U.S. patent application number 11/565842 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for nursing cover anchoring system.
Invention is credited to Cema Melissa Gates.
Application Number | 20070151000 11/565842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38123363 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gates; Cema Melissa |
July 5, 2007 |
Nursing Cover Anchoring System
Abstract
A novel anchored nursing cover system is provided. The system
comprises a cover, and an anchoring member adapted for attachment,
e.g., removable attachment, to a portion, e.g., an end, of the
cover. The anchoring member may be configured for removable
engagement with a bra strap or other article of clothing worn by a
nursing mother to secure a portion of the cover under or to the
strap or to another article of clothing of the nursing mother
during nursing.
Inventors: |
Gates; Cema Melissa; (Manor,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.;PATENT DEPARTMENT
98 SAN JACINTO BLVD., SUITE 1500
AUSTIN
TX
78701-4039
US
|
Family ID: |
38123363 |
Appl. No.: |
11/565842 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60741925 |
Dec 2, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 19/00 20130101;
A44B 99/00 20130101; A44B 6/00 20130101; A41D 1/215 20180101; A41F
15/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/336 |
International
Class: |
A41F 19/00 20060101
A41F019/00 |
Claims
1. An anchored nursing cover system comprising: a cover, and an
anchoring member removably attached to a portion of the cover,
wherein the anchoring member is further configured for removable
engagement with a bra strap, or other article of clothing worn by a
nursing mother, to secure a portion of the cover under or to the
strap or to another article of clothing of the nursing mother
during nursing.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a scarf.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is comprised of
a square piece of fabric or material and measures at least about 34
inches in length and about 34 inches in width.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member
comprises a cord lock.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member
comprises a ball.
6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member
comprises a buckle ball.
7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member
comprises a ring.
8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member
comprises a hinged clasp.
9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the ring has a shape
selected from the group of shapes consisting of a heart shapes,
oval shapes, four leaf clover shapes, and flower shapes.
10. A system according to claim 5, wherein the anchoring member is
pearl colored.
11. An anchored nursing cover system comprising: a cover, and an
anchor attached to the cover, the anchor selected from the group of
anchors consisting of a ring, a ball, and a cord lock, the
combination of the anchor and the attached cover suitable for
removable engagement with a bra strap to secure a portion of the
cover under the bra strap.
12. The system of according to claim 11, wherein the anchor
comprises a ring.
13. The system of according to claim 11, wherein the anchor
comprises a ball.
14. The system of according to claim 11, wherein the anchor
comprises a spring-loaded cord lock.
15. An anchored nursing cover system comprising: a cover, and an
anchor attached to the cover, the anchor selected from the group of
anchors consisting of a clasp, and a hinged clasp, the anchor
adapted for removable engagement with a bra strap or other article
of clothing of a nursing mother to secure a portion of the cover to
the strap or the other article of clothing.
16. A method for the assembly of an anchored nursing cover, the
method comprising providing a cover, providing an anchor, the
anchor selected from the group of anchors consisting of rings,
balls, and cord locks, attaching the anchor to a small portion of
the cover wherein the combination of the anchor and the portion of
the cover are suitable for removable engagement of a portion of the
cover under a bra strap of a nursing mother.
17. A nursing cover anchor, said anchor adapted for attachment to a
cover and having a diameter of at least about 1 and 1/4 inch, a
thickness of at least about 3/8 inch, and a center opening with a
diameter of at least about 5/16 inch.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/741,925 filed Dec.2, 2005 and entitled "Nursing
Cover Anchoring System."
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to nursing covers, nursing
cover systems, methods of anchoring nursing covers, and methods of
assembling and manufacturing nursing cover anchoring systems. In
addition, the present invention is directed to nursing cover
anchors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traditionally, nursing mothers have used a variety of
nursing covers in an attempt to obtain some privacy while breast
feeding in public forums. Some mothers have used basic, flat,
rectangular infant blankets as nursing covers. These basic
rectangular blankets are simply thrown over the shoulder and baby
without attaching in any manner to the nursing mother or infant and
thus, are very susceptible to falling off and do not stay in place.
