Cover for a Person that Attaches with Clips Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A cover to cover a user may include a body member to cover the user, an outwardly extending projection to connect to the body member and a fastening device to secure the body member. The body member may include a top edge and a bottom edge, and the length of the top edge may be less than the length of the bottom edge. The fastening device may fasten to the user, or the fastening device may fasten to a vehicle. The fastening device may include a pair of spring-loaded jaws, or the fastening device may include Velcro. The top edge may be substantially parallel to the bottom edge, and the body member may include a first side edge which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge. The body member may include a second side edge which is inclined with respect to the first side edge or the body member may include a second side edge which is concavely curved. The second side edge may be connected to the top edge, and the first side edge may be connected to a first outward extending projection. The top edge may be connected to a second outward extending projection, and the cover may include an opposing first side edge to the first side edge. The cover may include an opposing second side edge to the second side edge, and the fastening device may fasten to a caregiver

Description

PRIORITY

The present application claims priority under 35 USC section 119 based upon provisional application 60/688,956 which was filed on Feb. 9, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a blanket or cover to cover at least a portion of the chest, arms and legs of a person in the seated, lying down or partly lying down position.

BACKGROUND

The use of a blanket, for example a woolen blanket, to protect a person from the cold or the weather, has been known for a long time. Thus, it is frequent that a person who suffers from the cold, for example an elderly person, or for a person who would like to watch the television or read a book comfortably, while relaxing in a seated, lying down or partly lying down position, for example on a reclining armchair, would protect himself or herself using this type of blanket, to stay warm and cozy.

Unfortunately, this type of blanket is not easy to put into position. Furthermore, it tends to slide away or even slide when the person makes small movements, for example while sleeping.

The fact of being obliged to regularly reposition the blanket is annoying, and it may also be difficult, particularly in the case of a sick or elderly person, or simply someone who is sleepy.

Currently, various designs of blankets or blanket type covers for infants and children exist which are to be used in infant or child seats or strollers. There are additionally blanket-type covers for portable infant seats designed for children up to 20 pounds, which provide removable attachment and cover the entirety of the infant with the exception of the face.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,061 describes a blanket type covering for use with a stroller, a car seat, bicycle seat or the like. It consists of a protective poncho-like cover that encompasses the entirety of the child as well as the stroller itself. This cover makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to adjust the covering for the child's comfort. It is also difficult to attach to the stroller because it must encompass the entire stroller with the child seated. Furthermore, it doesn't allow for the older child who has grown significantly since purchase to continue using the covering.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,090 describes a covering for use with a car seat. It consists of a blanket with apertures cut out for the seat belts. This type of covering completely surrounds the child and folds at the front. Thus, it is either completely covering the child, or leaves the child completely uncovered. Again, the desired versatility of covering various parts of the child is non-existent. This type of blanket is designed for use solely in a car seat, and as designed does not allow for coverage of the child's legs as they extend from the seat.

The designs described above provide for at least partial coverage of the younger infant (less than 20 pounds). These designs do not however, provide for the needs of the older infant or child, who has outgrown the portable infant seat or for easily removable attachment combined with flexibility for the older, more active child. They also do not provide for attachment to older adults who may be confined to wheelchairs.

Traditional blankets or blanket-type covers which do not removably attach to the infant or child seat or stroller are subject to becoming dislodged, with the resultant effect that they become entangled in the wheels of the stroller or fall to the ground or floor of a motor vehicle, becoming wet or soiled. Additionally, blankets of the conventional shape leave considerable amounts of fabric dangling off the lower edges of strollers, tending to drag on the ground and pull the entire blanket with it. Traditional blankets also require tucking in around the shoulders that come loose as the child moves, and leave excess blanket at the child's neck.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a blanket-type covering which can be used to cover and provide warmth for people of various sizes in infant booster or car seats, strollers, wheelchairs, or the like that requires versatile coverage for warmth and comfort.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,756, describes a blanket designed to solve this type of disadvantage. The blanket is formed from a first square piece of blanket in which one of the corners is removed along a 45 degree direction. A second piece of blanket is then sewn on the inner part of the blanket to form a pocket that could hold the feet of a person lying down under this blanket. But firstly, the corner opposite the pocket must be folded to avoid covering the face of this person, and secondly there is nothing to stop this blanket from sliding over the knees or even the feet of a person who is moving.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,870 to Bertrand discloses a blanket to cover the chest, arms and legs of a person in the seated, lying down or partly lying down position, comprising a lower inner pocket to contain the legs of the said person, this lower inner pocket being formed from the lower central part of the blanket.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,676 to Chua discloses a baby blanket for use with front-worn baby carrier. An adjustable baby blanket snuggly covers a baby in a front-worn baby carrier. The baby blanket includes a pouch, a back, a left arm extension, a right arm extension, and a hood. In use, the pouch is slipped up around the baby's legs such that the bottom portion of the baby extends into the pouch. The left arm extension is wrapped around the baby carrier such that the left arm extension passes to the right between the left and right shoulder straps of the baby carrier and the wearer. The right arm extension is wrapped around the baby carrier such that the right arm extension passes to the left between the two shoulder straps of the baby carrier and the wearer. The ends of the left and right arm extensions are then tied together at a location on the opposite side of the baby carrier with respect to the wearer.

