U.S. patent application number 12/734522 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-14 for infant wrap including body padding.
Invention is credited to Robert W. Pitts.
Application Number | 20100257653 12/734522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40429147 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100257653 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pitts; Robert W. |
October 14, 2010 |
INFANT WRAP INCLUDING BODY PADDING
Abstract
A kite shaped infant wrap includes a padded central section for
supporting an infant and a padded head support roll. This kite
shaped infant wrap can include a primary restraint for securing the
infant's torso within the kite shaped wrap and a secondary
restraint for securing the blanket portion of the wrap around the
infant. Alternate versions of the primary restraint include a belt,
a seat belt and a vest. An adjustable hood can also permit the hood
to be drawn away from the infant's face. The infant wrap is
adjustable and can be folded in a manner so that the wrap is
suitable both for an infant of normal size and for a smaller
infant, such as a premature infant.
Inventors: |
Pitts; Robert W.;
(Winston-Slem, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT W PITTS
PO BOX 11483
WINSTON-SALEM
NC
27116-1483
US
|
Family ID: |
40429147 |
Appl. No.: |
12/734522 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 6, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/19394 |
371 Date: |
May 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69.5 |
International
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20060101
A41B013/06 |
Claims
1. An infant wrap for use in bunting or swaddling an infant
comprising: a central padded section flanked by a pair of wings,
more flexible than the central padded section, the central padded
section being dimensioned to support an infant; the wings being
foldable over the central padded section to cover the infant; and
fasteners to secure the wings around the infant.
2. The infant wrap of claim 1 including a lower section extending
below the central padded section, the lower section being foldable
upwardly over the infant, with the wings being foldable over the
lower section, when folded.
3. The infant wrap of claim 1 having a kite shape with a height
between top and bottom corners exceeding the width between opposite
side corners.
4. The infant wrap of claim 1 including a head support roll
positioned to prevent the infant from rolling its head to obstruct
the infant's breathing.
5. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein two fabric layers form the
wings and enclose batting to form the central padded section.
6. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein side edges of the central
padded section form straight edges about which the wings can be
folded.
7. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein a head support roll comprises
a strip of batting folded lengthwise to form a cylindrical member
and enclosed by two fabric layers.
8. The infant wrap of claim 7 wherein the head support roll is
joined to a section of batting forming the central padded
section.
9. The infant wrap of claim 8 wherein edges of the central padded
section are aligned with the head support roll to restrict folding
of the wings so that the wings will not obstruct the breathing of
an infant.
10. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein pockets are formed on the
lower section in which and infant's feet may be positioned.
11. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein a primary restraint is
attached to the central support section and the wings comprise a
secondary restraint so that the infant cannot wiggle relative to
the wings.
12. A kite shaped infant support wrap for use in bunting or
swaddling an infant, the kite shaped infant support wrap
comprising: a central padded section; a pair of triangular shaped
wings extending between side edges of the central padded section
and side corners; a triangular shaped lower section extending from
the wings and beneath the central padded section, the lower section
being foldable upwardly over an infant when positioned on the
central padded section with the wings being foldable over the lower
section, when folded, with side edges of the central padded section
forming edges about which the wings can be folded; wherein the
wings and the lower section are more flexible than the central
padded section.
13. The kite shaped infant wrap of claim 12 wherein a curved infant
head support roll extends around the periphery of the top corner of
the kite shaped infant wrap, the curved infant head support roll
extending laterally between side edges of the central padded
section so that the wings, when folded will not restrict the
infant's breathing.
14. An infant wrap comprising a blanket portion extending between
an upper corner and a lower corner with wings on opposite sides of
the blanket portion so that an infant can be positioned on the
blanket portion with the infant's head adjacent the upper corner
and the lower corner can be folded upward over the infant's torso
and the wings can be folded over and secured together to wrap and
bunt the infant within a folded and secured blanket portion,
characterized in that an infant restraint is attached to the
blanket portion between the upper and lower corners and between the
wings and positioned so that the infant restraint can be secured
around the infant to prevent the infant from twisting and turning
relative to the blanket portion so that the blanket portion will
not interfere with the infant's breathing.
15. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint is
attachable to and detachable from the blanket portion.
16. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint
comprises a belt having mutually detachable free ends so that the
belt can be secured around the infant's torso.
17. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint
comprises an upper portion configured to overlap the infant's torso
and a lower portion extendable between the infant's legs.
18. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein a padded panel extends from
the upper corner of the blanket portion, the padded panel being
thicker than the wings, which are foldable around the padded
panel.
19. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint
comprises the primary restraint preventing movement by the
infant.
20. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein a hood extends over the
upper corner of the infant wrap, and wherein the hood includes a
lower edge that can be folded upwardly and secured to the portion
of the hood above the hood lower edge to prevent the hood from
interfering with the infant's breathing.
21. An infant wrap comprising an inner primary restraint and an
outer secondary restraint for bunting an infant, the inner primary
restraint comprising means for preventing the infant from squirming
relative to the outer secondary restraint, the inner primary
restraint being attached to the outer secondary restraint, which is
foldable over the primary restraint and the infant secured therein
to retain warmth, the inner primary restraint being configured to
prevent the outer secondary restraint from interfering with the
infant's breathing.
22. An infant wrap for use in bunting or swaddling a premature
infant comprising: a central padded section flanked by a pair of
wings, more flexible than the central padded section, the central
padded section being dimensioned to support the entire body of the
premature infant; a lower section extending below the central
padded section for a sufficient length such that the lower section
is upwardly foldable over the body of a premature infant when
supported by the central padded section; and a portion of the lower
section is also reversely foldable between the central padded
section and a lower corner thereof to form a reversely folded lower
section to cover the premature infant's body without obstructing
the premature infant's face and breathing passages; the wings being
foldable over the central padded section and over the reversely
folded lower section to cover the premature infant; and fasteners
to secure the wings and the lower section over and around the
premature infant.
23. The infant wrap of claim 22 where a lower edge of the central
padded section forms a portion of a fold line about which the lower
section can be folded.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application is related to infant wraps or swaddling
blankets that can be used to bunt an infant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The current children's market worldwide provides a variety
of blanket and bath products to care for newborns through toddler
age children. The majority of these products are made either out of
some kind of terry or looped pile fabric in the bath products or
some kind of blanket/fleece material for the blanket products.
These materials world wide are available and plentiful. These
products are referred to as bed and bath products and they cover a
range of hooded towel and blanket designs and a range of bathrobe
designs with and without the hoods. This field would also encompass
sleepers.
[0003] For newborns and infants, one usually anticipates that they
will need at least one blanket to wrap the baby in for warmth and
at least one towel or hooded towel product for after bathing the
child. The shape of these products have consistently been
determined to be that of a rectangle or a square and these sizes
vary from manufacturer to manufacturer accordingly to whatever
materials they're using and whatever widths of fabrics they're
using to cut and design these products. The square and the
rectangle shape are considered economical in that the solid piece
or material cut on the square and rectangular pattern marker
require almost no loss of fabric in the manufacturing, hence no
loss of profit. Additionally, because of these shapes are of a
specific and consistent geometric design the angles of each
blankets and or bath wrap are at a ninety degrees. On many designs
a triangular piece of material overlaps and corresponds to one
corner of the blanket at a ninety degree angle on the rectangle or
square shape blanket, giving a hood design positioned at a ninety
degree angle for the purpose of receiving the baby's head. This
typical triangular piece of material located at a ninety degree
corner of the bed or bath material constitutes the cap or hood
designed to keep the baby's head either warm or to help dry it
after a bath. Because we are dealing with a ninety degree angle it
is necessary for the triangular piece hood material to be deep
enough and wide enough to fit the corner of the rectangle or square
piece of fabric. In order to fit the baby's head inside this double
ply of material, the triangular hood shape overlaps the
ninety-degree corner of the rectangular or square shape. A newborn
baby's head will fit further into the hood than is safe because
this configuration may interfere with breathing. Therefore the
mother or other caretaker must turn the hooded portion of the towel
or blanket backwards so that it does not cover the baby's eyes,
nose, or in any way make the baby uncomfortable. In cases where
just a blanket is provided for the baby, the consumer traditionally
tries to form it's own hood out of the way it swaddles the baby in
the blanket.
