U.S. patent application number 10/274665 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for child resting cushion.
Invention is credited to Wroobel, Barry.
Application Number | 20040075318 10/274665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32093097 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040075318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wroobel, Barry |
April 22, 2004 |
Child resting cushion
Abstract
A cushioning device that is placed into a shopping cart after
the child is first placed and secured within the cart, allowing the
child to sit on the normal seating surface of a shopping cart, and
providing padding between the front of the child and the shopping
cart push bar for the child's comfort when in a resting position in
the cart. The cushion provides sufficient padding to protect the
head and upper torso portion of a person/child from the
superstructure of the shopping cart in a forward leaning position
or a lateral leaning position, such as in a sleeping position in
which the person's head lies forward over the cart push bar or
sideways over the side railings of the cart. Preferably, the
resting cushion is constructed to be at least partially self
securing within such a transportation device. The cushioning device
can also be used, without modification, as a nursing cushion. The
enlarged ends of the cushion provide support for the head of a
nursing child, while also providing a foot stop to give the child a
feeling of security.
Inventors: |
Wroobel, Barry; (Moorpark,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barry Wroobel
12572 Westmont Dr.
Moorpark
CA
93021
US
|
Family ID: |
32093097 |
Appl. No.: |
10/274665 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/256.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 3/144 20130101;
B62B 3/1448 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/256.17 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/08 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a
shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a
position to provide a resting surface for a person's head and upper
torso portion, comprising: a center section having an upper
surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right
sides, forming a generally level cushioning area; and an elevated
cushioning section fixed to each said left an right sides.
2. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said center section
and said elevated cushioning sections are fluid filled.
3. The cushion as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said center section
and said elevated cushioning sections, together, comprise a fluid
bladder arrangement having at least one fluid chamber defining said
center section and at least one fluid chamber defining said
elevated cushioning sections.
4. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, comprising: at least one
securement structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally
level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to
provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.
5. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said
upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning
area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.
6. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said center section
and said elevated cushioning sections are constructed from an
elastomeric material.
7. The cushion as claimed in claim 6, comprising: at least one
structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level
cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a
means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.
8. The cushion as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said
upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning
area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.
9. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said center section
and said elevated cushioning sections are constructed of a stuffing
filled bladder having multiple stuffing chambers and upper and
lower central surfaces forming said generally level cushioning
area.
10. The cushion as claimed in claim 9, comprising: at least one
structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level
cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a
means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.
11. The cushion as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of said
upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning
area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.
12. A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a
shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a
position to provide a resting surface for a person's head and upper
torso portion, comprising: a body resting section having an upper
surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right
sides, forming a generally level cushioning area; and at least one
securement structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally
level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to
provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.
13. The cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said body resting
section and said securement structure section are fluid filled.
14. The cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said body resting
section and said securement structure section, together, comprise a
fluid bladder arrangement having at least one fluid chamber
defining said body resting section and at least one fluid chamber
defining said securement structure section.
15. The cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of
said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level
cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.
16. The cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said body resting
section and said securement structure section are constructed from
an elastomeric material.
17. The cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of
said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level
cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.
18. The cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said body resting
section and said securement structure section are constructed of a
stuffing filled bladder having multiple stuffing chambers and upper
and lower central surfaces forming said generally level cushioning
area.
19. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said
upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning
area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.
20. A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a
shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a
position to provide a resting surface for a person's head and upper
torso portion, comprising: a center section having an upper
surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right
sides, forming a generally level cushioning area; an elevated
cushioning section fixed to each said left an right sides; and at
least one securement structure, generally perpendicular to the said
generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower
surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to said
apparatus; wherein said center section, said elevated cushioning
sections, and said securement structure section, together, comprise
a fluid or padding filled bladder arrangement having multiple
filled chambers defining said center section, at least one filled
chamber defining each of said elevated cushioning sections, and at
least one filled chamber defining said securement structure
section.
21. A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a
shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a
position to provide a resting surface for a person being
transported in said apparatus, comprising: a center section having
an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and
right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area solely for a
person's head and front upper torso portion and adapted to be
placed between the person's head and front upper torso portion, and
any structure of said apparatus in front of the person; an elevated
cushioning section fixed to each said left an right sides; and a
securement structure arrangement, generally perpendicular to the
said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower
surface and to the sides of a person being transported in said
apparatus, to provide a means for securing said cushion to said
apparatus.
