SWADDLING GARMENT WITH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR STRAPS
A swaddling garment is provided for securely maintaining an infant within the garment. The garment comprises and inner strap configured to bind the arms of an infant and an exterior strap attached to the exterior of the garment for wrapping around the garment and the infant being partially maintained by the weight of the infant and optional fastener sets to connect the exterior strap to itself or to the sack of the garment. A positioning mechanism is provided for positioning an infant on a sleeping surface comprising a retaining loop for surrounding a sleeping surface that is connected to a wrap for surrounding the infant and the sack of the garment.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/092,634 filed Oct. 16, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present general inventive concept is directed to a garment for infants or babies with integrated straps for improved security and ease of swaddling.
Description of the Related ArtInfants are born with a startle reflex also known as the Moro reflex until about the age of 6 months. Swaddling reduces the startle reflex and makes infants feel more secure. The American Association of Pediatricians (AAP) advises that babies should always sleep on their back for the first year, and that parents follow safe swaddling techniques with the upper body securely swaddled and the lower body free to bend at the hips for healthy hip development. Secure swaddles are the safest swaddles, eliminating the risks associated with loose blankets, entanglement, and rolling over. Secure swaddles also improve the infant's contentedness and sleep. Pediatricians recommend babies sleep 15 to 17 hours per day for proper brain growth and development. Single blanket swaddling is insufficient to retain a baby in a comfortable compression to maintain sleep. This approach is known to become loose resulting in the waking of the infant and increased danger from loose blankets.
The prior art contains numerous methods and materials for swaddling an infant. However, the prior art is insufficient in maintaining a swaddled configuration and prior attempts to solve this problem have been insufficient in securing the infant's arms from movement. In particular, previous attempts have utilized hook and loop fasteners, however this kind of fastener creates noise when detached and does not wash well, accumulating lint and fabric.
What is needed is an easy to use garment that has arm binding straps built into the interior of the garment and provides a persistent retention of the straps and the swaddling pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved garment with integrated swaddling structure. A garment that can provide an internal binding for the arms of an infant in addition to a swaddling compression wrap around the upper body of the infant can reduce wriggling of the arms of the infant and the infant's startle reflex, and increase contentedness of the infant and improve retention of the swaddling garment.
The above aspects can be obtained by a swaddling garment comprising a sack configured to receive an infant where the sack comprises an inner surface and an exterior surface, an interior strap affixed to the sack inner surface with a first side configured to form a loop to retain a first arm of an infant and a second side configured to form a loop to retain other arm of an infant; an exterior strap affixed to said sack and configured to extend around the sack and exterior to the infant and the interior strap to bind an infant in a reliable swaddle.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a positioning mechanism to maintain placement of an infant in a swaddling garment relative to a sleeping surface. This can be obtained by a swaddling garment for positioning an infant comprising a sack configured to receive an infant, said sack comprising a sack inner surface and a sack exterior surface, an interior strap affixed to the sack inner surface, the interior strap having a first side and a second side where the interior strap first side is configured to form a loop to hold an arm of an infant and the interior strap second side is configured to form a loop to hold another arm of an infant, an exterior strap affixed to said sack and configured to extend around the sack exterior surface to bind an infant; and a positioning mechanism comprising a retaining loop configured to surround a sleeping surface such as a mattress, and a wrap connected to the retaining loop comprises a wrap first side and a wrap second side; the retaining loop is rotatable about a sleeping surface to locate the wrap; and the wrap is configured to encircle the sack and retain an infant in a location on said sleeping surface.
Another aspect of the invention provides a swaddling garment for compressing an infant comprising a sack, a first strap attached to an interior of the sack, a second strap attached to the interior of the sack, a third strap attached to an exterior of the sack, wherein said first strap is configured loop around a first arm of an infant, said second strap is configured to loop around a second arm of an infant; and said third strap is configured to encircle said first strap and said second strap and an exterior of said sack at least one circumference to swaddle an infant.
