BABY COUPLER

Abstract

A baby coupler apparatus for securing a child into a high chair is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a central cushion section; a first waist strap coupled to a first end of the central cushion section; a second waist strap coupled to a second end of the central cushion section distal to the first end; a central strap coupled to the central cushion section between the first end of the central cushion section and the second end of the central cushion section; at least one fastening device that couples the first waist strap, the central strap, and the second waist strap; and at least one high-chair fastening device coupled to a back side of the central cushion section and configured to secure the central cushion section to a structure of a high-chair.

Description

BACKGROUND

Infants go through a stage where they exert enough control over their bodies to sit up alone or with minimal assistance. At this age, parents take their children out to restaurants and have them sit in highchairs. Having the strength to sit up with a surface fully behind their back is not the same as the children trying to sit up in restaurant highchairs with nothing but a narrow, low wooden bar behind them. Further, a young child will still be too small for the straps and structure of the highchair to be effective in supporting them. This results in the child falling over or slipping out, potentially harming themselves.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, there is a need in the art for improved means for accommodating infants in highchairs.

SUMMARY

The Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for accommodating infants in highchairs, and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

In one embodiment, a baby coupler apparatus comprises a central cushion section; a first waist strap coupled to a first end of the central cushion section; a second waist strap coupled to a second end of the central cushion section distal to the first end; a central strap coupled to the central cushion section between the first end of the central cushion section and the second end of the central cushion section; at least one fastening device that couples the first waist strap, the central strap, and the second waist strap; and at least one high-chair fastening device coupled to a back side of the central cushion section and configured to secure the central cushion section to a structure of a high-chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1E illustrate a baby coupler device of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates alternate configurations for alternate embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate alternate configurations for alternate embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate configurations for alternate embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for constructing an embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Embodiments of the present invention provide babies with the additional support needed for the child to sit upright in a high-chair, and a way to secure them in the high-chair. As will be explained in greater detail below, fasteners are used with straps which allows parents to adjust the lengths of the straps both around the child's waste and between their legs. This not only allows the straps to be firmly cinched holding the child in place, but also allows the device to be adjusted to accommodate a growing child and be used for a longer period of time. Further, it allows adjustment of the device to accommodate both children wearing modern disposable diapers, or children wearing cloth diapers, which are often significantly more bulky than disposable diapers.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the baby coupler 100 comprises a generally oblong shaped central cushion section 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the central cushion 110 is generally rectangular in shape and has a generally rectangular cross section as shown generally at 152 in FIG. 1B. In other embodiments, having the cross-section of central cushion section 110 formed as another shape such as, but not limited to, an oval shown generally at 154 of FIG. 1C, a circle such as shown generally at 156 in FIG. 1D, or other contoured shape (such as contoured for back or lumbar support), are contemplated.

In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 2A at 210, the central cushion 110 may be another oblong shape such as an oval. In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 2B at 220, central cushion section 110 comprises two or more cushionettes 108 (smaller cushions of any shape) coupled together to form the central cushion section 110.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the central cushion section 110 is made from a flexible foam sheet material 102 and covered in a covering material 104 such as a thick fabric (such as a tightly woven soft burlap for example), leather or vinyl. In one embodiment, the central cushion section 110 may be covered with a disposable material such as paper to aid in cleanup after a meal.

As shown in FIG. 1A, extending from a first end 120 of central cushion 110 and a second end 122 of central cushion 110 distal to the first end 120 are heavy duty waist straps 130 and 132. In one embodiment, waist straps 130 and 132 are sewn onto, or otherwise secured to central cushion 110. In another embodiment, waist straps 130 and 132 comprise exposed ends of a single strap 305 that either extends longitudinally through central cushion 110 from the first end 120 to the second end 122, as shown generally at 310 in FIG. 3A, or longitudinally around central cushion 110 as shown generally at 320 in FIG. 3B.

Also as shown in FIG. 1A, a third heavy duty strap, central strap 134 is coupled to and extends from a central area of central cushion 110 (shown generally at 124). Coupling central strap 134 with waist straps 130 and 132 (illustrated generally by arrows 108 and 109) forms a “T” shaped harness structure. In one embodiment, waist straps 130 and 132 each include fastener members 131 and 133 that snap or otherwise connect with corresponding fastener members 135 and 136 that are secured to central strap 134. In one alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, central strap 134 includes a loop 310 through which one of waist straps 130 and 132 pass through. In such an embodiment, fastener members 131 and 133 would be fastened together to form the T″ shaped harness structure that will secure the child.

Also shown in FIG. 1A are buckles 141, 143 and 145, which are used for adjusting the respective lengths of waist straps 130 and 132 and central strap 134.

In order to secure central cushion 110 to the high-chair in which it will be used, baby coupler 100 includes at least one high-chair fastening device 150 coupled to the back side 123 of central cushion 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1E. As used herein, the term “back side” of central cushion 110 refers to the side 123 of central cushion 110 that interfaces with the structure of a high-chair. As used herein, the term “front side” of central cushion 110 refers to the side 113 of central cushion 110 that interfaces with the child using the device. In one embodiment, fastening device 150 comprises a pair of ties that are wrapped around the structure of the high-chair (such as a back brace or side arms) and tied together. In another embodiment, fastening device 150 comprises straps that are fastened together around the structure of the high-chair. For cases where the high-chair itself includes a belt for securing a child to the high-chair, in one embodiment fastening device 150 forms one or more loops that the high-chair's belt can be thread through and tightened, in order to secure the secure central cushion 110 to the high-chair.

