GARMENT FOR INFANTS

Abstract

A garment (100) for aiding infants learning to crawl has a number of non-slip members (116) on an outer surface of the garment (100) which aid grip on relatively smooth floor surfaces. These non-slip members (116) come into contact with the floor as the infant crawls on the floor to provide an improved and secure grip which facilitates crawling.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Irish patent application No. S2013/0345 filed Nov. 11, 2013 and International patent application serial number PCT/EP2014/074282 entitled “A Garment for Infants,” filed Nov. 11, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a garment for infants. In particular, the present invention is directed towards a garment which is to be worn by an infant as they learn to crawl and/or propel themselves by crawling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, and for the purposes of the present invention, the term “infant” shall be understood to refer to a baby between 3 months and 24 months of age. In particular, the present invention is directed towards infants who are learning to crawl and/or crawling.

Furthermore, throughout this specification, the term “garment” shall be understood to encompass any type of clothing garment which may be worn by an infant and which comprises at least one portion which is used to cover a leg, foot or arm of the infant when worn by the infant.

Crawling is an important part of an infant's development. From a neurological perspective, crawling aids brain connections to be developed as the two sides of the brain are forced to communicate with each other through neurological signalling over the midline of the infant's brain. Crawling also develops the infant's physical body by exercising the infant's neck, shoulder and back muscles, along with their leg muscles. Early development of the neck and back muscles help posture and will assist children in later years at school where they will be require to sit upright at their desk and at mealtimes where they should have a good posture whilst seated to help with the digestion of their food.

The eye function is stimulated during crawling which can accelerate an infant's learning skills. Furthermore, the proprioceptive system, the vestibular system and the balance system are all developed as the infant begins to crawl. As an infant learns to crawl, it is the first time that the proprioceptive system, the vestibular system and the balance system will communicate with one another as communication pathways between these systems are developed during the infant's growth.

In many modern day dwellings, wooden flooring has replaced carpeted floors for aesthetic reasons and/or ease of cleaning. These wooden floors are usually highly polished and as a result are quite low friction surfaces. Other flooring such as tiles and laminate flooring are increasingly used and are also low friction surfaces. Indeed, any polished surfaces such as marble surfaces and the like also contribute to the below mentioned problem for infants learning to crawl. These modern floor coverings, such as hardwood, laminate, tiles and the like, while being better for the respiratory system because they do not hold any dust, actually offer no traction or resistance for infants at the pre-crawling stage (tummy time stage), or at the crawling stage.

These low friction surfaces are difficult for an infant to grip against. Particularly as infants of a crawling age will normally wear babygrows or small trousers, which are made of soft materials such as cotton. There is a very low coefficient of friction between the fabric material of the clothing and the floor surface. These prior art infant garments do not provide any traction against the low friction surfaces and the infant will struggle to crawl effectively on these types of surfaces. As a result the infant will become frustrated with their attempts to crawl and this frustration may result in stunted progress in learning to crawl which will have an effect on the infant's development. Further, there is an increased risk of injury because the infant may slip and fall on the smooth surface while wearing the fabric clothing and also there is an increased risk of the infant becoming a non-crawler. This in turn provides an increased risk in the child developing Neurological Delay which can lead to behavioural problems and learning challenges being identified in children of school-going age. This can and will have a huge impact on the rest of the child's development.

Neurological Development is sequential and it is vital that infants are provided with the right environment to support this. The impact of missing a stage in early development is hugely significant. Not only does crawling benefit neurological development, but it also allows for social and emotional development of the infant. Crawling is the first mode of independent locomotion of the developing infant. This indicates that higher centres in the brain are becoming active and taking control i.e. the brain is maturing. Crawling also signifies the ability of the infant to be autonomous in moving from supine to dorsal positions for locomotion.

The importance that crawling plays in early childhood development is well documented and researched. The impact that non-crawling can have in early childhood development is also well documented. See, for example, Millennium Cohort Study (UK) 2010; INPP (Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology) Chester (UK) 2014; Campos et al (2000) Travel Broadens the Mind, Infancy, 1(2), pp 149-219.

The problem of walking on low friction modern floor surfaces is well recognised. It has been proposed in the prior art to provide socks fitted with material that provides greater traction on the bottom or sole area of the sock. However, these do not really provide any assistance for crawling infants.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment for infants which overcomes at least some of the above mentioned problems.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a garment for infants which will assist them in crawling on relatively smooth floor surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a garment for infants learning to crawl or for infants who wish to carry out the act of crawling, the garment including a garment part which is used to cover at least portion of a leg, a foot or an arm of the infant when worn by the infant, characterised in that at least one non-slip member is provided on an outer surface of said garment part at a location which in use will come into contact with a floor on which the infant crawls whilst wearing the garment.

The advantage of providing the non-slip members on the garment is that as the infant crawls, or is learning to crawl, the non-slip members allow for increased traction between the garment and any low friction floors. The infant will thus find it much easier to crawl on low friction floors and surfaces when wearing the garment of the present invention. This ability to crawl will ensure development of the infant progresses as described hereinbefore.

In another embodiment, the garment part comprises a sleeve of the garment and the non-slip member is mounted at an outer free end of the sleeve.

