14.3 is only provided with one rib 16.3 and the arm 13.3 on its claw 15.3 is provided with two ribs 17.3. The rib 16.3 engages in the closed state of the clip 2.3 between the ribs 17.3.

According to FIG. 10, a clip 2.4 has arms 12.4, 13.4. The claw 14.4 of the arm 12.4 is provided with several parallel ribs 16.4, the height of which decreases away from the free end of the arm 12.4. The arm 13.4 is provided on the claw 14.4 with several parallel ribs 17.4, the height of which also decreases away from the free end of the arm 13.4.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto

Claims

1. A device for the fastening of a pacifier on the clothing of a child with a flexible band (1),

a clip (2) on one end of the flexible band (1) for fastening on the clothing of a child and

a buckle (21) on the other end of the flexible band (1), which has an elastic fastening ring (24) for forcing it over the stud (7) of a pacifier (6) on one side and a strap (25) on the other side, which can be hooked in the fastening ring (24) if it is fed through the holding ring (5) of a pacifier (4) and bent back.

2. The device according to claim 1, in which the buckle (21) is disk-like and has two parallel slits (22, 23) for feeding through the band (1).

3. The device according to claim 1, in which the buckle (21) is circular-disk-shaped, oval or polygonal.

4. The device according to claim 1, in which the fastening ring (24) and the strap (25) protrude outward from diametrically opposed edges of the buckle (21).

5. The device according to claim 1 in which the buckle (21), the fastening ring (24) and the strap (25) are designed as one piece.

6. The device according to claim 1, in which the buckle (21), the fastening ring (24) and the strap (25) are made of plastic or silicone.

7. A device for the fastening of a pacifier on a child's clothing, in particular according to claim 1, with

a flexible band (1),

means for the fastening (3) on a pacifier on one end of the band (1) and a clip (2) for fastening on the clothing of a child on the other end of the band (1),

which has a disk-like carrier (10) with two arms (12, 13) on one side, each of which has a claw (14, 15) on the end, which are pivotable through actuation of at least one spring-elastic arm (13) from a together position into an apart position and return to the together position when the arm (13) is released, wherein the carrier (10) has a slit (18) near the edge, through which a section of the band (1) is fed.

8. The device according to claim 7, in which the carrier (10) has a circular or oval shape.

9. The device according to claim 7, in which the carrier (10) has at least one emergency breathing hole (11).

10. The device according to claim 7, in which the arms (12, 13) are mainly lamellar.

11. The device according to claim 7, in which the arms (12, 13) have recesses (19, 20) on facing sides, where the arms (12, 13) engage with each other.

12. The device according to claim 7, in which the claws (14, 15) are disk-like.

13. The device according to claim 7, in which the claws (14, 15) on the facing sides have means for gripping (16, 17) on a piece of clothing.

14. The device according to claim 7, in which the clip (2) is made of single piece of plastic and in which the clip (2) is injection-molded such that the insides of the claws (14, 15) are facing away from each other and are then forced over each other under lateral evasive movements of the arms (12, 13) so that they rest against each other in their initial position under elastic pretensioning.

15. The device according to claim 7, in which the clip (2) is printed at least on the side of the carrier (10) facing away from the arms (12, 13).