As a result, the breast of a nursing mother may be undesirably
revealed and privacy is not achieved.
[0004] Over the years, various nursing clothing systems have been
proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,754 discloses a nursing
scarf of trapezoidal shape to be worn about the neck of a nursing
mother over her primary articles of clothing which allegedly
provides complete privacy from the public eye throughout the
nursing process by shielding the mother's breast and midriff, while
still affording eye contact between mother and infant by means of a
pleating system which creates an opening or window at the top of
the scarf.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,251 discloses a nursing mother's garment
comprised of a shoulder apparatus known as a shoulder bib and an
attachable blanket-type draping known hereafter as a blanket, which
provides concealment of the wearer's upper body and the baby's head
and upper body, while providing fresh air flow to the baby and
viewing of the nursing process by the mother only. For nursing, the
shoulder bib is placed on the wearer's shoulder with the blanket
attached to it by a plurality of fasteners. The blanket attaches to
the lower edge of the front portion of the shoulder bib and extends
from directly above the wearer's breast downwardly past the
wearer's waistline and laterally from beyond the wearer's arm
nearest the shoulder bib across the wearer's breast beyond her
mid-chest. The blanket forms a lightweight, loose-fitting, drape
across the wearer's front torso which permits a child to nurse in
complete comfort, while concealing the mother's breast.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,172 discloses a nursing blanket for use
by a nursing mother to shield her breast from public view while
feeding her infant. The blanket comprises a square of woven cloth
with an elastic, garter-like loop affixed near one corner of the
cloth. In use, the mother inserts her arm through the loop and
pulls the loop up over the point of the shoulder thereby disposing
the cloth down the length of the arm. The patent states that the
mother then cradles the infant in the same arm and drapes a portion
of the cloth over most of her chest including her breast and over
the infant's head and upper body. She can then reach under the
cloth to bare her breast and offer it to the infant. In this way,
the patent asserts she effectively screens her breast from view and
is able to discretely nurse in public.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,268 discloses a nursing privacy shield
for concealing a mother's breast region while nursing her child in
public. This nursing privacy shield includes a hooklike member with
a first curved portion that fits over the mother's shoulder and a
second elongated portion that extends downward over the mother's
upper chest area. The shield also has a drape for concealing the
mother's upper front chest area and a frame for supporting the
drape in front of the nursing mother's upper front chest area so
that the nursing baby's head may be disposed between the drape and
the nursing mother's chest area. The second elongated portion of
the hooklike member is pivotally attached to the frame so that they
may be moved relative to each other.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,960 discloses a nursing garment having a
close-knit upper portion which lies over the shoulder of the
nursing mother, which extends down into an expanded, open-knit
lower portion which covers the breast and at least part of the baby
while nursing, so that the upper portion may be used for burping
the baby, and the lower portion is sufficiently opaque to provide
privacy to the mother, yet adequately open to allow sufficient
ventilation for the baby. In one embodiment, the garment is
provided with two sides to cover both breasts, and in another
embodiment, a single side is covered, in which embodiment the upper
edge of the upper edge of the upper, close-knit portion is weighted
to securely maintain the garment in place over the mother's
shoulder.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,411 discloses a breast-feeding garment
that includes a cover and a pliable shoulder clip attachable to the
cover for giving the cover stability. The shoulder clip includes a
back shoulder engaging portion connected to a front shoulder
engaging portion by an internal deformable wire. The
triangularly-shaped cloth cover includes a firm, soft extension pad
in one corner which helps to spread the cover. Hook and loop
fastening means are employed to attach the front shoulder engaging
portion of the shoulder clip to the soft extension pad of the
cover. The cover is formed from a see-through, breathable fabric
but includes an opaque privacy portion near the center for
concealing the breast-feeding child. When not in use, the patent
states the garment folds up and fits neatly into a carrying bag
which can be tied to a stroller, diaper bag, purse or the like.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,090 provides a blanket which can
function not only as a blanket for keeping warm, but also as a
blanket to provide privacy for a nursing mother to breast feed her
baby in public and also as a sun shade and wind shade. The blanket
