Infant Stimulation Device for Chair

Abstract

The present invention is an infant stimulation device to be used by a caregiver sitting in a chair and cradling an infant against the caregiver's chest. It is comprised of several strips of fabric with different patterns and textures sewn together at their edges. It has narrowed ends that can fit between the arms or slats of a chair, and the narrowed ends are padded to provide lumbar support for the sitting caregiver. The different patterns and textures of the fabric are designed to stimulate the infant by providing visual and textural contrasts. This encourages the infant to lift and turn his head, and reach out with his hands, stimulating necessary motor development.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infant stimulation device designed comprised of fabric strips of varying patterns and textures intended to stimulate development of infant motor skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant stimulation device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary panel of an infant stimulation device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an infant stimulation device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of infant stimulation device in use with a chair.

GLOSSARY

As used herein, the term “batting” means a layer of insulation between two layers of fabric. Batting is usually made of cotton, polyester, or wool, or some combination of those materials.

As used herein, the term “elongated octagonal shape” means an octagon where at least two sides are significantly longer than the other sides.

As used herein, the term “high-contrast pattern” means a pattern having at least two colors with a high contrast ratio.

As used herein, the term “high contrast ratio” The contrast ratio is the property of a display system defined as the ratio of the luminance of the brightest color (white) to that of the darkest color (black) that the system is capable of producing a high contrast.

As used herein, the term “textured fabric” means fabric with at least one surface which is not uniform and which is adapted for tactile perception by an infant.

BACKGROUND

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) refers to the sudden and unexpected death of an infant while sleeping that is unsuspected by the infant's medical history and remains unexplained after a thorough autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation. SIDS is also referred to as “crib death.” The causes of SIDS are unknown, but one identified risk factor is putting infants to bed on their stomachs. Since 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended placing infants to bed on their backs to avoid SIDS. This recommendation has used catchphrases such as “Back To Bed” and “Back To Sleep.”

Unfortunately, one of the unintended consequences of the “Back To Sleep” recommendation is an identified increase of negative consequences for infant development. The emphasis on putting babies to sleep on their back has caused caregivers to shy away from placing infants on their stomachs at any time (e.g. during playtime).

An infant can only exercise neck muscles when placed on his or her stomach.

Shortly after birth, the spinal column of an infant is c-shaped with two primary curvatures. Upright ambulation requires the spinal column to have a total of four curvatures. The two additional curvatures develop from the strengthening of muscles in the neck and back. The neck muscles include, but are not limited to, the splenius capitus, longissimus capitus, and trapezius muscles. These muscles are activated only when the infant attempts to flex his/her neck against gravity when lying prone. Further activation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle occurs from abduction, adduction and rotation of the neck once the infant has lifted his/her head. These movements repeatedly activate muscle fibers, causing muscle hypertrophy and, thus, adding tension on the spine to develop the additional curvatures.

The reduction on “tummy time” has cut off crucial developmental avenues. When infants spend less time on their stomachs, they are inhibited from reaching key developmental milestones. These milestones include lifting their heads, turning their heads, rolling over, crawling, and pulling to stand.

Delay in reaching these developmental milestones in motor skills can cause more severe problems, including skull deformities, decreased fine motor development, and cognitive delays.

These unintended consequences have lead pediatricians and developmental researchers to seek additional ways to stimulate the necessary development of motor skills. Some advocated a modification of the SIDS catchphrase to “Back To Bed, Tummy to Play.” Others have recommended that caregivers regularly cradle their infants on the caregiver's chest while sitting in a chair, to introduce the infant to the stomach position in a comforting manner. Although this approach is helpful, there is an unmet need in the known art for a device to encourage infants to lift and turn their heads when held in this cradling position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an infant stimulation device for use by a caregiver sitting in a chair and cradling an infant against the caregiver's chest. It is comprised of several strips of fabric with different patterns and textures sewn together at their edges. It has a top and bottom panel composed of fabric strips with different patterns and textures joined together by an edge seam. The device's shape is an elongated octagon designed with narrowed ends that can fit between the arms or slats of a chair. In addition, the narrowed ends are padded to provide lumbar support for the caregiver. The different patterns and textures of the fabric are designed to stimulate the infant and provide visual and textural contrasts. This encourages the infant to turn and lift his head, and reach out with his hands, stimulating necessary motor development.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of an infant stimulation device, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent structures, devices and components may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of infant stimulation device for a chair 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, top panel 10 and bottom panel 20 are each comprised of a number of fabric strips sewn together.

On the inner side of top panel 10 are intermediate batting layer 30a and outer batting layer 40a. Similarly, on the inner side of bottom panel 20 are intermediate batting layer 30b and outer batting layer 40b. Each of these batting layers may be made of cotton, synthetic fibers such as polyester, or wool, or some combination of those materials.

The ends of each top panel 10 and bottom panel 20 are curved so that when the two panels are sewn together they form chambers 50a and 50b, which are filled with stuffing 60a, 60b. This stuffing may be cotton, synthetic fibers such as polyester, wool, or some combination of those materials.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, infant stimulation device 100 has a top center axis of approximately 36-42 inches.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of top panel 10 of infant stimulation device 100. In this exemplary embodiment, top panel 10 has an elongated octagonal shape. Bottom panel 20 (not shown) has a shape mirroring top panel 10. In other embodiments, top panel 10 and bottom panel 20 may have tapered ends or other shapes.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, top panel 10 is comprised of seven fabric strips 70 sewn together along their edges. In other embodiments, there could be as few four, or as many as twenty, fabric strips in top panel 10 and bottom panel 20.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, fabric strip 70a has a high-contrast dot pattern comprised of black circles on a white background. In other embodiments, other fabric strips with a high-contrast dot pattern could have other color combinations, such as red and white objects on a black background. In addition, the colored objects could be of virtually any shape that provides necessary contrast with the background. For example, the objects could be squares, triangles, or irregular shapes, such as spots which form a leopard-skin or other pattern when grouped together