In another embodiment, a thumb receiving loop is provided at the outer free end of the sleeve.

In another embodiment, the non-slip member is mounted on a cuff portion at the outer free end of the sleeve.

In another embodiment, the cuff portion is elasticated.

In another embodiment, the non-slip member is mounted on a rear face and/or side face of the sleeve.

In another embodiment, the garment part comprises a foot receiving part of the garment and said at least one non-slip member is mounted on an instep portion at a front of the foot receiving part of the garment.

In another embodiment, a non-slip member is mounted at a toe portion of the foot receiving part.

In another embodiment, the garment part comprises a leg receiving part of the garment and said at least one non-slip member is mounted on a front face of the leg receiving part of the garment.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of the non-slip members are located between a toe end of each leg receiving part and a crotch portion of the garment.

In a further embodiment, the non-slip members are located between the toe end of each leg receiving part and a knee portion of the garment.

In a further embodiment, one or more non-slip members are located on a sole of the garment.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of the non-slip members are arranged in sets on the garment.

In a further embodiment, a number of the non-slip members are provided comprising a single non-slip member patch on two or more garment parts.

In another embodiment, the garment comprises at least a pair of pant leg portions whereby the pant leg portions comprise a front face, side faces and a rear face, such that at least one or more of the front face and/or side faces of one or more of the pair of pant leg portions comprise non-slip members fixedly attached thereto.

In a further embodiment, the non-slip members are made of a silicone material.

In a further embodiment, the non-slip members are made of a rubber material.

In a further embodiment, the non-slip member comprises a protrusion which projects outwardly from a surface of the garment.

In a further embodiment, the non-slip member comprises a substantially flat patch which projects outwardly from a surface of the garment.

In a further embodiment, the entire pant leg part of the garment is comprised of a non-slip member.

In a further embodiment, the garment is made of 100% cotton.

In a further embodiment, the garment is a babygrow.

In a further embodiment, the garment is a pair of trousers.

In a further embodiment, the garment is a pair of tights.

In a further embodiment, the garment is a pair of leggings.

In a further embodiment, the garment is a sock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment for infants in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of another garment for infants according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another garment for infants according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing a sleeve portion of the garment of FIG. 4 in use as worn by an infant;

FIG. 6 is a front view of another garment for infants according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a further garment for infants according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the garment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another garment according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the garment shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, there is provided a garment suitable for infants according to the invention indicated generally by reference numeral 100. The garment 100 comprises a body portion 102 having arm portions 104A, 104B and pant leg portions 106A, 106B. A neck opening 108 is provided at a top end of the garment 100 and a front opening 110, secured closed by fasteners 112, is provided along a front face of the body portion 102. All of these features would be found on a conventional garment for infants.

As mentioned before, the garments for infants known from the prior art do not provide sufficient traction against low friction surfaces such as wooden floors, tiled floors and/or laminated floors. In order to increase the traction to aid the infant in learning to crawl or perform the act of crawling, in accordance with the invention the garment 100 comprises a plurality of non-slip members 116 arranged on a front face and side faces of the pant leg portion 106A, 106B garment parts. Toe ends 114A, 114B are shown at a lowermost part of the pant leg portions 106A, 106B respectively. The non-slip members 116 are arranged between the toe ends 114A, 114B and an upper part of the pant leg portions 106A, 106B, where the pant leg portions 106A, 106B meet to form the crotch portion 118 of the garment 100. In a preferred embodiment, the non-slip members 116 are arranged between the toe ends 114A, 114B and an upper threshold which is located just above the knee area of the pant leg portions 106A, 106B on the garment 100.

It will be noted that non-slip members 116 are mounted at an instep portion 119 at a front of each foot receiving part 120 of the garment 100.

A plurality of spaced-apart non-slip members 116 are arranged in sets on the foot receiving parts 120 and pant leg portions 106A, 106B.

The provision of the of non-slip members 116 on the front and side faces of the pant leg portions 106A, 106B of the garment 100 make it much easier for the infant to gain traction on low friction surfaces. This accelerates the infant's development as the ability to crawl on the low friction surfaces is aided by the garment 100. The non-slip members 116 may be formed in a pleasing aesthetic shape, such as a bug, a heart, a footprint, or the like.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a rear side of the garment 100 is shown. Soles 202A, 202B of the garment 100 comprise non-slip members 204. As before, these non-slip members 204 assist the infant with crawling, and will also assist the infant with learning to stand up and learning to walk.

The garment 100 is envisaged to be made of 100% cotton, although it will be readily understood that other materials may be used, of either natural or artificial fibres or mixtures of both. One possibility is bamboo material which has desirable properties—60% more absorbent than cotton, thermo-regulating, hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, eco-friendly, etc. Amazing for babies skin especially for, but not solely for, babies with skin irritations such as eczema, psoriasis, etc.

The non-slip members 116, 204 are envisaged to be made of a silicone, or a rubber, or other such material which would improve traction between a low friction surface as hereinbefore described and the garment 100.

