BABY HANDLING DEVICE

Abstract

A baby handling device includes a horseshoe-shaped pillow formed of resilient material that has a center section of a first height and adjacent first and second side sections that taper to first and second ends of a second, lower height. A support platform is formed of flexible material and extends between an upper surface of the center section and upper surfaces of the side sections. A removable, cover is shaped to fit over the horseshoe-shaped pillow and the support platform. A restraining blanket is formed of flexible material and is removably and adjustably attached to an underside and a top surface of the cover. The pillow provides support for a baby's head and neck. The support platform provides a determined position for the baby's body and the restraining blanket constrains movement of the baby's arms. A combination fastening and carrying strap secures the device in a compact bundle for transport.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The instant application is a continuation of PCT/US2013/068703, filed Nov. 6, 2013 and currently pending. The disclosure of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of infant care items and more specifically to a combination device for baby swaddling, support during breast feeding and other baby handling functions and use as an infant sleeping bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Newborn children and infants require special and specific care to avoid injury when handled for feeding or even when left to rest. As infant neck muscles are just developing, it is critical that the baby's head be supported when the baby is leaned backward as it might be for feeding. When infants are placed in cribs to sleep, it is important that they are prevented from turning themselves face down where they could smother against the surface of the crib. For this reason, a means to prevent the infant from using his or her arms while sleeping is necessary. To address this problem, various techniques and devices have been developed to swaddle the infant and cause it to sleep safely on his or her back. As the baby grows, it is often desirable to have a portable, ready-made bed or sleeping bag for the baby to use when away from home. Various solutions to these problems have been proposed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,760, issued to Bartley et al. is directed to a nursing pillow and methods. This device, a support pillow, includes a horseshoe shaped pillow body disposed around a well region. A support member is fixed in a portion of the well and is provided to support some or all of an object resting on the pillow. Construction of the pillow can vary with the top and bottom pieces being cut into U-shaped pieces and sewn together or two continuous pieces and sewn together with a seam forming the interior section of the U-shape providing structure for a continuous transition from the pillow sections to the support member. Pockets may be included on the outer periphery of the pillow.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,354, issued to Fader is directed to a baby sleeping pouch method and apparatus. This device is a pouch. A baby may be placed on a wedge pillow and positioned with in the pouch. Additionally, it is suggested that the baby may be swaddled in a blanket prior to insertion into the pouch.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,025, issued to Crispino et al. illustrates a bed covering system. This system includes a lower sheet and an upper sheet. At least one expandable flap joins the edges of the lower and upper sheets. A pocket may be supplied on the lower sheet near the pillow or pillow encasement.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,165, issued to Morgillo discloses an infant safety device. This safety device includes a U-shaped pillow support portion and a harness portion. A pillow case may be provided to cover the U-shaped pillow. In this embodiment, the harness portion is fixed to the pillow case.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,516,638, issued to Kummerfeld et al. is directed to a feeding pillow with a removable surface. The feeding pillow is generally U-Shaped or C-Shaped. The pillow has a pocket. A support member is positioned in the pocket and may be removed through an opening.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a convenient baby support for breast feeding and other purposes in which the baby's head must be supported. It is a further objective to provide a device for constraining a baby's arms while resting or sleeping. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a compact infant sleeping bag for use when traveling. It is yet a further objective to provide a baby handling device that can be easily maintained in a sanitary condition. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a baby handling device that is inexpensive, attractive, light weight and easily manufactured.

While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art baby handling device inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.

(1) A baby handling device may be constructed from the following components. A horseshoe-shaped pillow is provided. The pillow is formed of resilient material, has a center section of a first height and adjacent first and second side sections that taper to opposite first and second ends of a second, lower height. A removable, washable cover is provided. The cover is sized and shaped to fit over the horseshoe-shaped pillow and provides a support platform. The platform is formed of flexible material and extends between an upper surface of the center section and at least a portion of upper surfaces of the side sections, said support platform becoming concave when supporting a baby. A restraining blanket is provided. The blanket is formed of flexible material and is removably and adjustably attached to at least an underside and a top surface of the cover of the horseshoe-shaped pillow. The horseshoe-shaped pillow provides support for a baby's head and neck. The support platform provides a determined position for the baby's body and the restraining blanket constrains movement of the baby's arms.

(2) In a variant of the invention, the horseshoe-shaped pillow is formed of impermeable material.

(3) In another variant, the removable cover further includes a storage pocket.

(4) In still another variant, the restraining blanket is attached to the removable cover with a plurality of fastening devices selected from the group that includes snaps, hook and eye combinations, buttons, looping and hooking fasteners and zippers.

(5) In yet another variant, the fastening devices provide attachment for the restraining blanket at a first position. The first position attaches the blanket at approximately shoulder height for a baby on at least the underside of the removable cover. The first position constrains the arms of the baby.

(6) In a further variant, the fastening devices provide attachment for the restraining blanket at a second position. The second position attaches the blanket at approximately abdomen height for a baby on at least the underside of the removable cover. The second position permits movement of arms of the baby.