[0004] Other products have been proposed for use in wrapping,
swaddling or bunting an infant, especially a newborn. However,
these alternative products typically are much more complicated than
the simple rectangular hooded towels that dominate the market. For
instance, U.S. Design Pat. No. D448,142 shows an infant wrap that
appears to include a rounded cap or hood with an elastic border.
However, this cap does not appear to fit snugly around the infant's
head and would not appear to provide sufficient warmth. This design
also includes an arrow shaped configuration, which would not appear
to minimize scrap. U.S. Pat. No. 1,723,644 shows a generally square
infant wrap that employs a belt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,204 is another
example of an infant wrap that is more complicated than the
conventional hooded towel. This device includes integral booties as
part of the wrap and a scalloped hood. Although conceptually
interesting, designs of this type would be difficult and costly to
produce, and may not be suitable for use with toddlers or older
infants, because the hood and booties would most likely be sized
for newborns. Other designs, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No.
3,034,132; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,885; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,885; and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,340 also appear to involve intricate shapes,
which would not use material as economically as the conventional
hooded towels, but also may not be easy for the inexperienced
caregiver to use.
[0005] PCT Application PCT/US2004/041365 discloses a kite shaped
infant wrap, and the invention described herein includes a number
of improvements to that basic design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to this invention, an infant wrap for, use in
bunting or swaddling an infant includes a central padded section
flanked by a pair of wings, more flexible than the central padded
section. The central padded section is dimensioned to support an
infant. The wings are foldable over the central padded section to
cover the infant. The wrap includes fasteners to secure the wings
around the infant.
[0007] This kite shaped infant support wrap for use in bunting or
swaddling an infant can include a central padded section and a pair
of triangular shaped wings extending between side edges of the
central padded section and side corners. A triangular shaped lower
section extends from the wings and beneath the central padded
section.
[0008] The lower section can be folded upwardly over an infant when
positioned on the central padded section with the wings being
foldable over the lower section, when folded, with side edges of
the central padded section forming edges about which the wings can
be folded. The wings and the lower section are more flexible than
the central padded section. This kite shaped infant wrap can
include a curved infant head support roll extending around the
periphery of the top corner of the kite shaped infant wrap. The
curved infant head support roll extends laterally between side
edges of the central padded section so that the wings, when folded,
will not restrict the infant's breathing.
[0009] This invention is also related to wraps or blankets or
covers that are employed to bundle or swaddle an infant or babies
of different sizes, including a premature baby, so that the infant
is securely restrained within the infant wrap and cannot twist and
turn in the wrap in a manner that might otherwise result in
breathing difficulties. This invention shows various embodiments
that can be employed with infants of varying sizes, even including
premature infants, without covering the infant's face in a manner
that might restrict the infant's breathing. Unlike previous infant
wraps, embodiments depicted herein provide for primary restraint of
the infant relative to the blanket portion of the infant wrap and
also provide for means of adjusting a hood that may form a portion
of certain embodiments of the infant wrap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view of the preferred embodiment of a kite
shaped infant wrap with a head support roll and a padded section to
support an infant.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view of the kite shaped infant wrap of FIG. 1
showing the position of an infant.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view of the kite shaped infant wrap of FIGS. 1
and 2 showing the lower wrap section folded up over an infant.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view in which one of the wings is folded over
the lower wrap section.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view showing an infant bunted in the kite shaped
infant wrap of FIGS. 1-4.
