U.S. patent application number 12/218015 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for baby comforter.
Invention is credited to Gayle Lavin, Belva Williams.
Application Number | 20090013473 12/218015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40251898 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090013473 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Belva ; et
al. |
January 15, 2009 |
Baby comforter
Abstract
An apparatus and associated method for comforting a baby by
providing a simulation of being held by a caregiver, such as a
parent, family member, or guardian. The simulation includes a pair
of simulated arms that may be wrapped around the baby or used to
provide a surrounding support having the feel of being held in a
person's arms. One embodiment includes a sheepskin or faux sheep
skin base for warmth and comfort. The arms may include weighted
hands for additional feeling of being held. The arms may be affixed
to one another in the front (hand, wrist, forearm area) using hook
and loop, stretchable band or straps or other fasteners. The arms
may also be joined in the back to provide a raised support opposite
the hands portion of the apparatus. One embodiment includes a
simulated beating heart.
Inventors: |
Williams; Belva;
(Huntsville, AL) ; Lavin; Gayle; (Huntsville,
AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Belva Williams
5201 Riverview Dr.
Huntsville
AL
35803
US
|
Family ID: |
40251898 |
Appl. No.: |
12/218015 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60959141 |
Jul 11, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/655 |
International
Class: |
A47C 16/00 20060101
A47C016/00 |
Claims
1. A baby-comforting device for use to cradle, encircle, embrace,
and cuddle a reclining infant, said device comprising: two arm
structures and a back structure, each arm structure including a
hand structure on one end of each said arm structure, said two arm
structures and said back structure capable of being joined end to
end to form a comforter simulating the arms, hands, and portion of
the torso of a human which would be in contact with said reclining
infant while holding said reclining infant in said human's arms;
said comforter comprising soft cover material and soft stuffing
material; said comforter further comprising detachable attachments
at the hand or forearm of each arm to allow the comforter to form a
continuous connected ring to encircle and secure said reclining
infant.
2. The baby-comforting device of claim 1, further including a base
of soft material attached to said back portion for placing
underneath said reclining infant.
3. The baby-comforting device of claim 2, wherein said base is made
of faux or real sheepskin.
4. The baby-comforting device of claim 1, wherein said hand
structure is shaped as a mitten.
5. The baby-comforting device of claim 1, wherein said hand
structure is shaped as a glove.
6. The baby-comforting device of claim 1, wherein said hand
includes a hand pocket.
7. The baby comforting device of claim 6, further including a
removable weighted structure in said hand pocket for providing the
weighted feel of a human hand.
8. The baby comforting device of claim 7, wherein the weighted
structure is a bean bag.
9. The baby comforting device of claim 7, wherein the weighted
structure is 0.25 to 3 kilograms.
10. The baby comforting-device of claim 1, wherein said arm
includes an arm pocket.
11. The baby comforting device of claim 10, further including a
mechanical device within said arm pocket for simulating a human
heart beat.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under USC 119(e) of
provisional application 60/959,141, filed Jul. 11, 2007 by Williams
et al, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains generally to the field of
baby care and more particularly to the field of baby
comforting.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the busy world of today, there is a definite need to give
parents the tools to provide their babies with a greater sense of
security and contentment. With busy schedules and family demands
taking a toll on the parent or caregiver's time, the baby often
lies in a crib or bed, separated from the caregiver. The separation
may create a level of anxiety and restlessness in the baby,
resulting in discomfort and crying on the part of the baby and
anxiety and fatigue on the part of the parent or caregiver. Studies
establish the need of babies to be cuddled and nurtured. A baby's
sense of contentment is enhanced when securely being held within a
familiar environment.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a device or method to satisfy
the baby's need to be held while the caregiver attends to other
tasks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Briefly, the present invention is an apparatus and
associated method for comforting a baby by providing a simulation
of being held by a caregiver, such as a parent, family member, or
guardian. The simulation includes a pair of simulated arms that may
be wrapped around the baby or used to provide a surrounding support
having the feel of being held in a person's arms. One embodiment
includes a sheepskin or faux sheep skin base for warmth and
comfort. The arms may include weighted hands for additional feeling
of being held. The arms may be affixed to one another in the front
(hand, wrist, forearm area) using hook and loop or straps, flexible
bands or other fasteners. The arms may also be joined in the back
to provide a raised support opposite the hands portion of the
apparatus. One embodiment includes a simulated beating heart.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1 is a drawing of the simulated arms, including hands,
with the arms joined in the back.
