U.S. patent application number 11/105778 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for cover.
Invention is credited to Stephanie F. Karr.
Application Number | 20060232112 11/105778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37107810 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060232112 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karr; Stephanie F. |
October 19, 2006 |
Cover
Abstract
Embodiments of methods, and/or articles for protecting at least
a portion of a child seat are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Karr; Stephanie F.; (Tigard,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERKELEY LAW & TECHNOLOGY GROUP
1700NW 167TH PLACE
SUITE 240
BEAVERTON
OR
97006
US
|
Family ID: |
37107810 |
Appl. No.: |
11/105778 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/219.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 31/11 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/219.12 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. An article, comprising: a cover fitted to protect at least a
portion of a child seat having a liner, wherein the cover includes
a securing portion capable of at least partially securing the cover
to the child seat.
2. The article of claim 1, wherein said cover is configured to have
a generally oblong shape.
3. The article of claim 1, wherein said cover is formed from one or
more materials, including terrycloth, cotton, polyester, plastic,
and/or combinations thereof.
4. The article of claim 1, and further comprising at least one slot
formed in at least a portion of the cover.
5. The article of claim 4, and further comprising a plurality of
slots configured such as to allow portions of a five-point harness
coupled to the child seat to pass at least partially through the
cover.
6. The article of claim 5, and further comprising at least one slot
configured such as to allow at least one tray post to at least
partially pass through the cover.
7. The article of claim 5, and further comprising one or more
harness cover portions configured to cover at least a portion of
the five-point harness.
8. The article of claim 1, wherein said child seat comprises one or
more of the following: a high chair, a stroller, a car seat, a
shopping cart, a booster seat, a bicycle seat, an infant swing, an
infant "bouncy" seat, and/or combinations thereof.
9. The article of claim 1, wherein said at least one securing
portion comprises one or more of the following: elastic,
drawstring, snaps, Velcro.RTM., buttons, clips, and/or combinations
thereof.
10. The article of claim 1, wherein said cover is at least
partially machine-washable.
11. An article, comprising: means for protecting a child seat
having a liner, wherein the means for protecting comprises: means
for covering at least a portion of the child seat; and means for
securing the means for covering to the child seat.
12. The article of claim 11, wherein said means for protecting
comprises a cover, wherein the cover is fitted to cover at least a
portion of the child seat and at least a portion of the liner, and
wherein the cover is comprised of one or more materials.
13. The article of claim 12, wherein said one or more materials
includes: terrycloth, cotton, polyester, plastic and/or
combinations thereof.
14. The article of claim 11, wherein said child seat comprises one
or more of the following: a high chair, a stroller, a car seat, a
shopping cart, a booster seat, a bicycle seat, an infant swing, an
infant "bouncy" seat, and/or combinations thereof.
15. The article of claim 11, wherein said means for securing
comprises one or more of the following: elastic, drawstring, snaps,
Velcro.RTM., buttons, clips, and/or combinations thereof.
16. The article of claim 12, wherein said cover is at least
partially machine-washable.
17. A system, comprising: a child seat; a liner coupled to the
child seat; and a cover coupled to the child seat, wherein said
cover is fitted to cover at least a portion of the child seat and
at least a portion of the liner.
18. The system of claim 17, and further comprising at least one
securing portion capable of at least partially securing the cover
to the child seat.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one securing
portion comprises one or more of the following: elastic,
drawstring, snaps, Velcro.RTM., buttons, clips, and/or combinations
thereof.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein said cover is formed from one
or more materials, including terrycloth, cotton, polyester,
plastic, and/or combinations thereof.
21. The system of claim 17, and further comprising a plurality of
slots configured such as to allow portions of a five-point harness
coupled to the child seat to pass at least partially through the
cover.
22. The system of claim 17, wherein said child seat comprises one
or more of the following: a high chair, a stroller, a car seat, a
shopping cart, a booster seat, a bicycle seat, an infant swing, an
infant "bouncy" seat, and/or combinations thereof.