[0015] FIG. 6A is a view showing the kite shaped infant wrap of
FIGS. 1-5 used for a smaller infant. FIG. 6B is a view showing the
kite wrap infant wrap with the approximate location of fold lines
when the kite wrap is used for a premature infant.
[0016] FIGS. 7A-7C show one way of providing batting to pad the
central section and form the head support roll.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows another way to fabricate the padded central
section and the head support roll of the kite shaped infant wrap of
FIGS. 1-6.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a view showing an alternate embodiment of a kite
shaped infant wrap with a padded central section and a method of
constructing the wrap.
[0019] FIGS. 10A and 10B are views of a kite shaped infant wrap
with a belt forming a primary infant restraint in which the wings
and lower wrap section form a secondary infant restraint.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a view of an alternate embodiment using a vest as
a primary infant restraint.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a view of another embodiment in which the primary
restraint comprises a seat belt with a restraint portion extending
between the legs of the infant.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a view of an infant wrap in the shape of a
cross.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a view of an infant wrap in the shape of a
clover.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a view of an infant wrap in which the infant's
legs are covered.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a view of a hooded infant wrap that can be
adjusted.
[0026] FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment in which the upper
corner of the infant wrap is padded so that when folded around the
infant's head, the folded upper section will not collapse around
the infant's head and breathing passages.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The various versions of the infant wrap depicted herein
comprise a kite shape blanket or cover in which the height of the
wrap is greater than its maximum width. The maximum width is also
located closer to the top corner of the kite-shaped wrap than to
the lower corner so that the wings or areas of maximum width can be
wrapped around the infant's torso over the longer lower portion.
The wings will be folded over the previously folded lower portion
and secured together.
[0028] The preferred embodiment of this infant wrap 2 is shown in
FIGS. 1-6. A padded central section 4 extends from the top corner
12 towards the bottom corner 16 and terminates between and just
below the side corners 14, so that the length of the central padded
section 4 is sufficient to support an infant of upto about nine
months, and the width of the central padded section is also
sufficient to support an infant of the same age and size. A padded
head support roll protrudes from the top of the padded central
section 4 around the upper corner 12. As seen in FIG. 2, the head
support roll 6 is large enough to provide lateral support to the
infant's head so that the infant will not likely turn its head to
an extent in which there can be interference with the infant's
breathing. To assist a parent in positioning the infant's head in a
proper position, a circle 7 is stitched in the padded central
section between flanking sections of the support roll. This
stitched circle 7 will cause a slight depression or recess between
the stitches so that the infant's head will naturally reside in
this depression or recess or thinner section. This is especially
useful for a person who is unfamiliar with use of the infant wrap
2.
[0029] Wings 8 are formed on opposite sides of the central padded
section 4 between the corners 14 and the lateral edges of the
central padded section 4. A lower, generally triangular, wrap
section 10 extends from the lower edge of the central padded
section 4 to the lower corner 16. In the preferred embodiment of
infant wrap 2, the wings 8 and the lower section 10 are formed by
two fabric layers that are stitched together around the wrap edges.
The wings 8 and the lower section 10 are therefore more flexible
and thinner than the padded central section 4 so that these
sections of the infant wrap 2 can be easily folded over an infant
supported by the central padded section 4. FIGS. 2-5 show the
manner in which the wrap 2 can be folded around the infant to
bundle or swaddle the infant.
[0030] As seen in FIG. 2, the infant can first be lain on the
central padded section 4, which will comfortably support the infant
in a reclined position. The infant's head will be surrounded by the
head support roll 6, which will serve to properly position the
infant so that the infant's torso can be supported on the
relatively soft central padded section. The infant shown in FIGS.
2-5 is nearing the nine month stage when this infant wrap is still
suitable. The first step in bunting an infant is to fold the
triangular shaped lower section upwardly over the infant's body.