The garment 100 of the present invention has been shown as a babygrow, which is alternatively known as a sleep suit or colloquially known as a ‘onesie’. However, it will be understood that the principles of the non-slip member 116, 204 on the outer surface of the garment 100 and in areas between the toes and knees of the infant wearing the garment 100, may be equally applied to other types of garments for infants. For example, socks with one or more non-slip members on the soles and/or the sides and/or upper face of the socks could be used by an infant to gain traction between the socks and a low friction surface. Alternatively, light canvas pre-walkers with non-slip members on the shin area and the soles of the pre-walker garment could be manufactured. It is also envisaged that tights with non-slip members on the shin area and the soles of the tights could be made for use by infants. Finally, tracksuit style leggings which comprise non-slip members on the shin area and the soles of the tracksuit style leggings garment are also considered for use in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another garment suitable for infants according to a second embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 300. This is largely similar to the garment described previously and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, the arm portion 104A, 104B garment parts form sleeves of the body portion 102 which have non-slip members 116 mounted on a cuff portion 301, 302 at an outer free end of each arm portion 104A, 104B along a rear or inside face of the cuff portion 301, 302. Also, it will be noted that a thumb receiving loop 303, 304 is provided on the cuff portion 301, 302 at the outer free end of each arm portion 104A, 104B. The cuff may be elasticated for a snug fit in use.

In use, the infant wears the garment 300 in the usual way. When putting on the garment 300, the infant's thumbs are slipped through the thumb receiving loops 303, 304. This positions the non-slip members 116 across an inner portion of the infant's palm, as shown in FIG. 5, to provide improved grip for the hands while crawling.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 there is shown another garment suitable for infants according to a third embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 400. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the garment 400 comprises a sweatshirt type garment with a body portion 102 and arm portions 104A, 104B forming sleeves. FIG. 5 shows the garment 400 in use worn by an infant whose thumb 401 is inserted through the thumb receiving loop 303 at an outer free end of the arm portion 104A, thus positioning the non-slip members 116 adjacent an outer free end of the arm portion 104A across an inner portion of a palm 402 of the infant's hand, that is at the point where the infant makes contact with the floor when crawling. The thumb receiving loop 303 prevents the arm portion 104A riding up the infant's arm in use and maintains the non-slip members 116 in the desired position.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown another garment suitable for infants according to a fourth embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 500. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, the garment comprises a pair of pants with pant leg portions 106A, 106B forming garment parts having a number of non-slip members 116 arranged on front faces of the pant leg portions 106A, 106B.

Referring now FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown another garment suitable for infants according to a fifth embodiment of the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 600. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the garment 600 comprises a pair of tights with non-slip members 116 on front faces of leg portions 601, 602 and instep portions 603, 604 at foot receiving parts 605,606 at a lower end of each leg portion 601, 602. FIG. 8 shows non-slip members 204 on the soles 202A, 202B of the garment 600.

Referring now to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, there is shown another garment suitable for infants according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, the garment 700 is a sock with non-slip members 116 on an instep portion 701 of a foot receiving part 702 of the garment 700. As shown in FIG. 10 a non-slip member 204 is also mounted on a sole portion 703 of the foot receiving part 702 of the garment 700.

The terms “comprise” and “include”, and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation.

It will be understood that the components shown in any of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and, like parts shown in several drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A garment for infants learning to crawl or for infants who wish to carry out the act of crawling, the garment including a garment part which is used to cover at least portion of a leg, a foot or an arm of the infant when worn by the infant, characterised in that at least one non-slip member is provided on an outer surface of said garment part at a location which in use will come into contact with a floor on which the infant crawls whilst wearing the garment.

2. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the garment part comprises a sleeve of the garment and wherein the non-slip member is mounted at an outer free end of the sleeve.

3. The garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein a thumb receiving loop is provided at the outer free end of the sleeve.

4. The garment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the non-slip member is mounted on a cuff portion at the outer free end of the sleeve.

5. The garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cuff portion is elasticated.

6. The garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein the non-slip member is mounted on a rear face and/or side face of the sleeve.

7. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the garment part comprises a foot receiving part of the garment and said at least one non-slip member is mounted in an instep portion at a front of the foot receiving part of the garment.

8. The garment as claimed in claim 7 wherein a non-slip member is mounted at a toe portion of the foot receiving part.

9. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the garment part comprises a leg receiving part of the garment and said at least one non-slip member is mounted on a front face of the leg receiving part of the garment.

10. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of the non-slip members are located between a toe end of each leg receiving part, and a crotch portion of the garment.

11. The garment as claimed in claim 10 wherein the non-slip members are located between the toe end of each leg receiving part and a knee portion of the garment.

12. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more of the non-slip members are located on a sole of the garment.

13. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of the non-slip members are arranged in sets on the garment.

14. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein a number of the non-slip members are provided comprising a single non-slip member patch at two or more garment parts.

15. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-slip member is made of a silicone material.

16. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-slip member is made of a rubber material.

17. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-slip member comprises a protrusion which projects outwardly from a surface of the garment.

18. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-slip member comprises a substantially flat patch which projects outwardly from a surface of the garment.

19. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein an entire pant leg part of the garment portion is comprised of a non-slip member.

20. The garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the garment is made of 100% cotton.

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