Stimulating and comforting security item for children
A child's body of fabric article wherein at least one triangular shaped attachment is securely sewn into a seam along at least one edge. In other embodiments the body of fabric article may optionally include a pocket or a developmental closing mechanism. The pocket allows a child to safely insert a finger into the attachment and is further directed to the resulting method of sensory stimulation for a child. The optional closing mechanism further serves as a method for developing fine motor skills in children, ages two and up.
This invention is in the general field of entertainment, security, developmental, and comforting items for babies and children. It is well known that a child will often become attached to a personal item such as a toy, blanket or other article. Often this attachment will be a result of visual, oral, tactile or other forms of developmental stimulation. Such an item can provide such benefits in a number of ways, particularly in the absence of a parent or other attractions that may divert the child's attention. Further, an article constructed of a plurality of shapes, textures and materials may also be able to provide numerous forms of stimulation. If the article also includes additional attachments, a child will have further opportunities to be stimulated as well, providing important psychological and physiological additional benefits.
Fleece baby blankets having loops or “tags” for baby entertainment are well known in the art. While these blankets have value and are useful, they cannot provide stimulation and pleasure in the manner disclosed herein.
Children are naturally curious and sensitive to items they touch or otherwise come into contact. Many items have been attached to blankets and the like to satisfy the natural sensory needs of children. One such example is a ribbon loop attachment, into which a child can fully insert a finger. Small children may insert a finger into the loops and then twist the loops in such a manner that entanglement and possible loss of circulation can occur. The present disclosure addresses this and other concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention are directed to an article of manufacture, and methods of making the same, that is made of fabric and incorporates safe and secure triangular attachments made of a second fabric which is pleasing to one's hand, folded over and securely attached (e.g. sewn) into the seam of two pieces of fabric. The attachments may be constructed with an open side creating a pocket. When constructed with such a pocket, the design provides children with visual, oral, tactile and developmental stimulation, while being enclosed to prevent a child from getting fingers caught or twisted inside the attachment. The triangular attachments may be sewn into the seam of a blanket, or any appropriate layered body of fabric in which there is a seam.
According to certain aspects, attachments are made by folding a piece of fabric onto itself, and then folding it over again. This double-folded piece of fabric is then securely sewn into the seam of two bodies of fabric, creating a triangular shaped attachment that has one open side or enclosed “pocket” that is pleasing to the tactile, ocular and oral senses of a child. Also, because a child cannot fully “insert” a finger through such a constructed pocket, possible entanglement of a finger is avoided.
The insertion of a finger into the open pocket allows for intrinsic rubbing of the fabric between the fingers, creating pleasure and tactile stimulation for the child. Further, the attachment creates a variation of textural sensations because it is constructed of a different material from the main body of fabric. The resulting variation of material is both visually and orally stimulating to a child. In one embodiment, the triangular attachment is made of satin. In this embodiment, the attachment is not only interesting to feel and view but it also provides oral satiation for the child, an inherent need of developing babies. There are a plurality of input modes of such sensory integration that may stimulate a child's development and interaction experience. Sensory input integration is herein defined as any such input stimulus wherein a child responds to a first action with a reaction.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing sensory stimulation to a child is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first material body of fabric sheet. The sheet comprises a first panel of said first material substantially parallel to a second panel of said first material. The first and second panels are sewn together to form the body of fabric sheet. In addition, the body of fabric sheet is securely sewn together with one or more triangular attachments constructed of a second material. Further, the triangular attachment is constructed from a single sheet of a second material fabric wherein the triangular attachment is open on one side to provide a way for a child to obtain visual, oral, tactile and development stimulation. The triangular attachment is assembled by folding over a single sheet of a second fabric material in a series of a first fold step and a second fold step to create one open side of the triangular attachment. The difference in fabric material textures, coupled with the one open side construction provides oral, ocular, tactile, and developmental experience and provides a means for a child to enhance and develop fine motor skills.
It is not feasible to list every possible material, configuration, or shape of the here disclosed subject matter or shape of the body of fabric to which the present invention may be directed. Therefore, the term “body of fabric” is used to refer to every article, shape, material, or combination which may be included in the illustrations and descriptions that follow.
Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
Alternatively, a square piece of fabric sheet 110 is folded in half then folded into itself to obtain a second square fabric sheet. The second square fabric sheet is then sewn into the seam on the diagonal and the remaining square is cut off.