For a normal infant of about nine months, the lower corner 16 will
fit just below the infant's chin as shown in FIG. 3. The kite shape
of wrap 2 allows the relatively longer lower section 10 to fold
upwardly over the infant's legs and body, the length of which will
typically be greater than the infant's girth. This longer lower
section 10 will have sufficient size to cover all of the body of a
normal sized infant of up to nine months age.
[0031] After the lower section 10 is folded up over the infant's
body, the wings 8 on either side of the central padded section can
be sequentially folded over the top of folded lower section 10. As
shown in FIG. 4, the left wing 8 is first folded over the top of
the infant's body with the lower wrap section 10 being sandwiched
between the body and the left wing 8. The first wing to be folded
over has an elongate fastener 22 located on the outside of the wing
8. This generally rectangular fastener section 22 can be a loop
fastener, and the size of fastener 22 is sufficient to provide
adjustment depending upon the weight and size of the infant. The
wing 8 is more flexible than the central padded section 4, and the
side edges of central padded section 8 form a relatively stiffer
surface around which the wing 8 can be folded. As shown in FIG. 4,
a relatively straight folded edge 24 will be formed, and this
folded edge 24 will be in general alignment with the head support
roll 6.
[0032] The next step in bunting the infant is to fold the right
wing 8 from which a latching tab 18 extends over the top of the
previously folded left wing. The tab 18 includes a fastener 20 that
will engage the fastener section 22 at an appropriate location,
depending upon the size of the infant's body. In the preferred
embodiment, the fastener 20 can be a hook fastener that can be
easily attached to a loop fastener on the exterior of the infant
wrap 2. The fastener strip 22 is larger than the fastener 20, and
use of the relatively less abrasive loop fastener will pose fewer
problems when the infant wrap is cleaned.
[0033] The padded central section 4 would support the torso of a
normal infant, and the infant can be supported by positioning the
caretaker's hand under the central padded section 4. This will aid
in feeding and breast feeding. As seen in FIG. 5, each side edge 24
is generally in alignment with the head support roll 6, so that the
infant's face and breathing passages will be unobstructed. At the
same time, the infant can be tightly bundled no matter what the
infant's size.
[0034] FIG. 6A shows the manner in which the infant wrap can be
folded to fit a smaller infant than the infant shown in FIG. 2-5.
The infant's head can still be positioned within the head support
roll 6, but the lower wrap section 10 will be longer than the
length of the infant's body. The flexible lower section 10 can be
reversely folded along fold line 21 beneath the infant's chin, and
the wings 8 are then folded over the layered lower wrap section 10
in the same manner as when used for a larger infant. The reverse
fold line 21 can be at any position between the padded section 4
and the lower corner 16, depending upon the size of the infant.
[0035] The infant wrap 4 can also be used with a premature infant.
Although the size of the central padded section 4 would support the
torso of a normal infant, this same central padded section 4 would
be large enough to support the head, torso, arms and legs of most
if not all premature babies. FIG. 6B shows the location of fold
lines 19 and 21, along which the infant wrap would fold for a
premature infant. The fold line 19 would extend along the lower
edge of the central padded section 4. The stitch lines 9 help
secure the pad 4 define this fold line. The fold line 21 would be
between the fold line 19 and the lower corner 16. Thus the lower
section can be folded upwardly about a fold line 19, and then
reversely folded about a fold line 21 so that the lower section
remains below the premature infant's face and breathing passages.
The reversely folded lower section will also provide added warmth.
The fold lines 19 and 21 need not represent predefined weakened
sections of the lower section 10, which is thinner and more
flexible than the padded section 4. These fold lines are merely
intended to show the approximate location along which the wrap 2
folds when the infant wrap 2 is used for a premature infant. Of
course predefined fold lines 19 and 21 could be formed in a special
premature infant wrap if desired. A stitch can be used to form
these fold lines. However, the standard infant wrap would function
for a premature infant in the absence of predefined fold lines.