has a periphery and an inner portion, and also a contracting
structure for contracting the inner portion to form a hood means
when contracted, the contracting means being spaced inwardly from
the periphery. A margin extends between the contracting means and
the periphery and is adapted to form gathers or folds extending
from and around the hood means when the contracting means is
contracted. The hood means receives the baby's head, and usually
most of the baby's torso. The patent states the gathers stiffen the
margin of the blanket to be essentially self-supporting when
extending from the hood means for leaning against the mother's
upper body.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,085 discloses a nursing shield for
mothers who wish to nurse an infant discreetly or camouflage the
act of nursing in a public setting. In a preferred embodiment, the
patent teaches a nursing shield comprising a stiff yet flexible
padded and covered panel which attaches to the back side of either
the left or right forearm of a nursing mother and stands outward
therefrom during use. Left hand and right hand finger-loops are
provided to enable a nursing mother to flex the nursing shield with
either hand for the purpose of increasing privacy. The inner side
of the forearm attached to the nursing shield is free to directly
contact the infant, and the mother's remaining arm and hand are
free to prepare for nursing, make changes or adjustments during
nursing, and generally comfort the infant. The nursing shield is
washable and it may be folded for alternate use as a clutch bag, or
laid flat on a supporting surface for use as a diaper changing
pad.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,068 discloses a nursing cover for use by
a mother in nursing an infant. The cover is formed of a fabric
material provided with a pair of horizontal pockets or slits which
allow easy access to the infant for feeding along with improved
viewing of the infant by the mother. Improved ventilation for the
infant is also provided even while covered. Additional features
include an elastic neckline and improved closure for the ends of
the cover.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,762 discloses a nursing shawl having a
crinoline portion, a tail portion and a securing means. The patent
states the crinoline is self-supporting due to a plurality of
pleats formed therein. The pleats are stated to allow the crinoline
to fold down into a compact stack of material which is easily
stored in a purse or pocket. One end of the crinoline is sewn
together preventing the pleats from separating while the other end
is openable, thereby allowing it to be opened up like a paper fan.
The sewn end is also sewn to a weighted tail that holds the shawl
in place over a women's shoulder while in use. The shawl provides a
tent-like structure under which a baby can be discretely nursed in
a public location.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,582 discloses a breast feeding cover
that covers a mother and her baby and has a viewing window so that
mother can see the baby nursing (feeding) but no one else can. The
breast feeding cover fits over one shoulder and attaches around the
mother's neck. A small semi-circular viewing window protrudes
outward from the front panel of the breast feeding cover just above
the breast so that the mother can see the baby nursing while the
rest of the baby is covered. The breast feeding cover is reversed
when the mother is nursing the baby on the opposite side. The
viewing window is created from a stiff ribbon to ensure the pocket
juts out adequately to allow the mother to view the baby. The
viewing window is also reversed by pushing the stiff ribbon to the
opposite side of the breast feeding cover.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,662 discloses a privacy covering for
nursing mothers in which an arcuately curved, resiliently flexible
flat strip is hemmed into a central portion of the upper edge of a
blanket or sheet type covering. A neck strap is attached to the
upper edge of the covering adjacent one end of the strip and
carries one-half of hook and loop self-adhering detachable closure
(i.e., a VELCRO.RTM. closure) for securement with the other half of
self-adhering detachable closure which is attached to the covering
adjacent the opposite end of the strip. The rectangular cross
section of the strip shape has sufficient inherent rigidity to
prevent flexing thereof in the plane of the covering material,
i.e., vertical sagging, and to hold the top edge of the covering
outwardly bowed in a direction normal to the plane of the covering
material i.e., in a generally horizontal direction, when worn about
a nursing mother's neck. In this way, a one size fits all covering
can be produced, which can be comfortably worn and easily put on
and taken off; yet, the covering possesses an excellent screening
capacity for any size person while still providing ample
ventilation for the child and an excellent view of the child for
the mother.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,474 discloses a drape for nursing and so
forth may have a flat member having opposing ends, for lying over a
shoulder and to cover a breast and baby of a nursing mother, with
the member containing weights about the opposing ends. Another