22. A cushion configured to provide a resting surface for a child,
comprising: a center cushion section having a cover enclosing a
filler, an upper surface, a lower surface, left and right sides, an
unrestricted front side free from obstructions, and an unrestricted
rear side free from obstructions, said center cushion section
forming a generally level cushioning area; and left and right
elevated cushion sections, each having a cover enclosing a filler,
an upper surface, a lower surface, and left and right sides;
wherein said right side of said left elevated cushion section is
attached to said left side of said center cushion section, and said
left side of said right elevated cushion section is attached to
said right side of said center cushion section, thereby forming a
plurality of side-by-side joined cushion sections with said left
and right elevated cushion section upper surfaces lie in a plane
above and parallel to said center cushion section upper
surface.
23. The cushion as claimed in claim 22, wherein: said center
cushion section is generally rectangular; and said left and right
elevated cushion sections extend rearwardly beyond said center
cushion section rear side.
24. The cushion as claimed in claim 22, comprising: a left
securement cushion section connected to said left side of said left
elevated cushion section; and a right securement cushion section
connected to said right side of said right elevated cushion
section; said left and right securement cushion sections extending
generally perpendicular to said center cushion section and
extending below said center cushion section lower surface to
provide a means for securing said cushion to an external apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a cushion for supporting a person
resting, and more specifically, for children resting in a child's
seat of a shopping cart, or any other transportation device for a
person with a similar structure as a seating compartment of a
typical shopping cart. Additionally, the invention also relates to
an improved cushion for feeding a child or infant by a nursing
mother.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Heretofore, various cushioning devices have been proposed
for the comfort of children seated in shopping carts. Almost
without exception, the prior art devices have been designed to
increase comfort between the child's backside and the cart itself.
Some additional prior art has addressed shielding the child from
bacteria that might be accessed from the shopping cart push bar.
Little attention has been given to cushioning or supporting a child
from the front side of the child, such as when a child
inadvertently is lunged forward toward the shopping cart push bar,
or when the child leans forward to a sleeping position.
[0005] As noted, many variations in seat cushions have been
developed to function between the backside of the child and the
shopping cart. Such cushions have been constructed employing
various fabrication techniques and materials, including padded
fabric, spongy material, or inflatable bladders.
[0006] Bergh et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,606, issued Oct. 19, 1999,
discloses a perimeter lined padded material formed in various
geometric shapes intended to completely isolate the child form all
points of contact with the shopping cart. In Bergh et al., the
cushion is designed to cover the seat prior to placement of the
child into the cart. Bergh et al. makes several assumptions about
the requirement of padding under the child which may not
necessarily be valid. Additionally, insulating the child from the
firm seat base can cause delays in a very young child's ability to
learn to sit up on a normal firm surface independently.
[0007] Installation of the Bergh et al. device in a shopping cart
can be further complicated by the small button holes provided for
passing a safety strap of the shopping cart through the seat pad to
the child. This process almost certainly requires two hands to
accomplish with the child not in the seat. This means that the
child is unattended during this installation time. This cumbersome
task can discourage use of the safety straps, adding a tremendous
liability factor when using the Bergh et al. device. Bergh et al.
requires the legs of the child to be passed through access holes in
the cushion. This can be made quite difficult when the child is
resistant to such placement. In Bergh et al., the issue of
providing sufficient padding over the push bar of the shopping cart
is not directly addressed. However, since the device of Bergh et
al. is constructed of a relatively constant thickness material, it
is quite probable that providing sufficient thickness to provide
adequate protection would cause the remainder of the pad to become
impractical and cumbersome due to excessive size.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,607, issued Oct. 19, 1999 to
Waldroup, a seat cushioning device for a shopping cart is
disclosed. In Waldroup, the devices are made of relatively firm
materials that are placed under, behind, and to the sides of a
child in the child seat of a shopping cart. An additional cover is
provided to keep the child isolated from a potentially dirty
shopping cart push bar. Although the invention of Waldroup folds
conveniently, it lacks any substantial protection or comforting for
a child leaning or lying forward on the cart push bar. Further,
like Bergh et al., Waldroup requires that the cushioning device be
placed in the cart prior to placement of the child, and further
requires the user to deal with numerous straps for proper
application. Further, Bergh et al. provides relatively little or no
protection of the child from biting or teething on the shopping
cart structures.