(7) In still a further variant, the fastening devices provide attachment for the restraining blanket at a series of points on the underside of the removable cover, permitting use of the device as a sleeping bag for a baby of increasing height.

(8) In yet a further variant, the horseshoe-shaped pillow further includes an electrically operated vibrating element. The vibrating element causes the device to provide a soothing vibration to induce sleep in a baby.

(9) In another variant of the invention, the horseshoe-shaped pillow further includes at least one loudspeaker and electrically operated music source. The music source provides music to provide a calming environment for a baby.

(10) In still another variant, a combination fastening and carrying strap is provided. The strap serves to hold the device in a compact bundle and to provide a carrying handle. The strap is attached to either the removable cover or the restraining blanket with any of stitching, snaps, hook and eye combinations, buttons, looping and hooking fasteners and zippers.

(11) In yet another variant, the restraining blanket includes a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners secure the blanket about the horseshoe-shaped pillow in a compact bundle. The combination fastening and carrying strap provides a carrying handle for the bundle.

(12) In another variant of the invention, the adjustable combination fastening and carrying strap provides a mounting for baby toys and accessories and secures the baby to the horseshoe-shaped pillow.

(13) In still another variant, the removable cover for the horseshoe-shaped pillow further includes a closable opening. The opening provides for removal of the horseshoe-shaped pillow from the cover.

(14) In a final variant of the invention, the blanket is removed from the cover and provides a privacy shield during nursing.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the baby handling device secured in a compact bundle with attached carrying strap;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken out perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the horseshoe-shaped pillow, washable cover, restraining blanket, combination fastening and carrying strap and storage pocket;

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the horseshoe-shaped pillow illustrating the relative heights of the center and side sections;

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the horseshoe-shaped pillow illustrating the shape of the pillow;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the horseshoe-shaped pillow within the washable cover and the restraining blanket with fastening devices;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the horseshoe-shaped pillow and washable cover of the FIG. 2 embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2 embodiment with a baby in place on the horseshoe-shaped pillow;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2 embodiment with a baby in place on the horseshoe-shaped pillow constrained by the blanket;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the underside of the washable cover and the plurality of fastening devices for use with the sleeping bag configuration of the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the underside of the washable cover for the horseshoe-shaped pillow and the restraining blanket;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the restraining blanket attached in a first position for swaddling a baby;

FIG. 6A is a rear perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the restraining blanket attached in a first position for swaddling a baby;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the restraining blanket attached to the washable cover to provide a sleeping bag configuration for the device;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of the underside of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the variable attachment of the blanket to the removable cover;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the restraining blanket attached to the washable cover to provide a sleeping bag configuration for a larger child;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the restraining blanket detached from the washable cover and wrapped about the baby in a bottle feeding configuration for the device;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the device used as a support for a baby in a sitting position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the device used as a support for a baby in a prone position and illustrating a vibrating element for the horseshoe-shaped pillow;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the device used as a support for a baby in a dorsal position and illustrating a music source and speaker system for the horseshoe-shaped pillow;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the device used as a support for a baby during nursing;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the device with the adjustable combination fastening and carrying strap providing a mounting for baby toys and accessories;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the baby in a prone position on top of the blanket with the adjustable combination fastening and carrying strap holding baby toys and accessories in position for use by the baby;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the device used as a support for a baby within a baby carriage;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of fabric patterns used to make the baby handling device; and

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating the determined position of the baby on the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(1) FIGS. 1-16 illustrate a baby handling device 10 that may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 is provided. The pillow 14 is formed of resilient material 16, has a center section 18 of a first height 22 and adjacent first 26 and second 30 side sections that taper to opposite first 34 and second 38 ends of a second, lower height 42. A removable, washable cover 54 is provided. The cover 54 is sized and shaped to fit over the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 and provides a support platform 46. The platform 46 is formed of flexible material 50 and extends between an upper surface 48 of the center section 18 and at least a portion of upper surfaces 52, 56 of the side sections 26, 30 said support platform becoming concave when supporting a baby. (See FIGS. 3A-3C) A restraining blanket 58 is provided. The blanket 58 is formed of flexible material 62 and is removably and adjustably attached to at least an underside 66 and a top surface 70 of the cover 54 of the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14. The horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 provides support for a baby's head 74 and neck 78. The support platform 46 provides a determined position 60 for the baby's body 82 (See FIGS. 3B and 3C) and the restraining blanket 58 constrains movement of the baby's arms 86.

(2) In a variant of the invention, the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 is formed of impermeable material 90.

(3) In another variant, the removable cover 54 further includes a storage pocket 94.

(4) In still another variant, the restraining blanket 58 is attached to the removable cover 54 with a plurality of fastening devices 98 selected from the group that includes snaps 102, hook and eye combinations (not shown), buttons (not shown), looping and hooking fasteners (not shown) and zippers (not shown).

(5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the fastening devices 98 provide attachment for the restraining blanket 58 at a first position 122. The first position 122 attaches the blanket 58 at approximately shoulder height 126 for a baby on at least the underside 66 of the removable cover 54. The first position 122 constrains the arms 86 of the baby.