These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
In a preferred embodiment, interior strap 30 can be approximately 7 to 8 inches wide and 27 to 30 inches long, but may vary depending on the size of the baby. Other dimensions and ranges are suitable for the device to function as intended. For example, interior strap 30 can be from 6 to 10 inches wide and from 20 to 37 inches long. Other lengths can be utilized in various embodiments of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, two interior straps can be provided where interior strap first side 34 is not continuous with interior strap second side 36. When fitting the garment to a baby, interior strap first side 34 can be tucked under the baby by pushing or pulling to apply light tension to interior strap first side 34 to remove slack and press the baby's arm against sack inner surface 18. Similarly interior strap second side 36 can be lightly tensioned to press the baby's other arm against the sack inner surface 18. This feature of the device keeps the arms of the baby pressed against the garment and limits arm movement.
With the arms secured, the sack 10 can be closed to keep the baby inside.
Exterior strap 50 is shown in
In an embodiment of the invention additional fasteners can be provided such as first garment fastener set and second garment fastener set. In an embodiment shown in the figures, first sack fastener 23 and third sack fastener 25 are disposed on sack outer surface 16 of the swaddling garment 100 and can comprise one or more male snap protrusions. Second sack fastener 22 and fourth sack fastener 24 are shown disposed on exterior strap second surface 61 and can comprise female snap receiver portions. First sack fastener 23 is configured to releasably connect to second sack fastener 22 disposed on exterior strap second surface 61. Third sack fastener 25 is configured to releasably connect to fourth sack fastener 24 disposed on exterior strap second surface 61. First and second sack fasteners 23, 22 can provide a first garment fastener set configured to fasten exterior strap 50 to swaddling garment 100. Third and fourth sack fasteners 25, 24 can provide a second garment fastener set configured to fasten exterior strap 50 to swaddling garment 100. The fastener sets can comprise one or more snap sets or corresponding hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or other fastener sets suitable for use with clothing.
The sack 10 can comprise a V-neck as shown in the figures, not numbered, to provide for terminal end of the zipper 15 both spaced away from the face of the baby, and configured to be covered by the fabric of exterior strap 50. In this way, the skin of the baby will not contact the components of zipper 15 covered by exterior strap 50. Exterior strap 50 is configured to be spaced away from the baby's face and wrap around the torso of the baby and restrain the arms of the baby. Placement of the exterior strap 50 at a position spaced apart from the face of the infant avoids contact with the infant's face or head and avoids difficulties with bunching or obstructing breathing. The fastener sets allow exterior strap first surface 51 to be fastened to exterior strap second surface 61. Additionally, exterior strap 50 can be configured for releasable attachment to sack outer surface 16. Attachment of the exterior strap 50 to fasteners 23, 25 on sack outer surface 16 retains the vertical position of exterior strap relative to the infant's face. Attachment of exterior strap 50 to sack 10 prevents the exterior strap 50 from riding up towards the infant's face or the head of the infant. The infant position relative to the swaddling garment 100 is maintained by the interior strap 30 engaging the arms of the infant. Swaddling garment 100 provides for attachment of the exterior strap 50 to itself as well as attachment to sack 10 to provide secure retention of the swaddle with adjustable tension to suit the size of the infant. The elements of the garment of the invention work together to maintain the position of the infant relative the sack 10 and the position of the exterior strap 50 relative the sack 10.
When exterior strap 50 is wrapped about the upper body, babies will find it difficult to roll over. As babies grow and become more active and mobile, additional aspects of the invention can reduce movement. Additional features are provided in an embodiment comprising a positioning mechanism 400 to further aid in preventing an infant or baby from rolling over and keeping a baby safely positioned in the middle of the crib away from edges of mattress. In an alternate embodiment, a positioning mechanism shown in
Wrap 40 can comprise a set of fasteners to secure and position an infant. A set of fasteners can comprise hook and loop or snap fastener sets with corresponding features on wrap first side 92 and wrap second side 94. In an embodiment first fastener protrusion 72 and second fastener protrusion 74 are disposed near the edge of wrap first side 92. In
In this alternate embodiment of swaddling garment 100, exterior strap 50 is longer than the embodiment in
In
The invention provides improved retaining features such as the ability to independently limit the movement of the arms of the baby. Prior swaddle devices and methods have an inferior approach that allows for the movement of the baby's arms which in many cases results in the baby removing the compression of the swaddle and reducing the effectiveness of the swaddle. As a result, the baby would continue to wake up and require attention. The device of the invention retains the baby effectively within the device by reducing individual arm movements, reducing the need for attention. The increased sleep duration allows parents and caregivers to enjoy more uninterrupted sleep, and allows the parents and caregivers more continuous sleep. It also improves safety from rollovers with a more secure swaddle and improved design where interior straps do not rely on mechanical fasteners or hook and loop or Velcro.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A swaddling garment comprising
- a sack configured to receive an infant, said sack comprising a sack inner surface and a sack exterior surface;
- an interior strap affixed to said sack inner surface, said interior strap comprising an interior strap first side and an interior strap second side;
- said interior strap first side is configured to form a loop to retain an arm;
- said interior strap second side is configured to form a loop to retain an arm;
- an exterior strap affixed to said sack and configured to extend around said sack exterior surface to bind an infant.