FIG. 6A shows the lower section folded away from the infant's face
along fold line 21, but it should be understood that the lower
section could be folded inwardly, and that the term reversely
folded encompasses folding in either direction.
[0036] The central padded section 4 can be fabricated by using a
cushioning material between two layers of the exterior fabric used
to form the more flexible wings 8 and lower wrap section 10. A
cotton batting material is suitable for use as padding forming the
head support roll 6 and the lower wrap section 10.
[0037] FIGS. 7A-7C show one method for forming the head support
roll 6. A rectangular strip of batting 30 with tapered ends 32 is
cut from a material. This strip of batting 80 can then be folded
lengthwise as shown in FIG. 7B. This will form a generally
cylindrical roll with tapered opposite edges. This batting roll 30
can then be fitted between two fabric layers 34 and 36 which are
cut in an arc so that when folded over the roll 30, a head support
roll 6 having a generally circular arc will be formed to fit
relatively tightly around the infant's head. As shown in FIG. 1,
the top corner 12 of kite shaped wrap 2 will then protrude upwardly
beyond the edges extending from the side corners 14 toward the top
corner 12. This arc shaped top corner 12 will then fit tighter
around the infant's head than a configuration in which the top
corner would not protrude beyond the remainder of the wrap.
[0038] The batting roll 30 can be used with a separate, generally
rectangular section of batting, which would fit between two fabric
layers, to form the central padded section 4. FIG. 8 shows an
alternative approach in which a rectangular padding section 38 is
part of a one piece batting section that forms both the roll 30 and
the rectangular padding in the central padded section. The upper
edge is folded over to form the head support roll 6 and the central
padded section is formed by slipping batting 38 between two layers
of fabric, which are then stitched together.
[0039] Although the padded central section 4 and the roll 6 work
well together, it is not necessary to employ the roll 6 with the
padded central section 4. FIG. 9 shows an approach in which the
kite shaped wrap 102 does not employ a head support roll. The kite
shape wrap 102 includes the centrally positioned pad 104, which
will support the infant lying on his or her back. FIG. 9 shows the
construction of a kite-shaped infant wrap 102 including this pad
104. The pad 104 is formed on a central wrap section extending
between a top corner 112 and a bottom corner 116. In the embodiment
of FIG. 9, the pad 104 is located adjacent to the top corner 112.
The pad 104 is formed of a cover layer 128 and one or more layers
of cushioning fabric 130 sandwiched between the cover layer 128 and
a portion of the central wrap section. Polyester batting is a
material that is suitable for use as padding 130. The pad 104 also
extends between edges 126 of the central wrap section. Swaddling
wings 108, having a generally triangular configuration are joined
to the sides of central section 109 by seams that join the side
edges 126 to the swaddling wings 108. The pad 104 also is secured
to the remainder of the infant wrap 102 along the seams between the
central section 109 and the swaddling wings 108. In addition to
providing a simple method of assembling infant wrap 102, this pad
construction provides an additional advantage. Since the pad 104 is
formed of several layers of material, it will be less flexible than
the swaddling wings 108, which are formed by one or two layers of
material. As a result a fold line will be formed along the sides of
the pad 104, and the swaddling wings 108 will fold along a neat,
straight line, making it easier to swaddle the baby and reducing
the tendency of the fabric to bunch or form creases. In the
embodiment of FIG. 9, the lower portion 110 is also formed of only
one or two layers, or as with the swaddling wings 108, of fewer
layers than the pad 104. The lower wrap section 110 can therefore
be easily upwardly folded about the infant's legs and chest. In
other embodiments the padded section 104 can be extended to the
lower corner 116 to provide additional material overlying the
infant when the kite shaped wrap 102 of folded over the infant.