In operation, to use the baby coupler 100 with a child, place the central cushion 110 lengthwise so that the back side 123 is located against the structure of the highchair. Examples of the style of highchair typically found in restaurants include, but are not limited to, the LA Baby Classic High Chair model MT 001, or the Lipper International Inc. model 516 High Chair. Using the at least one high-chair fastening device 150 the central cushion 110 is secured to the structure of the highchair (for example, the back or side armrests of the highchair). A child is placed into the highchair with the central cushion 110 located between the child and the back of the highchair. Thread the central strap 134 up between the child's legs and secure the waist straps 130 and 132 with the central strap 134. In one embodiment, the waist straps 130 and 132 are coupled with the central strap 134 by closing the fastener members 131 and 133 with respective fastener members 135 and 136 to form the “T” shaped harness structure that will secure the child. In another embodiment, one of through waist straps 130 or 132 are passed through loop 310 of central strap 135 and fastener members 131 and 133 are fastened together to form the T″ shaped harness structure that will secure the child.

The process 400 below describes a process of one embodiment of the present invention for producing a baby coupler. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the dimensions provided are for general guidance only, and would be readily able, after reading this specification determine the specific dimensions for their child and/or application. The process 400 begins at 402 with sizing material for a central cushion section. In one embodiment, the material is a soft foam cut to dimensions of approximately 7″ high×20″ wide. In one embodiment, the thickness of the material is approximately 2″. The process proceeds to 404 with wrapping a fabric material around the central cushion section. The fabric material should be large enough to wrap around the cushion, with some extra for hems. In one embodiment, the fabric material is cut to approximately 20″×48″.

The process proceeds to 406 with attaching waist straps and a central strap to the central cushion. In one embodiment, five sections of strap material are used. These lengths of the five sections should be approximately 30″ (section A), 23″ (section B), 23″ (section C), 25″ (section D) and 20″ (section E). One side of a fastening clasp is attached to each end of section A. Cut section D into two pieces, approximately 5″ and 20″ long and attach one side of a fastening clasp onto the shorter piece of strap and the other side of the fastening clasp onto the longer piece. Put that pair of clasps together so that section D is back in one piece. Attach one end of section D to section E, forming a “T” with the two sections such that section D is approximately centered on section E. Attach the corresponding second side of the fastening clasps attached to each end of section A, to each end of section E. When adjustable clasps are used, these sections of the clasps only need to be threaded on, not sewn. Next attach the second end of section D to section A such that section D is approximately centered on section A (See FIG. 5). In one embodiment, the second end of section D is sewn onto section A. In alternate embodiments, the second end of section D is coupled to section A via an adjustable buckle.

The process proceeds to 408 with attaching one or more high-chair fastening devices. In one embodiment, the B and C sections of strap material form the one or more high-chair fastening devices. Attach the center of section B onto, and perpendicular to, Section A. In one embodiment, the center of section B is approximately centered on section A between the first end of section A and where section F connects to section A. Similarly, attach the center of section C onto, and perpendicular, to Section A. In one embodiment, the center of section D is approximately centered on section A between the second end of section A and where section F connects to section A.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A baby coupler apparatus for securing a child into a high chair, the apparatus comprising:

a central cushion section;

a first waist strap coupled to a first end of the central cushion section;

a second waist strap coupled to a second end of the central cushion section distal to the first end;

a central strap coupled to the central cushion section between the first end of the central cushion section and the second end of the central cushion section;

at least one fastening device that couples the first waist strap, the central strap, and the second waist strap;

at least one high-chair fastening device coupled to a back side of the central cushion section and configured to secure the central cushion section to a structure of a high-chair.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central strap includes a loop, wherein a fastener of the first waist strap passes through the loop to couple with a fastener of the second waist strap.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first waist strap and the second waist strap each comprise ends of a single strap that extends through the central cushion section.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first waist strap and the second waist strap each comprise ends of a single strap that extends around the central cushion section.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central cushion section further comprises a flexible foam material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the central cushion section further comprises a covering material over at least part of the flexible foam material.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the covering material comprises at least one of fabric, leather, or vinyl.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a disposable paper covering material over at least part of the central cushion section.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central cushion section is rectangular in shape.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central cushion section is oval in shape.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central cushion section has a rectangular cross-section.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central cushion section has a contoured cross-section.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central cushion section comprises a plurality of cushionettes.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the first waist strap, the second waist strap and the central strap are coupled together, they define a “T” shaped harness structure for securing a child to the front side of the central cushion section.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening device couples the first waist strap to the central strap, and couples the second waist strap to the central strap.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one device for adjusting a length of at least one of the first waist strap, the second waist strap and the central strap.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one device for adjusting a length comprises a buckle.