Child safety chair cover and method of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable and compact child safety chair cover. The child safety chair cover comprises a chair cover portion having a pocket configured to be positioned over the back of a chair. The child safety chair cover further comprises a harness portion to secure a child within, wherein the chair cover portion and harness portion are formed as one piece. Additionally, the child safety chair cover comprises tie straps attached with the chair cover portion and the harness portion. The tie straps attached to the chair cover portion secure the chair cover portion to the back of the chair, while the tie straps attached with the harness are used to secure the child inside the harness to the chair. The present invention is compact enough to be folded to fit into most diaper bags. Finally, the present invention is comprised of a machine-washable material.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a non-provisional patent application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,700, filed on Jan. 25, 2008, entitled, “Tie Chair.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to child safety chair cover and, more particularly, to a child safety chair cover which is compact and machine-washable.

(2) Description of Related Art

Child safety chairs and harnesses have long been known in the art. The majority of child safety chairs and harnesses are bulky and cumbersome to transport. Furthermore, many of these devices require multiple fastening clips, each of which must be separately fastened and adjusted to get the device to fit both the chair and the child. Finally, the majority of child safety chairs and harnesses comprise plastic elements which are often time consuming to clean.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a child safety chair cover which is easily adjusted, compact enough to fit into a diaper bag, and machine-washable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a safety chair cover. The safety chair cover comprises a chair cover portion having a pocket, the chair cover portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the pocket of the chair cover portion is configured to be positioned over the back of a chair. The safety chair cover further comprises a harness portion, the harness portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the chair cover portion and harness portion are formed as one piece. Additionally, the safety chair cover comprises at least two tie straps attached with the chair cover portion, wherein at least one tie strap is attached with the first end of the chair cover portion and at least one tie strap is attached with the second end of the chair cover portion; and at least two tie straps attached with the harness portion, wherein at least one tie strap is attached with the first end of the harness portion and at least one tie strap is attached with the second end of the harness portion.

In another aspect, the harness portion comprises two leg openings.

In another aspect, the chair cover portion, the harness portion, and the plurality of tie straps are formed from a machine-washable material.

As can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for using the safety chair cover described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a rear-view illustration of a child safety chair cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front-view illustration of a child safety chair cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front-view illustration of a chair covered with a child safety chair cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear-view illustration of a chair covered with a child safety chair cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front-view illustration of a chair covered with a child safety chair cover depicting a child secured to the chair according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear-view illustration of a chair covered with a child safety chair cover depicting a child secured to the chair according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a right, side-view illustration of a chair covered with a child safety chair cover depicting a child secured to the chair present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to safety chair cover and, more particularly, to a safety chair cover which is compact and machine-washable. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses, in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded with the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter-clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. As such, as the present invention is changed, the above labels may change their orientation.

(1) Introduction

There are many places that parents take their children that do not have highchairs readily available. Often, parents are forced to hold their child on their lap while eating. This can be uncomfortable and impractical for both the parent and the child. Parents have to settle for this arrangement due to the inconvenience of transporting bulky booster seats or highchairs.

The present invention presents a solution to the problem described above. The child safety chair cover is a portable chair cover that is capable of fitting over most standard chairs and is utilized to safely restrain a child during a meal. The present invention may be employed by any parent at any location where highchairs are not available. Furthermore, the child safety chair cover is easily compacted to a size small enough to fit into most diaper bags. Finally, the present invention is comprised entirely of a machine-washable material so that the entire child safety chair cover can be conveniently cleaned after use.

(2) Description

The present invention relates to a safety chair cover. In a desired aspect, the safety chair cover is a child safety chair cover. However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the invention described herein may also be used for older children with disabilities or elderly adults with special needs. FIG. 1 depicts a rear-view illustration of a child safety chair cover 100 according to the present invention. The child safety chair cover 100 comprises a chair cover portion 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106. A harness portion 108 having a first end 110 and a second end 112 is formed as part of the chair cover portion 102. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the harness portion 108 is formed such that it is large enough to accommodate and secure children of different sizes, or an adult, as the case may be.