23. The system of claim 17, wherein said cover is at least
partially machine-washable.
24. A child seat and child seat liner kept clean in the following
manner: securing a cover to at least a portion of the child seat,
wherein said cover is fitted to cover at least a portion of the
child seat and at least a portion of the liner.
25. The child seat and child seat liner of claim 24, wherein said
cover further comprises at least one securing portion capable of at
least partially securing the cover to the child seat, wherein said
at least one securing portion comprises one or more of the
following: elastic, drawstring, snaps, Velcro.RTM., buttons, clips,
and/or combinations thereof.
26. The child seat and child seat liner of claim 24, wherein said
cover is formed from one or more materials, including terrycloth,
cotton, polyester, plastic, and/or combinations thereof.
27. The child seat and child seat liner of claim 24, and further
comprising a plurality of slots configured such as to allow
portions of a five-point harness coupled to the child seat to pass
at least partially through the cover.
28. The child seat and child seat liner of claim 24, wherein said
child seat comprises one or more of the following: a high chair, a
stroller, a car seat, a shopping cart, a booster seat, a bicycle
seat, an infant swing, an infant "bouncy" seat, and/or combinations
thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Numerous differing types and categories of child or infant
seats exist, and may include, for example, high chairs, strollers,
infant swings, infant seats, such as "bouncy" seats, car seats and
booster seats. Additionally, numerous other types of devices, while
not generally referred to as seats, may be configured to provide a
convenient place to secure a child, toddler or infant during a task
such as shopping, feeding or dining, for example. Devices such as
these may be referred to as seating devices, and, in this context,
seating devices may include any device capable of securing a child
or infant, for example. Occasionally, seating devices such as these
may become soiled, and it may be desirable to clean at least a
portion of the seating device, for example. The process of cleaning
seating devices such as these may be difficult and/or may be time
consuming, which may be due in part to the process of removing
and/or cleaning portions of the seating device. For a variety of
reasons, including the reasons set forth above, it may be desirable
to produce a device that may address one or more of these
limitations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0002] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly
claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Claimed
subject matter, however, both as to organization and method of
operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference of the following detailed
description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0003] FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a cover in accordance with
one embodiment;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seating device fitted with
a cover, in accordance with one embodiment;
[0005] FIGS. 3a and 3b are side views of numerous covers, in
accordance with one or more embodiments; and
[0006] FIGS. 4a and 4b are side views of numerous covers, in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of
claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
methods, procedures and/or components have not been described in
detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.
[0008] Numerous differing types and categories of seating devices
exist, and, in this context, seating devices may include devices
primarily designed to provide seating for a child, and may
additionally include devices that may not be primarily designed for
child seating, but may have the capability to provide seating for a
child. Seating devices such as these may include a liner, which may
be padded, for example, and the liner may be permanently and/or
removably coupled to the seating device. A liner, in this context,
may comprise one or more materials that may be at least partially
flexible, and may be configured to be attached to the seating
device, such as to provide functions such as padding for one or
more seating surfaces of the seating device. Seating devices may
include high chairs, strollers, car seats, shopping carts, booster
seats, infant swings, infant seats, such as "bouncy" seats, and/or
bicycle seats, although numerous other types of seating devices may
exist, and are not listed herein. Devices such as these may be
referred to throughout the specification as seating devices or
child seats, regardless of whether the devices are used primarily
for seating, for example. Additionally, although referred to as a
child seat, a seating device in accordance with one or more
embodiments may be particularly configured to seat infants,
toddlers or children, and child seat refers generally to devices
capable of seating children having a variety of ages, for
example.
[0009] Child seats or portions thereof, such as a liner, as
described above may, for numerous reasons, occasionally be cleaned,
or may be cleaned frequently, such as after every use, for example.
