WEIGHTED ARM BIB

Abstract

A bib extends from the person's neck to the eating surface, thus eliminating foods of liquids from falling onto flooring, furniture and clothing while eating or engaging in other messy activities. The bib includes a bib body made of a liquid repellent material that can attach around a user's neck. Bib arms can extend from each side of the end of the bib body. The bib arms can be weighted to hold them on a table or other surface, where the bib body can extend from the wearer to the table, catching spills from the user that would otherwise end up on furniture, the floor or the user's lap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 61/512,361, filed Jul. 27, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bibs and, more particularly, to a bib that protects flooring, furniture and clothing against food and liquid spills.

Flooring, furniture and clothing are often soiled by children who are too old for high chairs but are still learning to become proficient with eating utensils. Food and liquids are often spilled, requiring time and effort to clean. Similarly, seniors or persons with disabilities may also spill food and liquids, contributing to the problem.

Current bibs only provide protection from the waist up. As a result, messes are frequently made below the waist, in particular, on laps, furniture and flooring. There is nothing to catch the food and liquids that fall during transport from the plate or bowl to the mouth. Cleaning flooring and furniture, as well as laundering clothing, is time consuming, labor intensive and expensive.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved bib that can protect against spills onto flooring and furniture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bib comprises a bib body having neck arms extending from a first end thereof; first and second weighted arms extending from a second end of the bib body; and a pocket disposed along a width of the bib body.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bib comprises a bib body having neck arms extending from a first end thereof; first and second weighted arms extending from a second end of the bib body; a non-slip backing applied to at least a portion of a bottom side of the first and second weighted arms; a pocket disposed along a width of the bib body; a fastener adapted to connect together a first neck arm with a second neck arm to secure the bib about a user's neck region; and a border trim disposed about an outer periphery of the bib.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bib in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bib of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the bib of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of an arm of the bib of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 6A is a top view of a bib according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of an arm of the bib of FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bib that extends from the person's neck to the eating surface, thus eliminating foods or liquids from falling onto flooring, furniture and clothing while eating or engaging in other messy activities. The bib includes a bib body made of a liquid repellent material that can attach around a user's neck. Bib arms can extend from each side of the end of the bib body. The bib arms can be weighted to hold them on a table or other surface, where the bib body can extend from the wearer to the table, catching spills from the user that would otherwise end up on furniture, the floor or the user's lap.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a bib 10 includes a bib body formed from a liquid repellant fabric/material exterior 14 having neck arms 18 extending from a first end of the bib body and weighted arms 20 extending from a second, opposite end of the bib body.

The neck arms 18 can form a loop adapted to fit about a neck region 34 of a user 30. In some embodiments, the neck arms 18 can be formed of a material that can tie, snap, button or otherwise fasten together. The fastener for holding the neck arms 18 together can be, for example, a hook and loop fastener 16, as shown in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the neck arms 18 can be a solid loop fitting over the user's head.

The weighted arms 20 can extend from one side of the bib body on opposite ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 3A. The weighted arms 20 can include a weighted inner material disposed between opposing pieces of the liquid repellent fabric/material exterior 14. The weighted arms 20 can rest on a table top or surface 28 (hereinafter referred to simply as table top 28, however this may refer to any type of surface on which the bib may be used) to keep the bib 10 in place when in use. Because the weighted arms 20 are spaced apart from each other, they do not interfere with the placement of food on the table top 28. At least a portion of a bottom surface of the weighted arms 20 can include a non-slip backing 40. This backing 40 can help keep the weighted arms 20 from sliding off the table top 28. This backing 40 can be a non-slip material, or can include other non-slip elements, such as suction cups, to keep the weighted arms 20 in place.

A logo region 26 can be provided in the front of the bib 10. The logo region 26 may be a place for advertisers to place a logo, for example. In some embodiments, the logo region 26 can be a region for placement of customized artwork, photos, embroidery, or the like.

A border trim 36 can be disposed about the perimeter of the bib 10, including the weighted arms 20. The border trim 36 can be sewn along an outer periphery of the bib 10.

A pocket 38 can be sewn into the bib 10. The pocket 38 can be disposed across the entire width of the bib 10 near where the weighted arms 20 extend from the bib body. The pocket 38 can be disposed to catch food that may be on the bib 10 when the user moves the weighted arms 20 off the table top 28 and lets them hang freely.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a bib 12 can be made with weighted arms 20 having a shape 24, such as a hand shape. Outside of the shape of the weighted arms 20, the bib 12 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B can be designed the same as the bib 10 referred to in FIGS. 1 through 5. The weighted arms 20 and the shapes 24 can include a non-slip backing 40 on a back side (table top contact side) thereof. In some embodiments, the shape 24 could be other geometric or non-geometric shapes, such as stars, animals, and the like.

To use the bib 10, 12 of the present invention, a user can simply place the bib around their neck and attach the closing mechanism, such as connecting the hook and loop fastener 16 on each of the neck arms 18. The weighted arms 20 can then be placed on the table top 28 to cause the bib to drape from the user to the table top 28. When one begins eating, any spills that would normally fall onto laps, furniture or flooring that would normally happen from transport of food from the eating surface to the mouth would be negated by the bib extending from the neck of the user all the way to the eating surface.

The bib of the present invention can be used by children, by hospitals for patients, by restaurants for patrons, in schools for use in arts and crafts, and by senior citizens/assisted living residents for residents. The bib of the present invention can also be used in the health and human services industry for persons with disabilities.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A bib comprising:

a bib body having neck arms extending from a first end thereof;

first and second weighted arms extending from a second end of the bib body; and

a pocket disposed along a width of the bib body.

2. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a logo region disposed on a front surface of the bib.

3. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a fastener adapted to connect together a first neck arm with a second neck arm to secure the bib about a user's neck region.

4. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a non-slip backing applied to at least a portion of a bottom side of the first and second weighted arms.

5. The bib of claim 1, wherein the first and second weighted arms include a shape at a distal end thereof.

6. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a border trim disposed about an outer periphery of the bib.

7. A bib comprising:

a bib body having neck arms extending from a first end thereof;

first and second weighted arms extending from a second end of the bib body;

a non-slip backing applied to at least a portion of a bottom side of the first and second weighted arms;

a pocket disposed along a width of the bib body;

a fastener adapted to connect together a first neck arm with a second neck arm to secure the bib about a user's neck region; and

a border trim disposed about an outer periphery of the bib.

8. The bib of claim 7, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

9. The bib of claim 7, further comprising a logo region disposed on a front surface of the bib. The bib of claim 7, The bib of claim 1, wherein the first and second weighted arms include a shape at a distal end thereof.