SUMMARY

A cover to cover a user may include a body member to cover the user, an outwardly extending projection to connect to the body member and a fastening device to secure the body member.

The body member may include a top edge and a bottom edge, and the length of the top edge may be less than the length of the bottom edge.

The fastening device may fasten to the user, or the fastening device may fasten to a vehicle.

The fastening device may include a pair of spring-loaded jaws, or the fastening device may include Velcro.

The top edge may be substantially parallel to the bottom edge, and the body member may include a first side edge which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge.

The body member may include a second side edge which is inclined with respect to the first side edge or the body member may include a second side edge which is concavely curved.

The second side edge may be connected to the top edge, and the first side edge may be connected to a first outward extending projection.

The top edge may be connected to a second outward extending projection, and the cover may include an opposing first side edge to the first side edge.

The cover may include an opposing second side edge to the second side edge, and the fastening device may fasten to a caregiver

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the cover of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the cover of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the cover of the present invention being used by a user on a seat;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cover of the present invention being used by the user on a vehicle;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the cover of the present invention being used by the user and a caregiver;

FIG. 6 illustrates another perspective view of the cover of the present invention being used by the user and a caregiver;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the cover of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a blanket-type covering which can be used to cover and provide warmth for people of various sizes in infant, child, booster car seats, or the like while seated in a stroller or any other similar seating arrangement that requires versatile coverage for warmth and comfort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a covering which is equipped with a plurality of fasteners, which are separately applied to the cover for removably securing the cover to the seat in multiple variations.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing and retaining blanket-like cover in desired position by employing a cover which may include a top sheet a bottom sheet and insulation. The cover of the present invention secures a blanket-like cover to the fabric of the cover in such as but not limited to a child safety seat, infant swing, stroller, front pack carrier, wheelchair or other seating arrangement.

The Cover for the person may be attached with clips and may utilize permanently attached clips on each of the corners of the cover to securely attach to fabric of seating apparatus, support device, cover user's caregiver's clothing if holding person to be covered or cover user's clothing in desired position. The device generally may include one or several layers of flexible material and may include any type of natural, synthetic or blend fabric or the like and may be shaped like an isosceles trapezoid with blunted lower corners and each of the four corners of the cover being connected to a permanently attached clip or a detachable clip for the purpose of securing and retaining the cover to the fabric of the seat or the clothing of the person or the clothing of the person's caregiver in desired position. The blanket-like cover can be clipped to the fabric of the seating or support device in any orientation to allow for blanket-like cover retention and variable coverage The Cover for Person that Attaches with Clips may be made by forming one or more layers of desired fabric into isosceles trapezoid shape with blunted lower corners and permanently attaching a fabric-safe clip to each of the corners of blanket-like cover with extending portions of fabric of the same type. Cover for Person that Attaches with Clips apparatus is then utilized by method of fastening the clips to the cover user's clothing and/or the fabric of the caregiver's clothing and/or fabric of the cover user's seat e.g. child safety seat, wheelchair, stroller, baby carrier or bouncy seat.

In one embodiment, the cover or body is shaped like an isosceles trapezoid with blunted corners on wider portion and also may also have a permanently attached clip or a detachably attached clip on each corner. The extended lower portion may provide covering around the user's lower extremities and feet while seated in a device or while being carried

The present invention will now be described in detail by reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show the embodiment used in conjunction with particular seating arrangements in various modes of coverage. Other seating arrangements are within the scope of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front view of a cover 6 which includes a body member 20 and fastening device 3. The body member 20 may include a top portion 7 and a bottom portion 8 and may be formed as a flexible sheet.