(6) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the fastening devices 98 provide attachment for the restraining blanket 58 at a second position 130. The second position 130 attaches the blanket 58 at approximately abdomen height 134 for a baby on at least the underside 66 of the removable cover 54. The second position 130 permits movement of arms 86 of the baby.

(7) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 8A, the fastening devices 98 provide attachment for the restraining blanket 58 at a series of points 134 on the underside 66 of the removable cover 54, permitting use of the device 10 as a sleeping bag 138 for a baby of increasing height.

(8) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 further includes an electrically operated vibrating element 142. The vibrating element 142 causes the device 10 to provide a soothing vibration to the device 10 to induce sleep in a baby.

(9) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 further includes at least one loudspeaker 146 and electrically operated music source 150. The music source 150 provides music to provide a calming environment for a baby.

(10) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a combination fastening and carrying strap 154 is provided. The strap 154 serves to hold the device 10 in a compact bundle 158 and to provide a carrying handle 162. The strap 154 is attached to either the removable cover 54 or the restraining blanket 58 with any of stitching (not shown) snaps 102, hook and eye combinations (not shown), buttons (not shown), looping and hooking fasteners (not shown) and zippers (not shown).

(11) In yet another variant, the restraining blanket 58 includes a plurality of fastening devices 98. The fastening devices 98 secure the blanket 58 about the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 in a compact bundle 158. The combination fastening and carrying strap 154 provides a carrying handle 162 for the bundle 158.

(12) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 13A, the adjustable combination fastening and carrying strap 154 provides a mounting for baby toys 166 and accessories 170 and secures the baby to the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14.

(13) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7A, the removable cover 54 for the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 further includes a closable opening 174. The opening 174 provides for removal of the horseshoe-shaped pillow 14 from the cover 54.

(14) In a final variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the blanket 58 is removed from the cover 54 and provides a privacy shield 178 during nursing.

The baby handling device 10 has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A baby handling device, comprising:

a horseshoe-shaped pillow, said pillow being formed of resilient material, having a center section of a first height, adjacent first and second side sections tapering to opposite first and second ends of a second, lower height;

a removable, washable cover, said cover being sized and shaped to fit over said horseshoe-shaped pillow and providing a support platform, said platform being formed of flexible material and extending between an upper surface of said center section and at least a portion of upper surfaces of said side sections, said support platform becoming concave when supporting a baby;

a restraining blanket, said blanket being formed of flexible material and being removably and adjustably attached to at least an underside of said cover of said horseshoe-shaped pillow; and

said horseshoe-shaped pillow providing support for a baby's head and neck, said support platform providing a determined position for said baby's body and said restraining blanket constraining movement of said baby's arms.

2. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein said horseshoe-shaped pillow is formed of impermeable material.

3. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein said removable cover further includes a storage pocket.

4. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein said restraining blanket is attached to said removable cover with a plurality of fastening devices selected from the group comprising:

snaps, hook and eye combinations, buttons, looping and hooking fasteners and zippers.

5. The baby handling device, as described in claim 4, wherein said fastening devices provide attachment for said restraining blanket at a first position, said first position attaching said blanket at approximately shoulder height for a baby on at least said underside of said removable cover, said first position constraining arms of said baby.

6. The baby handling device, as described in claim 4, wherein said fastening devices provide attachment for said restraining blanket at a second position, said second position attaching said blanket at approximately abdomen height for a baby on at least said underside of said removable cover, said second position permitting movement of arms of said baby.

7. The baby handling device, as described in claim 4, wherein said fastening devices provide attachment for said restraining blanket at a series of points on said underside of said removable cover, permitting use of said device as a sleeping bag for a baby of increasing height.

8. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein said horseshoe-shaped pillow further comprises an electrically operated vibrating element, said element causing said device to provide a soothing vibration to induce sleep in a baby.

9. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein said horseshoe-shaped pillow further comprises at least one loudspeaker and electrically operated music source, said music source providing music to provide a calming environment for a baby.

10. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, further comprising a combination fastening and carrying strap, said strap serving to hold the device in a compact bundle and to provide a carrying handle, said strap being attached to either of said removable cover and said restraining blanket with any of stitching, snaps, hook and eye combinations, buttons, looping and hooking fasteners and zippers.

11. The baby handling device, as described in claim 10, wherein said restraining blanket comprises a plurality of fasteners, said fasteners securing said blanket about said horseshoe-shaped pillow in a compact bundle, said combination fastening and carrying strap providing a carrying handle for said bundle.

12. The baby handling device, as described in claim 10, wherein said adjustable combination fastening and carrying strap provides a mounting for baby toys and accessories and secures said baby to the horseshoe-shaped pillow.

13. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein said removable cover for said horseshoe-shaped pillow further comprises a closable opening, said opening providing for removal of said horseshoe-shaped pillow from said cover.

14. The baby handling device, as described in claim 1, wherein blanket is removed from said cover and provides a privacy shield during nursing.