Additionally, it may be desirable for a child to have little direct
contact with the child seat, such as if the child seat is utilized
by multiple children, for example, such as in a nursery or day
care, and may be potentially unsanitary as a result. The process of
cleaning seating devices such as these may be difficult and/or may
be time consuming, which may be due in part to the process of
removing and/or cleaning the liner, and/or cleaning other portions
of the seating device. Additionally, it may be customary to clean
the liner regularly, such as after regular use of the seating
device. In this case, if the liner is cleaned multiple times, the
liner may become discolored, misshapen and/or weakened, such as due
to the multiple washing processes, for example. However, it is
desirable to note that the claimed subject matter is not so
limited, and in alternative embodiments no liner may be utilized,
as explained previously.
[0010] In at least one embodiment, a child seat may comprise a high
chair, and the high chair may include a liner. The high chair may
further include harness straps, such as harness straps comprising a
five-point harness, and/or may comprise a tray and/or tray post, as
will be explained in more detail later. A high chair such as
described herein may be utilized to secure a child, such as during
a meal or during craft activities, for example. The high chair
and/or portions thereof, such as the liner or harness straps may,
for example, become soiled during one or more of the
above-described uses, for example, and, as a result, it may be
desirable to clean the high chair, which may include cleaning the
liner and/or harness straps. The liner may be removable, for
example, but may be difficult to remove, which may be due to the
manner by which it is secured to a chair, such as by use of
multiple snaps, for example. Additionally, the liner may not be
removable, and/or removal and cleaning of the liner may not
thoroughly clean the chair, or may result in wear and tear of the
liner, such as due to multiple washings, described previously. It
may, therefore, be desirable to produce a cover that may be fitted
to protect at least a portion of a child seat and/or liner, such as
by covering at least a portion of the child seat and/or the liner.
Fitted, as used in this context, refers generally to the capability
of a cover to at least partially conform to the shape of portions
of a seating device. For example, a cover may be fitted to conform
to a seating device, wherein the seating device includes a liner,
for example. Fitting may be aided by the use of securing portions,
as will be explained in more detail later. The cover fitted to
protect at least a portion of the child seat and/or liner may be
more easily or readily removable than the liner, may be less
susceptible to wear and tear due to multiple washings such as by
being comprised of a more readily washable material or combination
of materials, may be less expensive than a liner, and/or may
protect and/or cover a greater portion of the child seat than is
protected and/or covered by the liner, for example. This may
provide easier clean up after a meal or other activity, may provide
a convenient way to protect and/or cover a child seat that may be
unsanitary, and/or may reduce wear and tear of the liner, such as
discoloration or disfigurement of the liner, although claimed
subject matter is not so limited. Additionally, although referred
to as a cover, it is desirable to note that a cover formed in
accordance with at least one embodiment may not necessarily cover
an entire child seat, for example, but may in some embodiments
cover only portions of the child seat, such as by draping over
and/or conforming to portions of a seat, for example. However, a
cover such as described above may be better understood with
reference to the figures, below.