In the exemplary embodiment shown, fabric strip 70b is made of textured fabric that has raised contours in the shape of small dots. In this embodiment, the raised contour dots are black, but in other embodiments, the raised contour dots could be the same color as the main part of fabric strip 70b. In other embodiments, the raised contours could be any shape or design that provides a tactile sensation when touched. In other embodiments, the raised contours may not be necessarily visible to the casual viewer.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, fabric strip 70c has a top layer made of faux fur. In this embodiment, the faux fur layer is long and curled like lamb's wool. In other embodiments, the faux fur layer could have other textures, such as the relatively smooth texture of a short-haired cat.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the remaining four fabric strips 70d, 70e, 70f could be any combination of strips using high-contrast patterns, textured fabric, or faux fur. The remaining four fabric strips 70d, 70e, 70f could also have other patterns comprised of one or more colors. In other exemplary embodiments, the fabric strips comprising top panel 10 and bottom panel 20 could have any combination of colors and patterns.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, fabric strips 70a-f are of consistent dimension. In further exemplary embodiments, fabric strips 70a-f may have inconsistent dimensions, with the size of fabric strips 70a-70f ranging from 2-5 inches in width and 24-40 inches in length.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, top panel 10 is joined to bottom panel 20 (not shown) using seam 80. In this embodiment, seam 80 is a line of single stitching. In other embodiments, seam 80 could be comprised of double stitching.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, side edge 90 is less than 24 inches wide. This will allow that edge of infant stimulation device for a chair 100 to fit between arms or slats of a chair.

While the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 described an exemplary top panel 10, bottom panel 20 (not shown) may be identically constructed. However in some exemplary embodiments, fabric strips 70a-f on bottom panel 20 may be of different materials than those of top panel 10, or bottom panel 20 may be made of a single piece of fabric.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of infant stimulation device 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, top panel 10 has chamber upper seam 95a and lower seam 95b which each combine with seam 80 to form chambers 50a, 50b.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, infant stimulation device 100 has seven infant-grasping components 5 in the form of looped tabs affixed along each side of top panel 10 and bottom panel 20 by seam 80, each of the looped tabs being ⅔-2 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. In other embodiments, there could be any number of infant-grasping components 5, and infant grasping components 5 could have the same or different shapes and dimensions. In other embodiments, infant-grasping components 5 could have different colors or be made of textured fabric.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of infant stimulation device 100 in use with a chair. As illustrated in FIG. 4, infant stimulation device 100 is proportioned and contoured to lay over the back of a chair without excess fabric interfering with the arms of the chair.

In further exemplary embodiments, infant stimulation device 100 may contain any number or configuration of securing components designed to stabilize and secure infant stimulation device 100 to a chair. Securing components may include, but are not limited to, snaps, ties, clasps, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets or any combination of these or other structures or devices known in the art to secure infant stimulation device 100 to a chair.

Claims

1. An infant stimulation apparatus for a chair comprised of:

a plurality of fabric strips sewn together along their edges to form a first panel and a second panel, each of said panels having an upper short edge, a lower short edge and two elongated side edges;

said first panel and said second panel each having an inner surface and an outer surface and each having an intermediate batting layer and an outer batting layer;

said first panel and said second panel each having an upper seam and a lower seam, wherein said upper seam is located seven to eight inches from said upper short edge, and said lower seam being located seven to eight inches from said lower short edge;

said first panel and said second panel being joined together by an outer seam that runs along the entire outer perimeter of said first panel and said second panel and intersect with said upper seam and said lower seam to form an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

said upper chamber and said lower chamber filled with stuffing; and

a plurality of infant-grasping components along at least two edges of said infant stimulation apparatus.

2. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a total of between four and 20 fabric strips, each of said fabric strips having a quasi-unique pattern in the fabric.

3. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said first panel and second panel has an elongated octagonal shape.

4. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said first panel and second panel has at least one edge that is tapered.

5. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of said fabric strips are made of fabric having a quasi-unique pattern.

6. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of said fabric strips are made of quasi-unique textured fabric.

7. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of said plurality of fabric strips have one or more quasi-unique patterns in the fabric.

8. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outer seam is comprised of double-stitching.

9. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the length of the top center axis is between 36 to 42 inches.

10. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said short edges is less than 24 inches wide so that the end of the apparatus fits within the arms of a chair.

11. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said stuffing of said upper and lower chamber has a volume ranging between one-quarter to one-third of a cubic foot.

12. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said stuffing of said upper and lower chamber is comprised of materials selected from a group of materials comprised of synthetic fibers, wool, and cotton.

13. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of infant-grasping components is made of textured fabric.

14. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of infant-grasping components are comprised of loop tabs whose dimensions ranges between two-thirds of an inch and 2 inches long, and between 1 to 2 inches wide.

15. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said plurality of fabric strips are uniform.

16. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said plurality of fabric strips are not uniform, with their width ranging between two and five inches and their length ranging between 24 and 40 inches.

17. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of said plurality of fabric strips have a pattern selected from the group consisting of a black and white pattern, a red and white pattern, a high-contrast dot pattern.

18. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of fabric strips is made of a fabric selected from the group consisting of textured fabric with raised contours, faux fur textured fabric, and carpet textured fabric.

19. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of fabric strips is made of textured fabric and is next to the fabric strip comprising the outermost edge of either said first or second panel.

20. The infant stimulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of fabric strips has a high-contrast dot pattern.