Safety Harness For Babies

Abstract

A restraint for securing a baby on a top surface of a mattress is disclosed. The restrain includes a rectangular sheet of flexible webbing which can be secured to the mattress by a plurality of elongated loops mounted to the corners of the rectangular sheet. The elongated loops are dimensioned to wrap snuggly around the mattress such that the rectangular sheet is held taught on the surface of the mattress when the loops are wrapped around the mattress. A belt made of flexible webbing is provided to wrap around the baby and snugly secure the baby. Finally, the restraint further includes an elongated tether made of elastic webbing secured to a center portion of the rectangular sheet and to the belt, the elongated tether having a length selected to keep the belt on top of the rectangular sheet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to safety harnesses for securing a baby safely on the mattress of a bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Small babies are often placed on beds, change tables or other surfaces in order to facilitate diaper changes and the like. Given the tendency of babies to move about, there is a real possibility that the baby may accidentally roll over and off the bed or table resulting in injury to the baby. The problem is generally tackled by the parent holding the baby down with one hand while changing the baby. This requires the parent to be in constant attendance with the baby. Devices for preventing the child from rolling off the bed or table top generally consist of a cage, barrier or other obstacle designed to contain the baby in an enclosed space. The problem with these types of enclosures is that they are difficult to install and often make it difficult to use the bed or table top for anything else. An improved restraining device which is easy to install and which is not obtrusive would be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a restraint for securing a baby on a top surface of a mattress having a width and a length. The restrain includes a rectangular sheet of flexible webbing, the rectangular sheet having a length and width smaller than the length and width of the mattress, the rectangular sheet having four corners. The restraint also includes a plurality of elongated loops made of elastic webbing mounted to the corners of the rectangular sheet. The elongated loops are dimensioned to wrap snuggly around the mattress such that the rectangular sheet is held taught on the surface of the mattress when the loops are wrapped around the mattress. A belt made of flexible webbing having a length and opposite ends is also included. The belt has complimentary coupling elements formed along the length of the belt, the length of the belt being selected to permit the belt to wrap around the baby and snugly secure the baby with in the belt by engaging the coupling elements. Finally, the restraint further includes an elongated tether made of elastic webbing having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the elongated tether being secured to a center portion of the rectangular sheet, the second end of the elongated tether being secured to the belt, the elongated tether having a length selected to keep the belt on top of the rectangular sheet.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a restraint for securing a baby on a top surface of a flat support member having a width and a length, the restrain comprising. The flat support member can be any flat surface intended to support a baby such as a change table, mattress or bed. The restraint includes a rectangular sheet of flexible webbing having a length and width smaller than the length and width of the flat support member, the rectangular sheet having four corners. A plurality of elongated loops made of elastic webbing are mounted to the corners of the rectangular sheet, the elongated loops dimensioned to wrap snuggly around the flat support member such that the rectangular sheet is held taught on the surface of the flat support member when the loops are wrapped around the flat support member. The restraint is also provided with a belt made of a flexible webbing having a length and opposite ends, the belt having complimentary coupling elements formed along the length of the belt, the length of the belt being selected to permit the belt to wrap around the baby and snugly secure the baby with in the belt by engaging the coupling elements. Finally, the restrain includes an elongated tether made of elastic webbing having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the elongated tether being secured to a center portion of the rectangular sheet, the second end of the elongated tether being secured to the belt, the elongated tether having a length selected to keep the belt on top of the rectangular sheet.

With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a restraint made in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different FIGURES.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention, shown generally as item 10, consists of a rectangular sheet 12 preferably made of a soft yet durable cloth such as cotton. Rectangular sheet 12 is dimensioned to fit on top of support surface 14. Support surface 14 could be any elevated flat surface intended to support baby 11 although the present invention has particular application for use with beds and bed mattresses. In the present illustration, support surface 14 takes the form of a mattress. Mattress 14 has a length 18, a width 20 and a thickness 22. Rectangular sheet 12 has a length 24 and a width 26. Length 24 and width 26 of rectangular sheet 12 are significantly smaller than length 18 and width 20 of mattress 14 such that the sheet can fit flat and unruffled on the surface of mattress 14 when the rectangular sheet is stretched out. Sheet 12 has opposite ends 31 and 33 and opposite sides 35 and 37, and corners 28, 30, 32 and 34. Elongated strap 38 extends between and is attached to corners 32 and 34. Likewise, elongated strap 36 extends between and is attached to corners 28 and 30. Elongated straps (bands) 36 and 38 are preferably made of a loop of elasticized fabric material and are dimensioned such that they fit snugly around the width of mattress 14 such that opposite sides 35 and 37 of sheet 12 are held taught. Elongated straps 36 and 38 may also be provided with quick connect couplings as illustrated to permit the quick attachment and detachment of the straps to the mattress. Also, elongated straps 36 and 38 may be made to have an adjustable length to permit the use of the invention on different sized mattresses/beds. The quick connect couplings may also provide for the adjustment of the length of the elongated straps so that the same restraining device can be used with mattresses and tables of different dimensions. Elongated strap (band) 40 connects corners 34 and 30 and elongated strap (band) 42 connects corners 28 and 32 of sheet 12. Elongated straps 40 and 42 are preferably made of an elasticized fabric material and are dimensioned such that the straps fit snuggly around the length of mattress 14 in order to keep ends 31 and 33 taught against the mattress. Preferably the lengths of each of the straps is dimensioned such that when the straps are stretched over the mattress, rectangular sheet 12 is fully stretched out and held taught onto the surface of mattress 12. The straps not only act to keep the sheet fully taught, but also act to keep the sheet immobilized, preventing the sheet from moving on the mattress. This is an important feature as it permits the restraining device to remain on the mattress even when the device is not being used to restrain a baby.