[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,207, issued May 19, 1987 to Quartano,
a seat cushioning device for a shopping cart is disclosed. In
Quartano, the devices are made of segmented cushions forming a pad
that is placed under, behind, and in front of the child in the
shopping cart seat. The segmented pad is brought forward over the
cart push bar to provide chest padding. Numerous straps are
provided to secure the pad to the back and front of the shopping
cart. A restraint strap is relied upon to hold the child from
lateral movement. No additional padding is provided to restrain or
protect the child from harm by contact with either side of the
cart, and the frontal padding only protects the child if it
experiences movement directly forward. Further, as with previously
mentioned prior art, Quartano's pad is placed generally under the
child prior to the child being placed into the shopping cart. This
means that the attendant must use their hands to insert the
Quartano device and fix the straps while the young child is left
relatively unattended.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,639, issued May 28, 2002 to Ohsner,
discloses an inflatable cushion with an inflatable tubular
periphery. In Ohsner, no attention is given, nor structure
provided, for placement or use of the cushion within a child's seat
portion of a shopping cart. In Ohsner, the child is presumed to be
lying horizontal during use. Additionally, Ohsner uses a system of
larger area bottom walls than top walls to bias the tubular members
upward. This device is not very practical for use as a
nursing/feeding cushion and provides little or no elevation support
for the child's head.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,298, issued Apr. 17, 2001 to Oliveria,
discloses a head support for a child's car seat. In Oliveria, no
attention is given, nor structure provided, for placement or use of
the device within a child's seat portion of a shopping cart. In
Oliveria, the child is presumed to be sitting generally vertical
within a car seat and is structurally supported by the back upright
portion of the car seat. Oliveria has no provisions for use in a
shopping cart or for use as a nursing or feeding cushion. Oliveria
does not provide any practical use as a nursing/feeding
cushion.
[0012] In the shopping cart cushion by "Baby a la cart" as
presented at www.babyalacart.com, a typical prior art device is
depicted. In "Baby a la cart", a relatively thin cotton padded
fabric is shaped into a general basket shape that fits into the
seating portion of a typical shopping cart forming a pad that is
placed under, behind, and in front of the child. A portion of the
padding is brought forward over the cart push bar to provide chest
padding. An elastic strap is relied upon to secure the device to
the shopping cart. A restraint strap is relied upon to hold the
child from lateral movement in place of the standard strap provided
with the shopping cart. This action transfers liability for
restraining the child away from the shopping cart and to the "Baby
a la cart" device. While padding is provided around the child, the
use of "1 inch fluffy batting" is hardly sufficient to protect a
child's forward or sideways movement that results in even
relatively low force impact with the hard bars of the shopping
cart. Further, as with previously mentioned prior art, the pad of
"Baby a la cart" is placed generally under the child prior to the
child being placed into the shopping cart. This means that the
attendant must use their hands to insert the "Baby a la cart"
device while the young child is left relatively unattended. In
addition to these stated drawbacks of "Baby a la cart", this device
is totally impractical to serve as a nursing/feeding cushion.
[0013] It should be noted, that none of the above mentioned prior
art examples deal with the issues of nursing or feeding a child or
infant at all.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,134 to Matthews, issued Nov. 16, 1993,
discloses a generally "C" or horseshoe shaped cushion with a
generally round or curved inner and outer edge and generally lesser
curved support surfaces. In this patent, the unusual shape is
commonly copied or emulated by many manufacturers with various
minor modifications. The cushions of this shape are generally
designed to aid in nursing or feeding an infant or child. However,
this type of cushion has several drawbacks as a nursing cushion.
The lesser curved surface is relatively the same elevation across
the entire surface thus not elevating the child's head for nursing.