The chair cover portion 102 includes a pocket 114 configured to be slipped over the back of a standard chair, similar to a chair slipcover. The pocket 114 is formed from a second layer of material which is not attached with the harness portion 108. The chair cover portion 102 and the pocket 114 therein are sized to accommodate a variety of standard sized chair backs to allow the child safety chair cover 100 to be used on a variety of chairs.

The child safety chair cover 100 further includes tie straps 116 and 117 which are utilized in securing both the chair cover portion 102 of the child safety chair cover 100 to a chair and the harness portion 108 of the child safety chair cover 100 to a chair when a child is secured within the harness portion 108. As shown in FIG. 1, the tie straps 116 and 117 are attached with the first 104 and second ends 106 of the chair cover portion 102 and with the first 110 and second ends 112 of the harness portion 108, respectively. As a non-limiting example, the child safety chair cover 100 is depicted as having four tie straps 116 and 117, two tie straps 116 attached with the chair cover portion 102 and two tie straps 117 attached with the harness portion 108. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may comprise any suitable number of tie straps 116 and 117 which allow the child safety chair cover 100 to be used for its intended function. The tie straps 116 and 117 allow the child safety chair cover 100 to be adjusted to fit a variety of sizes of chairs and people.

FIG. 2 depicts a front-view illustration of the child safety chair cover 100. As shown, the chair cover portion 102 and harness portion 108 are formed as one piece. In a desired aspect, the harness portion 108 further comprises two leg openings 200 which allow the harness portion 108 to be comfortably and securely affixed to the child. In a desired aspect, the leg openings 200 comprise rounded cut-outs, similar to a half circle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front-view of the chair cover portion 102 of the child safety chair cover 100 positioned over the back of a chair 300 such that the back of the chair 300 is covered. As shown, when the chair cover portion 102 is slipped over the back of a chair 300, the harness portion 108 lays flat against the seat of the chair 300 prior to a child being secured in the child safety chair cover 102. The leg openings 200 provide space to accommodate the legs of a child positioned in the harness portion 108.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear-view of the chair cover portion 102 covering the back of a chair 300. As shown, the tie straps 116 are wrapped around the back of the chair 300 and tied securely to one another. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the tie straps 116 are formed to be any suitable length which allows the chair cover portion 102 to be tightly secured to the back of a standard sized chair.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front-view illustration of a chair 300 covered with a child safety chair cover 100 with a child 500 secured to the chair 300 by the harness portion 108 of the child safety chair cover 100. To secure a child 500 to a chair 300 with the child safety chair cover 100, one first positions the chair cover portion 102 over the back of a chair 300 as described previously. The chair cover portion 102 is secured to the back of the chair 300 by wrapping the tie straps 116 attached with the chair cover portion 102 around the back of the chair 300 and tying the tie straps 116 to one another, such that the chair cover portion 102 is tightly secured to the back of the chair 300, as depicted in FIG. 4.

Thereafter, a child 500 is positioned in the seat of the chair 300 on top of the harness portion 108 so that the legs of the child are positioned over the leg openings 200 of the harness portion 108. The harness portion 108 is then folded up and toward the midsection of the child 500, such that the harness portion 108 is positioned at chest level of the child, as shown in FIG. 5. It is essential that the harness portion 108 be positioned at chest level to safely secure the child 500 in an upright stable sitting position to prevent the child 500 from slumping forward. The child 500 is then secured to the chair 300 by wrapping the tie straps 117 attached with the harness portion 108 around the back of the chair 300, then back around the child 500, and tying the tie straps 117 to one another. Thus, the harness portion 108 is tightly secured to the back of the chair 300 and the child 500 to maintain the position of the child 500 in the chair 300. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the tie straps 117 are formed to be any suitable length which allows the harness portion 108 to be tightly secured around the back of a standard sized chair 300 and around a child 500.

For additional safety for older children, the tie straps 117 may be wrapped back around the back of the chair 300 after being wrapped around the child 500 and secured at the back of the chair 300. This configuration is preferred if the child is old enough to undo the tie straps 117 that would be secured in front of the child. By wrapping the tie straps 117 once more around the back of the chair 300, the child 500 is safely secured to the chair 300 and unable to reach the tie straps 117. In a desired aspect, the tie straps 117 attached with the harness portion 108 are longer than the tie straps 116 attached with the chair cover portion 102.