drape for nursing and so forth has a flat member generally in the
shape of a semicircle, for lying over a shoulder and to cover a
breast and baby of a nursing mother, which has an arc-like recess
to accommodate the neck of the mother. A further drape for nursing
and so forth has a flat member with two elongate members attached
thereto, with the elongate members containing weights at distal
ends thereof, wherein the flat member is to cover at least the
upper chest area of a wearer with said elongate members lying over
the shoulders of the wearer. The drape is generally made of a soft
material, and is useful not only for mothers who would nurse their
infants in public but also may find utility as an apron or bib for
hospital, nursing home or kitchen use.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,171 discloses a device, a nursing
cover-up, that allows a nursing mother to breast feed her child in
public without fear of exposing herself to others, but allows
herself to view the child during the feeding. The nursing cover-up
is a piece of fabric attached to the front of the mother's clothing
by clips, clamps, or fasteners or by optional neck strap. The
nursing cover-up has a flexible shapeable coated wire sewn into the
upper edge of the nursing cover-up that provides support to the
nursing cover-up allowing the mother to shape or mold the edge of
the nursing cover-up outward; thus permitting her to see the child
throughout feeding while prohibiting others from seeing in. The
shield and slit opening provides access for the mother's hand to
the underside of the nursing cover-up permitting her to move or
manipulate her nipple as needed. A pocket is provided for storage.
This device can be produced in a one size fits all which is easy to
take on and off. It can be folded small enough to fit into a diaper
bag or purse. The fabric is light and the sides are open which
allows ample ventilation for the child.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,273 discloses a nursing blanket and
method for covering the torso, and exposed breast of a nursing
mother and the head of the feeding infant, to provide privacy and
coverage while breast-feeding. The blanket is comprised of a single
thickness fabric blanket, the main body or midsection of which is
an oval. The ends of the blanket are attached to a shoulder strap
on one end, and an arm sleeve on the opposing end. The shoulder
strap is comprised of a double thickness of stretchable knit
material which is sewn into a narrow strip and curved back on
itself to form a loop. This loop fits over the mother's hand and
slides up the arm, to be secured on her shoulder, opposite the
breast which will be used for nursing. The arm sleeve on the
opposing end of the blanket slides over the mothers remaining hand
and rests on the forearm. The infant's head rests on the arm which
is covered by the sleeve, and the blanket then comes up and over
the baby's head, and crosses his body. When the infant is
positioned on the mother's lap for nursing, the body of the blanket
covers the mother's torso, as well as the infant's head and the
majority of the infants body.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,274 discloses a nursing cover up that
includes a body cover having a size adapted for covering at least a
chest portion of a mother user and a hanging means for hanging the
body cover in front of the mother user. The body cover further
includes a peek-a-boo pocket which has a viewing opening formed on
a pocket panel that separates the pocket panel into an upper piece
and a lower piece. The peek-a-boo pocket includes a shield flap
which extends from a bottom portion of the upper piece of the
pocket panel to overlappingly position behind an upper portion of
the lower piece of the pocket panel for covering an upper portion
of a breast of the mother user, and a pocket lip formed at a top
edge of the upper portion of the lower piece, so as to define the
viewing opening between the shield flap and the pocket lip for the
mother user to monitor her baby therethrough while breastfeeding.
Accordingly, during breastfeeding, the nursing cover up can
effectively cover up the mother's breast from being seen by anyone
in all direction while maintaining good air ventilation for the
baby and enabling the mother herself to monitor the breastfeeding
of her baby through the peek-a-boo pocket, so that the mother may
feel comfortable to breastfeed her baby.
[0020] All of the heretofore known nursing covers have
shortcomings. Consequently, there is a need for a nursing cover
that is easy to assemble, easy to manufacture, easy to transport,
easy to adorn, fashionable and effective to provide privacy to
nursing mothers in public venues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention provides, according to one embodiment,
an anchored nursing cover system. The systems may comprise a cover
and an anchoring member attached, e.g., removably attached, to a
portion of the cover. The anchoring member may be further
configured for engagement, e.g., removable engagement, with a bra
strap, or other article of clothing worn by a nursing mother to
secure a portion of the cover under or to the strap or to another
article of clothing of a mother during nursing.