Second, the curved or crescent shape requires that the child remain
curved very close to the mother. Very little extra surface area for
random movement is provided. Attempts have been made to use this
type of cushion as a shopping cart cushion. There are several
drawbacks to using this type of device as a shopping cart cushion,
some of these being actually dangerous to the child. First, there
is no securing device to hold the cushion in front of the child in
a shopping cart. The child can simply jettison the cushion off the
front of the cart leaving the child totally exposed to hitting or
teething on the super structure of the shopping cart. Second, the
surface of these types of cushions are relatively flat. If the
child were to rest or fall asleep on this type of cushion in a
shopping cart, the child could easily roll off to either side and
be harmed by hitting the superstructure of the shopping cart.
Additionally, as a nursing cushion, the relatively even or
continuous surface does not provide any elevated support for the
child's head above the surface of the cushion. There is also
nothing to provide a foot stop for a nursing child. Further, the
resting surface of the cushion is rounded at its outer edge. As the
infant or child becomes larger, he or she is forced to curl into a
curved shape to avoid falling off the edge of the cushion.
Additionally, this device, along with the many others that resemble
it, does not deal with the issues of protecting a child in a
shopping cart.
[0015] It should be noted that all of the aforementioned prior
devices cushion the child from underneath or behind the child in
the shopping cart mode, except for Mathews which does not address
this issue at all. None of these prior art devices seeks to cushion
a child already seated on the normal seating surface of a shopping
cart. Further, none of the known prior art seeks to cushion the
child in a forward lying down position, or in a position in which
the child is leaning forward with chest and face down in a sleeping
position against the push bar of a shopping cart. Typically, the
known prior art devices require the user to install the devices
into the shopping cart prior to placement of the child into the
shopping cart seat. This forces attention and supervision of the
child to be diverted from the child to the device during
installation in a shopping cart. When used as a nursing cushion,
none of the prior art shopping cart devices address this issue at
all, and Matthews, along with the many similar devices does not
provide full support for the nursing child's head and feet, and
provides only a relatively small surface support area for the
child.
[0016] Additionally, most of the prior art devices require some
form of strapping to secure them to a shopping cart for normal
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the
prior art by providing a cushion configured to provide a resting
surface for a child, comprising a uniquely configured and
constructed multi-sectional cushion arrangement. A center cushion
section has a cover enclosing a filler, an upper surface, a lower
surface, left and right sides, an unrestricted front side free from
obstructions, and an unrestricted rear side free from obstructions,
the center cushion section forming a generally level cushioning
area. Each one of a left and a right elevated cushion section has a
cover enclosing a filler, an upper surface, a lower surface, and
left and right sides. The right side of the left elevated cushion
section is attached to the left side of the center cushion section,
and the left side of the right elevated cushion section is attached
to the right side of the center cushion section, thereby forming a
plurality of side-by-side joined cushion sections with the left and
right elevated cushion section upper surfaces lying in a plane
above and parallel to the center cushion section upper surface.
[0018] The device of the present invention provides a cushion that
can be used in two ideal embodiment modes. In the shopping cart
mode, it is placed into a shopping cart after the child is first
placed and secured within the cart, using the standard securing
devices provided with the shopping cart. This allows the child to
sit on the normal seating surface of a shopping cart and become
accustomed to sitting on a normal seating surface. Additionally, it
provides padding between the front and sides of the child and the
shopping cart push bar and superstructure.
[0019] In the nursing cushion mode, the significantly enlarged ends
of the present invention provide significant support for the head
of a nursing child while also providing a foot stop to give a
nursing child a feeling of security. Additionally, the support
surface, being more rectangular verses the typical crescent shape
of prior art cushions allows support for larger children and
twins.
[0020] It is an object of the present invention, in the shopping
cart mode, to provide a resting cushion that provides support for a
person, such as a child, in a seating area of a transportation
device such as a shopping cart. In all of the below shopping cart
mode embodiments, the resting cushion provides sufficient padding
to protect the head and upper torso portion of a person/child from
the superstructure of the shopping cart in a forward leaning
position or in a position slightly off to either side, such as in a
sleeping position in which the person's head lies forward over the
cart push bar. It is a further object of the present invention in
this mode to provide a padding system that can be placed into the
shopping cart after the child is situated within the seating area
of the shopping cart. Preferably, the resting cushion is
constructed to be at least partially self securing within such a
transportation device.
[0021] In the nursing mode, it is an object of the present
invention to supply a cushion that provides significant head
support above the main support area, foot stops to provide a
feeling of security to a nursing child, and a large child support
surface area generally rectangular in shape in the front of the
nursing mother.