One having skill in the art would recognize that a wide variety of fabrics may be used and that different shapes and sizes of elements (e.g. corners, fabric, etc.) may be used.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing sensory stimulation to a child is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first material body of fabric sheet. The sheet comprises a first panel of a first material substantially parallel to a second panel of said first material or a second material. The first and second panels are sewn together to form the body of fabric sheet. In addition, the body of fabric sheet is securely sewn together with one or more triangular attachments constructed of a different, second material. Further, the triangular attachment is constructed from a single sheet of a second material fabric wherein the triangular attachment is open on one side to provide a way for a child to obtain visual, oral, tactile and development stimulation. The triangular attachment is assembled by folding over a single sheet of a second fabric material in a series of a first fold step and a second fold step to create one open side of the triangular attachment. The difference in fabric material textures, coupled with the one open side construction provides oral, ocular, tactile, and developmental experience.
In yet further embodiments of the invention, a method of providing visual sensory stimulation to a child wherein a body of fabric sheet is shaped in a familiar pattern to the child. The method comprises providing visual sensory stimulation to a child wherein a body of fabric sheet is shaped in the image of a popular children shape, said shape selected from the group consisting of a star, sun, and doll; providing one or more substantially triangular attachments securely sewn and coupled thereto; and stimulating a child's sensory input integration.
According to
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A children's fabric article comprising: a body; a plurality of triangular attachment pockets wherein said triangular attachment pockets are arranged in a plurality of patterns and said attachment pockets are open on one side.
2. A children's fabric article of claim 1 wherein the body is made of a first material, and wherein the pockets are made of a second material different from the first material.
3. The children's fabric article of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of bonding means opposite to one open side.
4. The children's fabric article of claim 1, wherein the first material is a cloth material and wherein the second material includes satin.
5. A method of providing sensory stimulation to a child, the method comprising:
- providing a first fabric sheet, said sheet comprising a first panel of a first material substantially parallel to a second panel of said first material, wherein the first and second panels are sewn together to form said fabric sheet;
- providing a triangular attachment wherein said attachment includes a panel made of a second material folded over to form a substantially triangular portion; and
- attaching said triangular portion to the first fabric sheet.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the triangular portion includes an open pocket, and wherein attaching includes sewing the triangular portion to the first fabric sheet such that the open pocket is exposed.
7. A method of providing sensory stimulation to a child, the method comprising:
- providing a second fabric;
- folding the second fabric in half to form a first rectangular shape;
- folding the second fabric a second time thereby creating a second rectangular shape fabric having one side comprised of the fabric edges and attaching the folded second fabric into the seam on the diagonal; and
- trimming away the remaining square to expose a seamless edge to a first fabric sheet such that the fabric edges are attached to the first fabric sheet and the seamless pocket is exposed.
8. A blanket comprising:
- one or more first bodies of fabric double-folded into a triangular shape such that one side of the triangle comprises the edges of the fabric and another side comprises a seamless pocket;
- a second body of fabric attached to the edges of the fabric of the first bodies of fabric,
- wherein the seamless pocket is exposed such that a child may place their fingers in the pocket.
9. The blanket of claim 8 wherein the blanket further comprises:
- One or more fasteners attached to each pocket such that the pocket may be securely closed.
10. The blanket of claim 9 wherein the fasteners are selected from a group consisting of snaps, buttons, laces and zippers.
11. A doll comprising:
- a head having on one side a representation of a face;
- a first body of fabric attached to the head for comprising the body of the doll;
- one or more second bodies of fabric double-folded into a triangular shape such that one side of the triangle comprises the edges of the fabric and another side comprises a seamless pocket,
- wherein the edges of the fabric of the second body of fabric are attached to the first body of fabric.
12. A children's fabric article, comprising: a body; at least one triangular pocket, wherein said at least one triangular pocket is attached to said body and provides a pocket opening.
13. The children's fabric article of claim 12, wherein the body is made of a first material, and wherein the pockets are made of a second material different from the first material.
14. The children's fabric article of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of bonding means opposite to one open side.
15. The children's fabric article of claim 12, wherein the first material is a cloth material and wherein the second material includes silk.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 29, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2008
Applicant: Swanky Swaddles, LLC (Reno, NV)
Inventors: Leslie Smith (Reno, NV), Alison Mandell (Reno, NV)
Application Number: 11/731,799
International Classification: A63H 9/00 (20060101);