[0022] The cover may include a scarf, a piece of fabric, a square
piece of fabric or material, and/or a piece of material. The cover
may measure at least about 34 inches by about 34 inches.
[0023] The anchoring member may comprise a spring loaded cord lock,
a ball, a buckle ball, a ring, a clasp, e.g., a hinged clasp, or a
two headed clip, etc. All anchoring members of the present
invention are preferably of a size, dimension, and shape such that
they are not infant choking hazards.
[0024] The present invention, according to one embodiment, provides
an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover and an attached
anchor. The anchor is attached, e.g., removably attached, to a
portion, e.g., an end, of the cover. The anchor may be selected
from the group of anchors consisting of a ring, a ball, and a cord
lock. The combination of the anchor and the attached portion of the
cover may be suitable for removable engagement with a bra strap to
secure a portion of the cover under the bra strap.
[0025] The present invention, according to another embodiment,
provides an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover and an
attached anchor. The anchor may be selected from the group of
anchors consisting of a clasp, a hinged clasp, and a two-headed
clasp. The anchor may be adapted for removable engagement with a
bra strap or other article of clothing of a nursing mother to
secure a portion of the cover to the strap or the other article of
clothing.
[0026] The present invention, according to a further embodiment,
provides a method for the assembly of an anchored nursing cover.
The method may comprise providing a cover and providing an anchor.
The method further comprises attaching the anchor to a small
portion of the cover wherein the combination of the anchor and the
small portion of the cover are suitable, e.g., of suitable size and
shape, for removable engagement of a portion of the cover with a
bra strap, e.g., underneath the strap, of a nursing mother. The
providing an anchor step may include providing an anchor from the
group of anchors consisting of rings, balls, and cord locks.
[0027] According to yet another embodiment, the present invention
provides nursing cover anchor rings, balls, and cord locks. The
ring may have a diameter of at least about 1 and 1/4 inch, a
thickness of at least about 3/8 inch, and a center opening with a
diameter of at least about 5/16 inch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the nursing
cover anchoring system of the present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of anchoring members,
spring loaded cord locks, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an anchoring member, a ball or
sphere assembled with a cover, according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of anchoring members,
buckle balls, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0032] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are illustrations of anchoring
members, rings, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0033] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F are illustrations of
anchoring members, clasps, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0034] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F are illustrations of
anchoring members, clasps, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0035] The present invention provides, according to one embodiment,
an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover, and an
anchoring member (or anchor) adapted for attachment, e.g.,
removable attachment, to a portion of a cover, e.g., one end of the
cover. The anchoring member is configured for detachable engagement
with a bra strap, or other article of clothing, worn by a nursing
mother, and may be adapted to anchor or attach one end or a portion
of a cover under or to the strap, and/or other clothing of a
nursing mother, to help secure the cover and provide some privacy
during nursing.
[0036] The anchoring member or anchors of the present invention may
anchor and/or secure covers via various attachment methodologies
(see e.g., FIGS. 1-7), and is preferably , according to some
embodiments, configured and/or adapted to engage, e.g., slip under,
a bra strap of a nursing mother to anchor or attach a portion of
the cover under or to the strap and may secure the cover to provide
the desired privacy. The anchoring members and anchors of the
present invention, according to some embodiments, may attach
directly to the bra strap, e.g., utilizing a two headed clip
attaching to the cover via one side and attaching to the bra strap
via the other side. The present invention also provides, according
to an embodiment, a method for assembling an anchored nursing cover
system comprising a cover, and an anchoring member or anchor
adapted for removable attachment to a portion of the cover, e.g.,
one end of the cover. Note, while embodiments of the invention are
described as including removable anchors or anchoring members,
permanent anchoring members or anchors are also envisioned as part
of the present invention.