[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a bottom plan
view of a cover 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
Cover 100 may be fitted to cover and/or protect portions of a child
seat and/or liner. Although illustrated as having a generally
oblong shape, it is worthwhile to note that cover 100 may comprise
a variety of shapes and/or configurations, and the particular shape
and/or configuration may depend at least in part on the child seat
and/or child seats that the cover is shaped and/or fitted to
protect, for example. Additionally, cover 100 may be formed from
one or more materials, including terrycloth, cotton, polyester,
plastic, vinyl, microfiber, and/or combinations or blends of
materials, such as blends of synthetic and/or natural materials,
such as a combination of cotton and polyester, for example,
although claimed subject matter is not so limited. Cover 100 may be
comprised of one or more materials suitable for use as cover
material, and may include materials having one, any all or none of
the following properties: washable, at least partially flexible,
absorbent, waterproof and/or hypo-allergenic, as just a few
examples. Additionally, numerous combinations of materials may be
utilized in at least one embodiment, such as a combination of
absorbent and/or waterproof materials, including terrycloth in
combination with plastic, for example, and/or one or more materials
may have decorative colors and/or patterns, although, again,
claimed subject matter is not so limited. Cover 100 may include
securing portions 102, which may additionally be referred to as
fitting portions. Securing portions 102, in this particular
embodiment, are illustrated as a plurality of elastic portions
coupled to the cover. However, claimed subject matter is not so
limited, as will be explained in more detail later. Securing
portions 102 may provide particular functionality such as providing
the capability of the cover to conform to portions of a seating
device, such that the cover is fitted to portions of the seating
device, for example. The securing portions 102 may alternatively
comprise a portion of elastic material. The portion of elastic
material may be formed along a substantial portion of the periphery
of the cover, such as by being sewn into a portion of the cover, as
just an example.
[0012] Cover 100 may have one or more holes and/or slots 104 formed
therein. For example, in this embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a
plurality of slots 104 may be formed in the cover, and the slots
104 may allow one or more harness straps to pass through the cover,
such as if implemented as a cover for a child seat, wherein the
child seat has one or more harness straps, for example. The one or
more harness straps may comprise portions of a five-point harness,
for example. Although illustrated as five slots that may be
configured to allow the harness straps for a five-point harness to
pass through the cover, it is worthwhile to note that claimed
subject matter is not limited in this respect, and alternative
configurations of slots, holes and/or other apparatuses in the
cover not illustrated may be in accordance with at least one
embodiment. Additionally, no slots and/or holes may be formed in a
cover. Cover 100 may, in at least one embodiment, comprise
expansion portions 106. Expansion portions 106 may comprise cuts
and/or folds, for example, and may be configured to allow the slot
104 to expand and/or open such as to allow a post to pass through.
For example, cover 100 may be implemented as a cover for a high
chair. A high chair, in at least one embodiment, may include a
post. The post may be utilized to provide securing functions for a
child in the high chair, and/or may be utilized to allow a tray
(not shown) to be coupled to portions of the chair and/or post, for
example. The post may pass though cover 100, such as by expanding
slot 104 by use of expansion portions 106. However, this embodiment
may be better understood with reference to FIG. 2, below.
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a perspective
view of a cover 110 coupled to a seating device, illustrated as a
child seat 112, although, as stated previously, claimed subject
matter is not so limited. Seating device 112 may comprise a high
chair, and may include a post 126 and a tray (not shown), and may
additionally include legs 124, for example, although this is just
an example and the claimed subject matter is not so limited. In
this embodiment, cover 110 may be fitted to provide covering and/or
protection for a substantial portion of seating surface 114 of the
child seat 112, and may additionally be fitted to cover other
portions of seat 112, such as the back and/or bottom of seat 112,
including behind the seating surface 114 to at least partially
secure cover 110 to seat 112. Cover 110, here, includes securing
portions 116, which may comprise elastic, drawstring, or one or
more other securing components, but the clamed subject matter is
not so limited. Securing portions 116 may be configured to provide
fitting of the cover 110 to seat 112, and may, when implemented to
secure cover 110 to seat 112, result in portions of cover 110
conforming to portions of seat 112, for example. Additionally, in
this embodiment, cover 110 has one or more slots 118 formed
therein, which may provide the capability to pass one or more
harness straps 120 through the cover. Harness straps 120 may
comprise portions of a five-point harness, in at least one
embodiment. Cover 100 may additionally include expansion portions
122. Expansion portions 122 may comprise cuts and/or folds, for
example, and may provide expansion capabilities for one or more
slots 118. This may allow for a post 126 to pass through one or
more slots 118, such as illustrated, although claimed subject
matter is not so limited, and one or more other slot and/or
expansion portion configurations may vary from the configuration as
illustrated in FIG. 2, and numerous other configurations are
included within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Cover 100
may have one or more strap cover portions 128. Strap cover portions
128 may comprise flaps configured to providing covering functions,
such as by covering portions of harness straps 120 when the cover
110 is implemented as a cover for a seating device having harness
straps. Strap cover portions 128 may be formed from the same
material(s) used to form cover 110, for example, or may comprise
differing material. Additionally, although not illustrated, strap
cover portions may include securing portions to provide securing
functions between the strap cover portions and one or more straps,
for example. Additionally, it is worthwhile to note that a cover
within the scope of the claimed subject matter may not cover a
child seat in the same manner as illustrated. For example, subject
matter in an alternative embodiment may be configured to protect
portions of a seating surface, and/or may be configured to protect
a liner and/or pad (not shown) that may be coupled to a seating
surface, for example.