[0022] The cushion of the present invention, in the shopping cart
mode, may have secondary usages, such as on top of a front cross
support section of a car seat, similar to the head support cushion
of Oliveria. Additionally, in the nursing usage mode, the present
invention also provides for child support on the thighs of an adult
while the adult is in a reclining position with their legs bent up,
and other similar positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0023] These and other aspects of the invention will be better
understood, and additional features of the invention will be
described hereinafter having reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention constructed
using an air bladder construction technique;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention constructed
using a sponge rubber construction technique;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention constructed
using a fabric and stuffing construction technique;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the resting cushion
taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention displayed in
the lap of a nursing mother with an infant nursing across the
cushion; and
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a child seated in a shopping
cart, with the present moving into place over the lap of the seated
child.
[0030] It is to be understood that the accompanying drawings and
the following descriptions are provided by way of illustration only
and are not intended to present a finite embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In FIG. 1, one embodiment of the instant invention, based on
a multi-chamber inflatable fluid bladder cushion 1, is depicted.
The multi-chambered fluid bladder cushion 1 is inflated prior to
use employing any of a number of known bladder-filling valves and
associated apparatuses (not shown). After placement of a child in
the seat of a shopping cart, the inflated resting cushion 1 is
placed in front of the child between the child and the push bar 7a
of the shopping cart 7.
[0032] The larger end chambers 2a,2b are provided to create a
higher barrier compared to the standard padding chambers 9, thus
helping to prevent the child's head or upper body from rolling off
the left and right ends of the cushion 1.
[0033] Side chambers 4 define a securement structure section of the
cushion 1, helping to hold the overall cushion 1 in place within
the area of a basic shopping cart 7 to be occupied by a child, and
provide padding protection between the child's legs/thighs and the
sides 7c of shopping cart 7. In effect, the resiliency of the side
chambers 4 permit wedging of the side chambers 4 between a child's
legs/thighs and the sides 7c of the shopping cart 7.
[0034] In common practice, a child's favorite blanket can be placed
over the top of the cushion 1 making an easily washable comfort
surface.
[0035] The standard padding chambers 9 are formed large enough to
provide sufficient padding to prevent a child from hitting the
shopping cart push bar 7a when lowering his or her head down to
rest on the cushion 1.
[0036] Using this design, the invention allows the cushion 1 to be
placed into the shopping cart 7 after the child has been placed in
the shopping cart 7 and secured. Additionally, supervisory
attention need not be split between placement of the cushion 1 and
placement of the child in the cart 7, as with prior art.
[0037] While providing significant amount of padding and protection
for the child within the shopping cart 7, the child is allowed to
sit on the basic seat (not visible in the drawing) of the shopping
cart 7 and can lean back against a back support 5 of the cart 7.
This allows the child to learn to support and balance himself or
herself as the shopping cart 7 moves in a more natural situation,
i.e. the same as without a cushion. This gives the child a more
natural base to become familiar with, contrary to the prior art
which isolates the child from the seat of the shopping cart 7.
[0038] In some applications for the invention, the optional side
chambers 4 can be made to press against the sides 7c of the
shopping cart 7, securing the cushion 1 in place and thereby
eliminating the need to use additional strapping to support the
cushion 1, as is the case with many of the prior art devices.
[0039] FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the invention. This
embodiment of a shopping cart resting cushion 20 is constructed
using sponge rubber foam or similar resilient material. It may be
optionally covered with a soft fabric or with a child's favorite
blanket (not shown). The end caps 22a, 22b are formed to extend
higher than the central padding portion 23. While depicted with
orthogonal corners and edges, the cushion of FIG. 2 can equally be
formed with rounded edges and corners. The central padding portion
23 is made thick enough and resilient enough to provide sufficient
padding to prevent a child from hitting the shopping cart push bar
7a when lowering his or her head down to rest on the cushion 20.
End pads 24 extend downwardly and help hold the overall cushion 20
in place within the area of a basic shopping cart 7 to be occupied
by a child and provide padding protection between the child's
legs/thighs and the sides 7c of the shopping cart 7 in the same
manner as described in connection with FIG. 1.
[0040] A preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS.