[0007] FIG. 2A is a drawing of the simulated arms of FIG. 1,
including a sheepskin base draped over the joined part of the arms
in the back and under the forearm and hand portion of the arms in
the front.
[0008] FIG. 2B is a drawing of the arms and sheepskin of FIG. 2A
with the fore arms banded together.
[0009] FIG. 2C shows the sheepskin and backing with a pouch for the
simulated heartbeat device.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a drawing of an accessory bag to hold the arms and
sheep skin.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross section drawing of the simulated arms of
FIG. 2 with the sheepskin placed on a surface for illustrational
purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The present invention is an apparatus and associated method
for comforting a baby by providing a simulation of being held by a
caregiver.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a drawing of the simulated arms 100, including
hands 107, with the arms joined in the back 109. Referring to FIG.
1, an arm assembly 100 comprises a right hand portion 107a, left
hand portion 107b, right forearm portion 108a, left forearm portion
108b, and back portion 109. The arm assembly 100 may be supplied as
a separate right 101a and left 101b arm or as a joined assembly
100. The hand portions 107a, 107b include weights 102a, 102b, which
may be a beanbag or other weighted object. The weights may be any
desired weight, for example 0.25 to 3 kilograms. The hand portions
include a pouch 110a, 110b for receiving the weight. The pouch may
be closed with a fastener such as hook and loop, zipper, buttons or
other closure. As shown the hand 107 is formed in mitten shape.
Other shapes including glove with fingers or pad without fingers
are possible. The weight 102 is removable to simplify laundering
the arms and allow weights that may be damaged by soaking in water
(such as a beanbag). Bands or straps 111a and 111b may be provided
to secure the forearms together to form a cradle for the baby.
[0014] FIG. 2A is a drawing of the simulated arms of FIG. 1,
including a sheepskin base 103 draped over the joined part of the
arms in the back and under the forearm and hand portion of the arms
in the front. The sheepskin 103 or faux sheepskin is both soft and
warm providing a natural base that is itself comforting to a baby.
The sheepskin is draped over the back portion 109 to provide
support on one side of the baby while the arms 101 provide support
on the other side of the baby. The left arm 101b (to the right of
the page) is shown draped over the top of the baby to provide
further sense of being held by the caregiver. The arms in FIG. 2A
are draped across the baby using the weights to secure the position
of the arms. The sheepskin 103 may be fastened to the arms 101 or
may be simply draped across the arms 101. A heartbeat device 104c
is shown in a pocket 110c attached to the sheepskin backing 404.
The heartbeat device 104a, 104b is also (and alternatively) shown
within the pouches 110a 110b in the hands 107a 107b.
[0015] FIG. 2B is a drawing of the arms and sheepskin of FIG. 2A
with the fore arms secured together. The arms may be joined in the
front by hook and loop, straps, buttons or other fasteners. Straps
or bands 111a and 111b may be used to strap the forearms together
to form a cradle for the baby.
[0016] FIG. 2C shows the sheepskin and backing with a pouch for the
simulated heartbeat device.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a drawing of an accessory bag 105 to hold the arms
101 and sheep skin 103.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross section drawing of the simulated arms of
FIG. 2 with the sheepskin placed on a flat surface. The arm
assembly is designed to lay flat as on a sofa, crib, bed, the floor
or other level surface. The arm assembly surrounds the baby with
gentle confinement to keep the baby held safely in position. The
baby may preferably be held laterally as shown (head to toe from
side to side in the arms). As the baby grows, the baby may find
other positions comfortable. The baby, as a toddler, may continue
to find comfort with the arms and/or sheepskin and may regard the
sheepskin as a security blanket or teddy bear.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, the back portion of the arms 109,
comprising the arm cover material 405 and arm fill material 406,
lies directly on the surface 401. The sheepskin, comprising the
backing or hide portion 404 and the fur portion 403, lies on top of
the back portion. The arms, right forearm 108a and left forearm
108b, are shown above the sheepskin fur 403. The region 402 for the
baby is shown between the forearms and the sheepskin as the
sheepskin drapes across the back portion 405. In one embodiment, an
optional simulated heartbeat 104c may be provided. A battery
powered heartbeat device 104c is located in a pocket 110c attached
to the sheepskin backing 404, but may be located with the arms 101
in pockets 110a and 110b (see FIG. 1).