[0037] The cover useful in the practice of the present invention
may include a scarf, a piece of fabric, a square piece of fabric, a
piece of material, and/or a square piece of material. The material
and/or fabric may be of any size or shape that is suitable to
provide a nursing mother with the desired privacy during nursing in
a public venue. The cover may, e.g., measure at least about 34
inches by about 34 inches; however, as noted, other sizes and
shapes of fabrics and/or materials may be utilized as long as the
desired privacy is obtained. The material and/or fabric utilized as
the cover is preferably made out of all natural materials(e.g., a
cotton/silk blend or silk or cotton), preferably lightweight,
preferably machine washable, and, of course, preferably fashionable
since it will or may be displayed in public venues. However, other
materials and/or fabrics may be utilized as desired. Nursing
mothers may combine the anchoring members and anchors of the
present invention with their own covers, e.g., scarves, to obtain a
nursing cover system of the present invention. Advantageously,
embodiments of the present invention provide means for nursing
mothers to utilize fashionable scarves as anchored nursing covers
without the fear of damaging the scarf from or during anchor
attachment. For example, utilizing the ring anchors of the present
invention, and other anchors disclosed herein, the integrity of the
scarf is maintained. Holes in or through the scarf or cover
material are desirably avoided extending the life and condition of
the scarf for use again after nursing. While the avoidance of holes
in the scarf or cover is noted as an advantage of some embodiments
of the present invention, the present invention does not exclude
embodiments wherein holes may be formed in the covers or scarves
for attachment.
[0038] The anchoring members and anchors may, e.g., comprise a
spring loaded cord lock, a ball, a buckle ball, a ring, and/or a
clasp, e.g., a hinged clasp or two-headed clasp or clip. The spring
loaded ball cord lock (see FIG. 1) may include an opening of at
least about 1/4 inch by at least about 3/8 inch to allow a portion
of the cover to be pulled there through. The balls and buckle balls
anchors and anchoring members (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 4A and 4B)
may have diameters of at least about 11/4 inch. The buckle ball
anchors and anchoring members may comprise an opening having a
dimension of about 3/4 inch by about 1/2 inch with a toothed
grooved bar across the middle. The ring anchoring members and
anchors (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A-5D) may have a diameter of at least
about 1 and 1/4 inch, a thickness of at least about 3/8 inch, and a
center opening with a diameter of at least about 5/16 inch. The
ring anchors and anchoring members may be of any shape, e.g., they
may be in the shape of a heart, flowers, and/or a four leaf
clovers. The hinged clasp may have a diameter of at least about
11/4 inch and a thickness of at least about 3/8 inch. (See, e.g.,
FIGS. 6A-7F.) The hinged clasp may include clasps similar to
twixits and/or chip clips and clamshells preferably including
inside surfaces comprising soft gripping material, e.g., rubber or
rubber-like materials (similar to the rubber found on children's
socks) to grip the cover between the two opposing inside clam shell
surfaces. Preferably, the anchors and anchoring members of the
present invention are of at least a size and dimension such that
they are not infant choking hazards. For example, as noted above, a
clam shell diameter of 11/4 inches and 3/8 inch thick provides an
example of an anchor that is not an infant choking hazard.
[0039] The use of the example anchors and anchoring members in the
practice of an embodiment of the present invention is now
described. To assemble an embodiment of the present invention
utilizing the ball cord lock, e.g., a spring loaded cord lock,
anchoring member, one corner or end of a cover is slipped or pushed
into the cord lock and pulled through the opening while depressing
the push button. The cover is locked in place by releasing the
button after approximately 2 inches (or other suitable length) of
cover material has been pulled through the opening. The ball cord
lock is, as noted above, configured, e.g., is of such a size and
shape, to be preferably comfortably slipped under the bra strap of
a nursing mother. And preferably, after being slipped under the
strap, the anchoring members or anchors of the present invention
reside on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away
from the nursing mothers neck, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1. After
anchoring or engaging the cover to or with the strap, the larger
portion of the cover is preferably draped around the back of the
neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the
larger portion of the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder
down the front of the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant
and/or breast from public view as desired.