3 and 4, the latter being a cross sectional view of the FIG. 3. In
this embodiment, the cushion 30 is constructed of at minimum a
fabric base attached to a fabric top, and stuffed with padding to
form padded chambers 31a, 31b, 32, and 33, creating a multi-cushion
structure employing processes known in the field of pillow,
mattress, and quilt manufacturing. A number of different materials
can be used for both the base fabric 41, the top fabric 43, and the
padding 45 without changing the scope of the invention. For
example, the filler for the different cushion segments 4, 2a, 2b,
and 9 (FIG. 1) may be fluid, cut-foam, shredded foam, feathers,
polyfill, synthetic or natural rubber, etc.
[0041] The top and bottom fabric pieces 41, 43 may be sewn
together, as shown at 47 in FIG. 4, such that the connection
between top and bottom fabrics 41, 43 is closest to the bottom of
the cushion 30, allowing the bottom piece of fabric 41 to be
substantially flat and level in order to conform better to the top
surface of the push bar 7a. Additionally, the scallop-shaped top
fabric 43 on the side padding section 33 tends to better secure the
resting cushion 30 against the wire frame sides 7c of the shopping
cart 7.
[0042] The center padded chambers 32 provide sufficient padding and
resiliency so as to cushion a child when leaning forward over the
superstructure of a shopping cart 7, preventing injury and
providing comfort. The end sections 31a and 31b extend higher than
the center section 32, thus helping to prevent the child's head or
upper body from rolling off the end of the cushion 30.
[0043] Left and right side padding sections 33 serves to protect
the child's legs from impacting the shopping cart 7 superstructure
and also serves to help secure the overall cushion 30 within the
shopping cart 7 without the need for additional strapping.
[0044] The forward ends of the center and end sections 31a, 31b,
and 32 project beyond the forward ends of the side padding sections
33, so as to extend well over the push bar 7a.
[0045] The invention depicted in FIG. 5 is being used in the
nursing mode, the figure illustrating the comfortable position of a
child feeding from a nursing mother 50. In normal use, center
sections 32 serve to support the body of a baby 51, while the
enlarged end section 31a serves to support the baby's head high
enough to comfortably reach the mothers nursing nipple (not shown).
The enlarged section 31b at the opposite end serves as a foot stop
for the nursing baby 51, or as an arm support for the nursing
mother 50.
[0046] In FIG. 6, the cushion 60 of the present invention is
depicted in the shopping cart mode as being placed over the lap of
a child 62 in a shopping cart 61. The cushion 60 is depicted as
being constructed and configured within the scope of the present
invention, having a single large center chamber 63 comprising the
middle section of cushion 60. As outlined in the objectives of the
invention, the child 62 is placed into the shopping cart 61 prior
to the installation of the cushion 60 being placed over the child's
lap. As depicted in this figure, the standard restraining strap 64
is secured around the child 62 as designed by the shopping cart
manufacturer, thus not altering the safety design of the standard
shopping cart 61. Arrow 65 indicates the placement of the cushion
60 over the lap of the child 62 and into the shopping cart 61.
[0047] Although the descriptions and figures herein contain many
specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope
of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the
preferred embodiments of the resting cushion according to the
invention.
[0048] There are many other features envisioned by the inventor.
These include the use of the cushion in other structures such as
strollers, car seats, etc. Additionally, a cushion made in
accordance with the invention can also be used as a lap cushion for
a resting child, or for playing with a child. Additionally, there
are a variety of materials and chamber combinations that may be
used in manufacture of the cushion. Some of these envisioned by the
inventor include the basic structure as being filled with air,
other gases, or other materials, while maintaining the shape and
functionality. The entire cushion could be manufactured as a single
chamber with the same basic shape, etc. Such basic modifications
are well known to anyone skilled in the art and do not add or
detract from the concept of providing a product that: a. cushions a
child in a shopping cart 7, or similar transportation device, and
which can be put in place after placement of the child within the
shopping cart 7, or similar transportation device; or b. can serve
as a nursing or feeding cushion that props the child's head above
the elevation of the rest of the body.
[0049] While only certain embodiments of the invention have been
set forth above, alternative embodiments and various modifications
will be apparent from the above description and the accompanying
drawing to those skilled in the art. These and other alternatives
are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be
determined by the appended claims and the legal equivalents, rather
than by the examples given.
* * * * *
References