FIG. 6 is a rear-view illustration of a chair 300 covered with a child safety chair cover 100 depicting a child (not shown) secured to the chair 300. As a non-limiting example, the tie straps 116 attached with the chair cover portion 102 are tied in a bow at the back of the chair 300. However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the tie straps 116 can be secured in any suitable type of stable knot. Additionally, the tie straps 117 attached with the harness portion (not shown) are shown as being wrapped around the back of the chair 300. However, if the older child configuration were to be used, the tie straps 117 attached with the harness portion would be tied at the back of the chair 300 similar to the tie straps 116 attached with the chair cover portion.

FIG. 7 is a right, side-view illustration of a chair 300 covered with a child safety chair cover 100 depicting a child 500 secured to the chair 300. As shown, the chair cover portion 102 is positioned over the back of the chair 300 and tightly secured using the tie straps 116. The child 500 is positioned in the harness portion 108 and the tie straps 117 are wrapped securely around the chair 300 and back around the front of the child 500 to secure the child 500 to the chair 300. In a desired aspect, the entire child safety chair cover 100 including the chair cover portion 102, the harness portion 108, and the tie straps 116 and 117 are made of a machine-washable material so that the child safety chair cover 100 can be conveniently cleaned. Non-limiting examples of machine-washable materials include cotton, cotton polyester blends, polyester, acrylic, polyester acrylic blends, wool, wool polyester blends, cotton wool blends, cotton wool polyester blends, plastic, vinyl, canvas, duck, twill, denim, suede cloth, ultra suede, flannel, and corduroy.

Claims

1. A safety chair cover, comprising:

a chair cover portion having a pocket, the chair cover portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the pocket of the chair cover portion is configured to be positioned over the back of a chair;

a harness portion, the harness portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the chair cover portion and harness portion are formed as one piece;

at least two tie straps attached with the chair cover portion, wherein at least one tie strap is attached with the first end of the chair cover portion and at least one tie strap is attached with the second end of the chair cover portion; and

at least two tie straps attached with the harness portion, wherein at least one tie strap is attached with the first end of the harness portion and at least one tie strap is attached with the second end of the harness portion.

2. A safety chair cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the harness portion comprises two leg openings.

3. A safety chair cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein the chair cover portion, the harness portion, and the plurality of tie straps are formed from a machine-washable material.

4. A method for using a safety chair cover with a chair having a back and a seat, comprising acts of:

positioning a chair cover portion having a pocket over the back of a chair, the chair cover portion having a first end and a second end, the chair cover portion further comprising at least two tie straps attached with the chair cover portion, wherein at least one tie strap is attached with the first end of the chair cover portion and at least one tie strap is attached with the second end of the chair cover portion, wherein a harness portion having a first end and a second end and formed as part of the chair cover portion lies flat on a seat of the chair, wherein the harness portion comprises at least two tie straps attached with the harness portion, wherein at least one tie strap is attached with the first end of the harness portion and at least one tie strap is attached with the second end of the harness portion; and wherein the harness portion further comprises two leg openings;

securing the chair cover portion to the back of the chair by wrapping the at least two tie straps attached with the chair cover portion around the back of the chair and tying the at least two tie straps to one another, such that the chair cover portion is tightly secured to the back of the chair;

positioning a user in the seat of the chair on top of the harness portion, wherein the user is positioned such that the legs of the user are positioned over the leg openings of the harness portion;

folding the harness portion over a midsection of the user, such that the harness portion is positioned at a chest level of the user;

securing the user to the chair by wrapping the at least two tie straps attached with the harness portion around the back of the chair and tying the at least two tie straps to one another, such that the harness portion is tightly secured to the back of the chair to maintain the position of the user in the chair.

5. A method for using a safety chair cover with a chair having a back and a seat as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least two tie straps attached with the harness portion are tied to one another in front of the user.

6. A method for using a safety chair cover with a chair having a back and a seat as set forth in claim 4, wherein at least two tie straps attached with the harness portion are tied to one another at the back of the chair.