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, there are illustrated a
plurality of covers 132 and 134, which may have differing
configurations, such as by having differing securing components 136
and 138, respectively. Illustrated in FIG. 3a is cover 132. Cover
132, for example, may be fitted to protect at least a portion of a
child seat (not shown), and may include securing or fitting
portions, which in this embodiment comprise a plurality of snaps
136. Snaps 136 may be capable of snapping to a child seat and/or to
one another, such as to secure the cover 132 to a child seat, which
may result in portions of the cover conforming to portions of a
child seat. Illustrated in FIG. 3b is cover 134. Cover 134 may
additionally be fitted to protect at least a portion of a child
seat (not shown), and may include securing or fitting portions 138.
Securing or fitting portions 138, in this embodiment, may include a
plurality of Velcro.RTM. portions 138, which may be capable of
securing to a child seat and/or to one another, such as to secure
the cover 134 to a child seat, which may result in portions of the
cover conforming to portions of a child seat, for example.
Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, there are illustrated a plurality
of covers 140 and 144, which may have differing configurations,
such as by having differing securing components 146 and 148,
respectively. Illustrated in FIG. 4a is cover 140. Cover 140 may be
fitted to protect at least a portion of a child seat (not shown),
and may include securing or fitting portions 146. Securing or
fitting portions 146, in this embodiment, may comprise a draw
string 146, which may be coupled to the cover 140, and may be
utilized to secure the cover 140 to a child seat, which may result
in portions of the cover conforming to portions of a child seat,
for example, such as by being drawn if the cover is fitted over a
seating device. Illustrated in FIG. 4b is cover 144. Cover 144 may
be fitted to protect at least a portion of a child seat (not
shown), and may include securing or fitting portions 148. Securing
or fitting portions 148, in this embodiment, may comprise one or
more elastic portions 148, which may be coupled to the cover 144,
and may be utilized to secure the cover 144 to a child seat, for
example, such as by stretching to result in fitting the cover over
a seating device or resulting in the cover conforming to portions
of the child seat. However, although numerous differing securing
components and/or portions may be illustrated and described herein,
it is desirable to note that the claimed subject matter is not so
limited, and a cover formed in accordance with at least one
embodiment may comprise differing securing components, including
for example buttons, clips, Velcro.RTM., elastic, drawstrings, or
may not include securing components, for example.
[0015] It is, of course, now appreciated, based at least in part on
the foregoing disclosure, that although particular embodiments have
just been described, claimed subject matter is not limited in scope
to a particular embodiment or implementation. For example, a cover
formed in accordance with one or more of the foregoing embodiments
may be suited to at least partially cover a seating device, as
previously described. Additionally, in the preceding description,
various aspects of claimed subject matter have been described. For
purposes of explanation, specific materials and/or configurations
were set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed
subject matter. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure that claimed subject
matter may be practiced without the specific details. In other
instances, well-known features were omitted and/or simplified so as
not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have
been illustrated and/or described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes and/or equivalents will now occur to those
skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the
appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and/or
changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject
matter.
* * * * *