[0040] Although the blanket folded in this manner will provide
adequate warmth and will swaddle or bunt the infant, it can still
be possible for the infant to twist and turn within the folded and
tied blanket without additional restraint. If the infant were move
relative to the blanket, which can conceivably result in the
blanket portion of the wrap interfering with the infant's breathing
passages. Therefore some other primary means of restraining the
infant so that it cannot twist or turn about relative to the
blanket is a desirable feature for an infant wrap, whether the
shape of the blanket portion be in the form of kite, as in the
preferred embodiment, or in the form of a square, rectangle,
diamond, oval or some other irregular shape.
[0041] The embodiments of FIGS. 10-15 show various versions of an
infant wrap having a primary restraint within the folded outer
layers of the infant wrap. This primary restraint can be attachable
to or detachable from the blanket portion of the infant wrap. If
so, various forms of the primary restraint, such as the belt of
FIG. 10, the vest of FIG. 11, or the seat belt of FIG. 12 can then
be attached to the same blanket, assuming of course that adequate
fasteners, such as the hook and loop fasteners shown herein or
other conventional fasteners, are provided on the main blanket
portion. Alternatively the primary restraint may be permanently
mounted on the blanket portion, for example by stitching edges of
the primary restraint to the blanket portion, leaving distal ends
free so that they can be fastened together. These primary
restraints can also be used with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.
[0042] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a first version of a primary
restraint in the form of a belt 206 that can be attached to or
detached from a blanket portion of a kite-shaped infant wrap 202.
In FIG. 10A, the belt 206 is shown in its detached state with
opposite ends of the belt secured together to form a loop, and in
FIG. 10B the belt 206 is shown attached to the central pad 204 with
the belt open for receipt of the infant. The blanket portion of the
infant wrap 202 includes a padded portion 204 extending down from
apex of the kite wrap and forming a section on which the infant can
comfortably rest. A first hook or loop fastener 240 is located on
the back of the central section of the belt 206 so that it can be
attached to or detached from a complementary hook or loop fastener
242 located on the pad 204. In addition to supporting the infant's
back, the padded section can also provide clearance so that the
hook or loop strip does not protrude sufficiently to cause
discomfort to the child's back. The belt 206 in its open
configuration can be secured to the blanket portion and to the
padded section 204 by the complementary hook and loop fasteners.
The opposite ends of this belt can secured together to form a loop
that can fit around the infant's torso. Hook and loop fasteners can
be employed on the ends of the belt so that it can be adjusted to
fit around infant's torsos or waists, even for infant's having
different girths. The baby can be placed in the open kite shaped
infant wrap and the belt 206 can then be secured around the baby's
waist or torso. The belt 206 then forms a primary restraint.
[0043] The outer attachment of the wings over the lower wrap
section forms a secondary restraint to bundle, swaddle or bunt the
baby. The outer secondary restraint, while sufficient to hold the
blanket or cover around the infant for warmth may not be tight
enough to prevent a squirming infant from twisting and turning
relative to the folded blanket. The inner primary restraint, in the
form of a belt in FIGS. 10A and 10B will, however, keep the infant
from turning over to a degree that it might be in a dangerous
position relative to the folded blanket.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows an alternate version of a primary and
secondary restraint. In FIG. 11, a buttoned vest 256 replaces the
belt of FIGS. 10A and 10B, and an outer belt, secured to the
exterior of the wrap 252 can be used to tie the folded sections
around the infant. This view illustrates that various attachment
means can be used as both primary and secondary restraints and
various combinations of inner and outer restraints can be employed
in a manner consistent with this invention.
[0045] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of an infant wrap 302 with
a primary restraint. Here the restraint is in the form of a seat in
which a seat belt 316 also includes a strap 322, which can be
secured to a second strap 320 so that these two straps extend
between the infant's legs. The seat belt 316 can be secured to hook
or loop fastener strips located near opposite sides of a central
padded section 304, which is similar to the padded section 4 shown
in FIG. 1. The second strap 322 can be secured to central hook or
loop fastener, which can be positioned so as to fit infants of
different sizes as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The seat belt and the
straps can then be secured along opposite sides of the infant in a
manner to adjust the size depending upon the size of the infant.