[0040] The assembly and use of another embodiment of the present
invention utilizing a ball anchor or anchoring system is now
described. A portion, e.g., a corner, of a cover may be wrapped
around or otherwise secured to a ball and, e.g., a self knot may be
made around the ball. The ball is of such a size and dimension,
e.g., configured such that when sufficient material is wrapped
around the ball and secured, e.g., knotted, the resulting size of
the secured/wrapped knotted ball preferably comfortably slips under
a bra strap of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that
the knotted/secured portion of the cover and anchor or anchoring
member reside on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder
away from the neck of the nursing mother. The larger portion of the
cover is preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing
mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of
the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of
the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from
public view as desired.
[0041] The assembly and use of a further embodiment of the present
invention utilizing a buckle ball anchor or anchoring system is now
described. One portion, e.g., corner of a cover may be threaded
into a top portion of a buckle, around, e.g., the middle bar of the
buckle ball, and back through the bottom portion of the buckle
part. The buckle ball may be of such a size and dimension, e.g.,
configured, such that when sufficient material is fed into and
through the buckle and secured, the resulting size of the ball/end
of cover combination preferably comfortably slips under a bra strap
of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that the buckled
portion of the cover resides on the outer side of the strap towards
the shoulder. The larger portion of the cover is preferably draped
around the back of the neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in
FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover to cascade over
the opposite shoulder down the front of the nursing mother to
shield and/or cover a nursing infant and/or breast from public view
as desired.
[0042] The assembly and use of a still further embodiment of the
present invention utilizing a ring anchor or anchoring system is
now described. One portion, e.g., a corner or end, of a cover,
e.g., approximately 3 inches (or other suitable length), may be
pulled through the center of a ring anchor or anchoring member and
secured, e.g., self knotted at the short end/portion of the cover,
or the cover may be pulled through the anchor ring or ring
anchoring member and secured, e.g., tied around the ring using the
remaining material. The anchor ring or ring anchoring member may be
of such a size and dimension, e.g., configured, such that when
sufficient cover material is fed into and through the anchor ring
or anchoring ring member and secured, the resulting size of the
ring anchor/cover combination preferably comfortably slips under a
bra strap of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that
the portion of the cover attached directly to the ring anchor
resides on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away
from the neck of the nursing mother. The larger portion of the
cover is preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing
mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of
the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of
the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from
public view as desired.
[0043] The assembly and use of yet another embodiment of the
present invention utilizing a clasp anchor or clam shell anchor or
anchoring system is now described. The clasp anchor or clamshell
anchor is opened and a portion of the cover is placed across the
open clasp anchor or clamshell anchor so that when the clasp anchor
or clam shell anchor is closed, preferably approximately 2 inches
(or other suitable length) of cover material resides on one side of
the closed clasp anchor or clam shell anchor and the remaining
majority of the cover material resides on the other side of the
clasp anchor or clam shell anchor. The clasp or clam shell anchor
may be of such a size and dimension, e.g., configured, such that
when sufficient material is fed into and secured, the resulting
size of the clasp anchor or clam shell anchor/cover combination
preferably comfortably slips under a bra strap of a nursing mother,
e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that the portion of the cover material
attached directly to the clasp or clam shell anchor resides on the
outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away from the neck of
the nursing mother. The larger portion of the cover may be
preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing mother,
e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover
material to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of
the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from
public view as desired.
[0044] While the present invention has been described in reference
to specific embodiments, it should be recognized that the present
invention and the appended claims should not be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art to be limited to the specific
embodiments described. Other obvious embodiments, while supported
but not expressly illustrated, are intended to be understood as
part of the present invention. For example, any means for securing
a nursing cover to an article of clothing of a nursing mother is
meant to be included in the present invention, for example, besides
the non-illustrated two headed clasp, a cover, e.g., a scarf, with
a button attached to one corner of the scarf for attachment to a
button hole of a nursing mother's blouse is also contemplated as
part of the present invention. And, as specifically noted, nursing
cover systems having anchors and anchor members permanently
attached to covers are also intended to be included as part of the
invention. Further, the formation of an anchor utilizing a knot of
the cover material of suitable size to slip under a bra strap and
to secure the nursing cover is also contemplated as part of the
invention.
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