A belt restraint 16 is secured to sheet 12 towards the centre of the sheet. Belt restraint 16 consists of a belt 44 having opposite ends with coupling elements 46 and 50. Belt 44 is secured to sheet 12 by elastic tether 48 which has opposite ends. One end of tether 48 is secured to belt 44 while the opposite end of tether 48 is secured to a centre of sheet 12. Tether 48 may be secured to sheet 12 by means known generally in the art, such as sewing, glue, snaps and the like. Coupling elements 46 and 50 can be any suitable complementary coupling elements such as Velcro™, buttons, hooks, snaps or even a quick connect buckle. The length of belt 44 can be made adjustable. Preferably, belt 44 is dimensioned so that it can fit snuggly around the torso of baby 11 and the belt secured by coupling elements 46 and 50. Tether 48 is preferably made of a resilient elastic chord which is sufficiently flexible to permit the baby to move freely allowing the baby to play and interact with the parent or guardian.

When baby 11 is secured in restraining belt 44, tether 48 keeps the baby from moving off of sheet 12. By securing the baby onto the mattress surface, the tether ensures that the parent/guardian feels secure that the baby will not fall off the mattress. Sheet 12 ensures that the surface the baby is resting on is clean, dry and safe. Straps 36, 38, 40 and 42 ensure that sheet 12 does not bunch up or wrap around the baby, and further ensures that the sheet does not move, thereby ensuring that the baby cannot move off the surface of mattress 14. When the device is not being used, sheet 12 can remain in place. Tether 48 may optionally have a releasable coupling for coupling to sheet 12 so that even baby restraint 16 can be removed when it is not to be used. It is important to note that safety harness 10 is not intended to replace a baby crib but rather to provide parents and guardians with peace of mind by ensuring that the baby can sleep securely on a bed/mattress without the risk of the baby falling off the bed all the while allowing the baby freedom to move comfortably. In cases where a parent or guardian desires to have their baby sleep on a bed/mattress, the safety harness eliminates the need to secure the baby in place by the use of pillows or the like. The combination of harness and tether makes it possible for the baby to move freely while sleeping/resting while making it impossible for the baby to move to the edge of the mattress, thereby ensuring in the parents/guardians mind that the baby cannot fall off the bed.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims

Claims

1. A restraint for securing a baby on a top surface of a mattress having a width and a length, the restrain comprising:

a. A rectangular sheet of flexible webbing having opposite first and second sides and opposite first and second ends, the rectangular sheet having first and second corners on opposite sides of the first end and third and forth corners on opposite sides of the second end, the rectangular sheet dimensioned to have a shorter width and length than the mattress;

b. a first elongated loop made of elastic webbing coupling the first and third corners, and a second elongated loop made of elastic webbing coupling the second and fourth corners, the first and second elongated loop each being dimensioned to snuggly wrap around the mattress;

c. a third elongated loop made of elastic webbing coupling the first and second corners, and a forth elongated loop made of elastic webbing coupling the third and fourth corners, the third and fourth elongated loop each being dimensioned to snuggly wrap around the mattress, each of the third and fourth elongated loops having quick connect couplings for coupling to the second and fourth corners, respectively;

d. an elongated band made of a flexible webbing, the elongated band having a length and opposite first and second ends, first and second complementary coupling elements being formed on the first and second ends of the elongated band, respectively, the length of the elongated band being selected to permit the band to wrap around the baby and secure the baby with the band by coupling together the first and second coupling elements;

e. an elongated tether made of elastic webbing having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the elongated tether being secured to a center portion of the rectangular sheet, the second end of the elongated tether being secured to the elongated band, the elongated tether having a length selected to keep the elongated band on top of the rectangular sheet.

2. A restraint for securing a baby on a top surface of a mattress having a width and a length, the restrain comprising:

a. A rectangular sheet of flexible webbing, the rectangular sheet having a length and width smaller than the length and width of the mattress, the rectangular sheet having four corners;

b. A plurality of elongated loops made of elastic webbing mounted to the corners of the rectangular sheet, the elongated loops dimensioned to wrap snuggly around the mattress such that the rectangular sheet is held taught on the surface of the mattress when the loops are wrapped around the mattress;

c. A belt made of a flexible webbing having a length and opposite ends, the belt having complimentary coupling elements formed along the length of the belt, the length of the belt being selected to permit the belt to wrap around the baby and snugly secure the baby with in the belt by engaging the coupling elements, and

d. an elongated tether made of elastic webbing having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the elongated tether being secured to a center portion of the rectangular sheet, the second end of the elongated tether being secured to the belt, the elongated tether having a length selected to keep the belt on top of the rectangular sheet.

3. A restraint for securing a baby on a top surface of a flat support member having a width and a length, the restrain comprising:

a. A rectangular sheet of flexible webbing, the rectangular sheet having a length and width smaller than the length and width of the flat support member, the rectangular sheet having four corners;

b. A plurality of elongated loops made of elastic webbing mounted to the corners of the rectangular sheet, the elongated loops dimensioned to wrap snuggly around the flat support member such that the rectangular sheet is held taught on the surface of the flat support member when the loops are wrapped around the flat support member;

c. A belt made of a flexible webbing having a length and opposite ends, the belt having complimentary coupling elements formed along the length of the belt, the length of the belt being selected to permit the belt to wrap around the baby and snugly secure the baby with in the belt by engaging the coupling elements, and

d. an elongated tether made of elastic webbing having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the elongated tether being secured to a center portion of the rectangular sheet, the second end of the elongated tether being secured to the belt, the elongated tether having a length selected to keep the belt on top of the rectangular sheet.