The body member 20 includes a bottom edge 101 and a top edge 103 which are substantially parallel and includes a first side edge 105 on each side of the body member 20. The first side edge 105 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge 101. The first side edge 105 extends along the side of the body member 20 and connects with the second side edge 107 which may be linearly inclined or concavely shaped which results in the length of the top edge 103 being smaller than the length of the bottom edge 101. In the top portion 7 of the body member 20, there is formed a recessed notch 9 which may be formed symmetrically in the body member 20 with reference to a longitudinal center of the body member 20. The notch 9 may be defined by the second side edge 107 as the second side edge extends by an linearly inclines or concavely extends from the first side edge 105 to the longitudinal center of the body member 20, and the second edge 107 may slope inwardly at an angle of approximately 55 degrees or any other slope. The inward sloping of the second side edge 107 results in a wider dimension (a wing) in the body member 20 in width, resulting from the first side edge 105. This wider dimension is advantageous in circumstances, for example, when the cover 6 is used with the user in conjunction with a chair or caregiver. In order to cover the user and connect the cover 6, a larger dimension is beneficial to cover the shoulders of the user and a smaller dimension is advantageous to cover the legs and feet of the user. Consequently, the shape of the cover 6 is matched to meet the needs of the user.

The body member 20 is connected to a first outward extending projection 8 which may be formed from flexible material or may be formed from expandable material. The outward extending projection 8 extends from the first side edge 105 near the corner of the bottom edge 101 and the first side edge 105. An opposing first outward extending projection 8 extends from the other first side edge 105.

FIGS. 1 and 2 additionally illustrate a second outward extending projection 4 which may be formed from flexible material or formed from expandable material. The second outward extending projection 4 extends from the top edge 103 near the corner of the top edge 103 and the second side edge 107. An opposing second outward extending projection 4 is formed on the opposing side of the top edge 103.

The first outward extending projection 8 and the second outward extending projection 4 is connected to a fastening device 3 so that the fastening device 3 can be connected to clothing of the user or caregiver or a vehicle such as a stroller which may be carrying the user.

Many types of fastening devices 3 can be affixed to the first outward extending projection 8 and the second outward extending projection 4 and can be of any manufacture, including but not limited to snap-type, tie-type hook, and loop type or button type. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fastening devices 3 are one-half, e.g. the loop portion, of a Velcro type hook and loop fastener, or could be a pair of opposing jaws which are spring-loaded to remain closed. Other types of fastening devices 3 include buttons, hooks or other suitable devices. The fastening device 3 could be positioned along the top edge 103, the bottom edge 101, the first side edge 105 and the second side edge 107. When the fastening device 3 is a first half of a mating connection system including two halves (e.g., a hook and loop type system), the other halves of the system, e.g., the other half of the Velcro-type fasteners, form connection points 3′ (FIGS. 3,4) for the fastening device 3 which are connected at corresponding locations on the seating arrangement of choice.

Many materials may be used for construction of the body member 20. A suitable material for the body 20 may be a polyester fleece, cotton flannel, and any other natural, synthetic, blend fabric. Preferably, edges of the fabric are hemmed or finished by any suitable method. Velcro.-type loop and hooks fasteners may be fastened by sewing or gluing or other suitable methods to the first outward extending projection 8 and the second outward extending projection 4. The edges of the fabric used for the body member 20 may be rolled, serged, looped, trimmed with a contrasting satin or stretch fabric, or finished in any other suitable manner, or left unfinished. The body member 20 may include indicia.

Also, as discussed above, it has been found that cost-efficient construction is achieved by making the dimensions of the recessed notch 9 substantially identical to those of the wing. This conserves material and reduces construction time since the notch 9 if cut at the bottom of cover 6 can form the wing for the next cover to be manufactured. This dimensional symmetry also allows for construction of the cover by die cutting a web of material.

It is also possible that the body member 20, can be manufactured using two or more different stretches of fabric, creating a front 801, a back 803 and an insulating layer 805 for the cover 6. For example, the cover 6 can be made of an insulating material on the back 803 while allowing for design choice of a different material on the front 801. Also, an insulating 805 or other material may be disposed between front and back stretches of fabric to form the cover. Many variations of fabrics can be combined for variable applications.