2. The swaddling garment of claim 1 wherein said exterior strap comprises a length to wrap around a torso of an infant and terminate under said sack.
3. The swaddling garment of claim 1 wherein said sack comprises a zipper for providing access to said sack inner surface.
4. The swaddling garment of claim 1 wherein said interior strap first side terminates in a distal end configured to be placed under an infant, and said interior strap second side terminates in a distal end configured to be placed under an infant.
5. The swaddling garment of claim 1 wherein said exterior strap comprises:
- an exterior strap first surface comprising a fastener receiver;
- an exterior strap second surface comprising a fastener protrusion;
- wherein said fastener receiver is spaced apart from said fastener protrusion a distance approximately equal to a circumference of said sack to facilitate connection of said fastener protrusion and said fastener receiver to retain said exterior strap.
6. The swaddling garment of claim 5 further comprising:
- a garment fastener set comprising a first sack fastener disposed on said sack outer surface and a second sack fastener disposed on said exterior strap second surface.
7. A swaddling garment for positioning an infant comprising:
- a sack configured to receive an infant, said sack comprising a sack inner surface and a sack exterior surface;
- an interior strap affixed to said sack inner surface, said interior strap comprising an interior strap first side and an interior strap second side;
- an exterior strap affixed to said sack;
- said interior strap first side is configured to form a loop around an arm;
- said interior strap second side is configured to form a loop around an arm;
- said exterior strap is configured to extend around said sack exterior surface to bind an infant;
- a positioning mechanism comprising a retaining loop configured to surround a sleeping surface, and a wrap connected to said retaining loop and comprising a wrap first side and a wrap second side;
- said retaining loop is rotatable about said sleeping surface to locate said positioning wrap; and
- said wrap is configured to encircle said sack and retain an infant in a location on said sleeping surface.
8. The swaddling garment of claim 7 wherein said exterior strap comprises fasteners for releasably attaching said exterior strap to said sack exterior surface.
9. The swaddling garment of claim 7 wherein said wrap first side comprises a first fastener and said wrap second side comprises a second fastener and said fasteners are configured to connect said wrap first side to said wrap second side and around said exterior strap.
10. The swaddling garment of claim 7 wherein said retaining loop is configured to surround a crib mattress.
11. The swaddling garment of claim 10 wherein said sack comprises a zipper for providing access to said sack inner surface.
12. A swaddling garment for compressing an infant comprising:
- a sack;
- a first strap attached to an interior of said sack;
- a second strap attached to said interior of said sack;
- a third strap attached to an exterior of said sack;
- wherein said first strap is configured to loop around a first arm of an infant, said second strap is configured to loop around a second arm of an infant; and
- said third strap is configured to encircle said first strap and said second strap and an exterior of said sack at least one circumference to swaddle an infant.
13. The garment of claim 12 wherein said third strap comprises a distal end at a length configured to terminate underneath said sack and the weight of a wearer of the garment.
14. The garment of claim 12 wherein said third strap comprises at least one fastener set configured to attach a first surface of said third strap to a second surface of said third strap to fasten said third strap around an infant and retain said third spaced apart from a head of an infant.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 7, 2021
Publication Date: Apr 21, 2022
Inventor: Courtney Fox Peters (Conshohocken, PA)
Application Number: 17/495,992