FIG. 12 also shows loop fasteners 305 positioned in the central
padded section 304. These loop fasteners 305 provide a means for
attaching a optional head support roll, not shown, of the type
shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. A stitched circle 307 is located
in a position in which the infant's head can be positioned.
[0046] FIG. 13 shows another configuration in which the shape of
the infant wrap 402 is in the form of a cross instead of a kite
shape. The pad 404 is located in the center section of the infant
wrap and the two sides of the cross serve as swaddling wings 408.
The lower central cross section 410 can be folded up over the
baby's torso or between the infant's legs. The pad 404 includes
cushioning material, and the pad is less flexible than the
swaddling wings 408. For purposes of illustration, a portion of pad
404 at the upper end is open to expose the padding, but in actual
use this upper layer of fabric will be completely secured around
the central padded section 404 A restraint 420 can be attached by
hook and loop connections and can secure the infant within the
wrap. A loop connector 422, located on pad section 404 is shown in
FIG. 13.
[0047] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an infant wrap 502 that has a
clover shape instead of the kite shape of the previous embodiments.
This infant wrap also has a central pad 504 for supporting the
baby's torso. Pad 504 includes a pocket with sides 512 with several
layers of cushioning fabric sandwiched between the pocket sides 512
and the clover shaped fabric forming the wrap 502. The swaddling
wings 508 have a semi-circular shape, similar to one section of a
clover, and can be folded over the infant, who can be further
bundled or restrained by the inner pocket sides 512. The swaddling
wings 508 are again more flexible than the pad 504.
[0048] Another configuration in which sections are provided for
each of the infant's legs is shown in FIG. 15. The infant wrap 602
also includes a central pad located above the two partially
separate pockets 610 into which the infant's feet and legs may be
inserted. Lower portions of the pockets 610 into which the infant's
feet are inserted do not fold up over the infant, but upper
portions 611 of these pockets do fold over one another. The
swaddling wings 608 still have greater flexibility than the central
padded section 604 and wings 608 can be folded over to bunt or
swaddle the infant.
[0049] If a hood is used, there are a number of means that can be
provided to prevent the lower end of the hood from covering
portions of an infant's face and potentially obstruct the infant's
breathing passages. This can be a problem when a hooded infant wrap
is used with a small infant or even a premature infant. FIG. 16
shows one configuration in which a hood 750 located on a kite
shaped wrap includes a series of fasteners on the exterior of the
hood 750. In this embodiment three circular hook and loop fasteners
are employed. The lower fastener 752 can be a hook fastener. The
two upper fasteners 754, 756 can be loop fasteners. The hood 75 can
then be folded up into two alternate positions in which the hook
fastener 752 can engage either loop fastener 754 or top loop
fastener 756. Thus the hood 750 can be in any one of three separate
configurations to fit the size of the infant using the infant wrap.
As the infant grows, the hood 750 can be further adjusted. Other
fasteners, such as ties can also be employed.
[0050] FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of an infant wrap 802 in
which the upper corner 806 is padded. A stitched circle 807 forms a
depression as discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The infant's head
will then be positioned within the depression formed within this
stitched circle so that the head will be centered in the upper
padded corner 806. When the infant wrap is folded around the infant
as discussed with respect to previous embodiments, the padding in
the upper corner 806 will hold the folded upper section away from
the infant's face and breathing passages. This is because the
padding extends to the side edges of the infant wrap so that the
padded upper corner 806 has a generally triangular shape.
[0051] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that
other equivalent means and structure can be substituted for the
representative configurations shown herein. Therefore this
invention is defined by the following claims and is not limited to
the representative embodiments shown herein.
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