[0020] The present invention aids parents/caregivers in providing a
comforting, nurturing environment for their babies. The simulated
arms provide a gentle embrace for baby thus creating the sensation
of being held.
[0021] The arms are much like the caregiver's arms. While the ideal
place for a baby is in the caregiver's arms, the invention promotes
the same soft, warm, and sensory environment. The temperature,
texture, and heartbeat all simulate the caregiver's presence. The
weighted hands in the apparatus provide the human touch.
[0022] Babies easily transition from one location to another by
bringing their "environment" with them. The feel of the arms
comforts sleeping babies. When traveling, a baby can sleep without
any disruption due to the changing of its cradling environs. The
arms comfort the baby when visiting away from home. The arms design
is easily and compactly stored in its travel bag. Away from home,
simply cradle baby in the arms and baby has his/her familiar
surroundings anywhere.
[0023] The baby is safer in the arms as the caregiver attends to
needs of an older child or does household tasks. Rather than being
carried along by the caregiver as he/she multitasks, and thus
endangering the baby, the infant rests safely in the arms giving
the caregiver freedom to tend to other needs as they arise.
[0024] The arms promote physical and emotional health and happiness
of the child. Babies love the soft feel and comfort of the
sheepskin base. British studies have shown babies raised on
sheepskin, the soft base of the arms, enjoy quicker weight gain and
better health than those without.
[0025] The arms give the caregiver peace of mind knowing that their
baby is content, secure, and happy resting in their own unique
environment. And the baby enjoys the cuddling position of the
invention that gives baby that reassuring presence of his/her
caregiver.
Description of Product
[0026] The arms are a simulation of the caregiver's arms. The arms
design is composed of two continuous arms made of a soft, flexible
material that cradles the baby on a soft blanket base. Fill
Materials are non-allergenic. Weights at the end of the arms
produce the feel of a caregiver's touch. Both hands can contain
pockets that hold removable objects. The weight of the object can
be exchanged to increase the amount with the age and size of the
infant. A battery powered heart located in a pocket provides a
soothing heartbeat.
[0027] The arms have a bag for storing and traveling.
[0028] The two arm pieces are connected at the shoulder and are
substantially cylindrical with a slightly graduated circumference
that resembles human arms.
Exemplary dimensions of arms are as follows:
[0029] Length of arms outstretched is approximately 70''
[0030] Width of arms varies from 12'' down to 7''
[0031] Blanket base is approximately 30'' by 20''
[0032] Travel bag is 20''.times.20'', zippered, durable, and light
weight
[0033] The arms are constructed of materials contain non-allergenic
stuffing. The exterior can be cleaned with a damp cloth. The
sheepskin can be machine washed on the gentle cycle.
Embodiment of Product
[0034] The following provides a description of a particular
preferred embodiment. The dimensions may be varied as desired.
TABLE-US-00001 Dimensions: Length of arms outstretched is
approximately 70'' Width of arms varies from 12'' down to 7''
Blanket base is approximately 30'' by 20'' Arms: faux
sheepskin/real sheepskin (101) Continuous arm (or may be 2 arms
connected) Has weighted hands, mitts, or arm ends (contains a
removable bean bag-type weight (102) or a battery operated
simulated heartbeat (104) in a hook and loop, zipper, button, or
other fastener secured pocket in the hand) (107) Located near the
wrist on each arm is a moveable band (111a, 111b) of hook and loop,
elastic or other type fastener to secure the arms together to hold
the baby Can be cleaned with a damp cloth Stuffed with
non-allergenic stuffing Base: Soft, natural sheepskin (real/faux)
(103) Machine washable on the gentle cycle Size approximately 30''
.times. 20'' Heart: 3''-5'' battery operated device simulating
human heartbeat (104)
[0035] The heart may be placed in a pocket (110c) in the sheepskin,
in the arms, or may be placed in the pocket for the weight in the
hand (110a and 110b)
Travel bag: 20''.times.20'', zippered, durable, and lightweight
(105) Optional: Swaddling lightweight blanket (106)
[0036] The attached drawing illustrates the components of the
preferred embodiment of the invention. The back of the invention is
formed where the arms attach and the sheepskin lies over the arms.
A cradling effect is created simulating human arms surrounding the
baby.
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