In one mode of use, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover 6 may be attached to the seat to provide a secure yet comfortable coverage of the lower extremities and torso while allowing a person with freedom of movement of the upper extremities and torso. As shown, the cover is positioned over a person, e.g. an infant 14, with the bottom edge 101 of the body member 20 extending over the infant's legs 38. The fastening devices 3 (FIG. 2) are then secured to corresponding connection points 3′ on the seat to prevent the cover from separating from the seat 16 and falling off of the infant. The infant's upper torso can be left uncovered and free to move by allowing the fastening devices 3 to remain unsecured to the connection points 3′ at the top part of the seat 16, and then folding the cover 6 onto itself, creating a lap covering.

FIG. 4 illustrates the user 11 being seated in a vehicle using the cover 6. The bottom edge 101 has been position below the head of the user 11 and the top edge 103 covers the legs of the user 11. This allows the wider dimension of the cover 6 to be used advantageously for connection to the vehicle. The wider dimension of the cover six is not required at the legs of the user 11. The fastening device 3 can be connected to the vehicle to ensure that the cover 6 does not move.

Advantageously, however, as shown in FIG. 5 the present invention also functions to provide maximum coverage of a user using all of the fasteners to secure the covering to the seating device. In this mode of use, the cover 6 is positioned over the infant with the infant's head 11 disposed at least partially within bottom edge 101 and with the top edge 103 disposed over the infant's legs. The fastening device 3 may be connected to the clothing 28 of the caregiver 40.

Thus, the present invention functions to allow a care-giver 40 and to secure the cover 6 to the seating arrangement 16 to prevent the cover 6 from dislodging and also to prevent the cover 6 from falling off the infant 14 or dragging on the ground, becoming wet or soiled. The present invention also provides versatility of attachment, thereby allowing the care-giver 40 to selectively cover only the lower body of an infant or both the lower and upper body. Also, the invention allows the care-giver 40 to maintain attachment of the first outward extending projection 8 and the second outward projection 4 by virtue of the fastening device 3 to the seating arrangement allowing for removal of the infant 14, while re-attachment of the cover 6 may be performed using only a single hand. When the seating arrangement 16 includes wheels on a vehicle, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 6 remains secured to the seating arrangement, thereby preventing entanglement of the cover in the wheels, and eliminating the potential for damage to both the infant 14, the cover 6 and the seating arrangement 15.

The present invention is not limited to use with infants, and may be utilized by larger, older persons, including adults, in conjunction with wheelchairs or other seating arrangements. In order to use with larger people, the dimensions of the cover 6 would require adjustment.

The present invention is thus useful in a method of covering a person in a seating arrangement. The first step in the method may be placing a cover 6 as described above on the user 11 seated in the seating arrangement 16 and aligning the fastening devices 3, which are on the body member 20, to the connection points 3′ which are on the seating arrangement 16. The fastening devices 3, which have been affixed to the cover 6 are then coupled to the connection points 3′, which have been affixed to the seating arrangement 16.

There is thus provided a cover 6 which is particularly useful for covering a child in a car seat, booster seat, stroller, and other seating arrangements

The embodiments which have been described herein, however, are but some of the several which utilize this method and are set forth herein by way of illustration but not of limitation. It is obvious that many other embodiments which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art may be made without materially departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cover to cover a user, comprising:

a body member to cover the user,

an outwardly extending projection to connect to the body member;

a fastening device to secure the body member;

wherein the body member includes a top edge and a bottom edge and wherein the length of the top edge is less than the length of the bottom edge.

2. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the fastening device fastens to the user.

3. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the fastening device fastens to a vehicle.

4. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the fastening device includes a pair of spring-loaded jaws.

5. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the fastening device includes Velcro.

6. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the top edge is substantially parallel to the bottom edge.

7. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the body member includes a first side edge which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge.

8. A cover to cover a user as in claim 7, wherein the body member includes a second side edge which is inclined with respect to the first side edge.

9. A cover to cover a user as in claim 7, wherein the body member includes a second side edge which is concavely curved.

10. A cover to cover a user as in claim 9, wherein the second side edge is connected to the top edge.

11. A cover to cover a user as in claim 8, wherein the first side edge is connected to a first outward extending projection.

12. A cover to cover a user as in claim 8, wherein the top edge is connected to a second outward extending projection.

13. A cover to cover a user as in claim 7, wherein the cover includes an opposing first side edge to the first side edge.

14. A cover to cover a user as in claim 8, wherein the cover includes an opposing second side edge to the second side edge.

15. A cover to cover a user as in claim 1, wherein the fastening device fastens to a caregiver.