U.S. patent application number 12/660350 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for protective overlay for a child car seat.
Invention is credited to Gwendolyn Freeman Bishop.
Application Number | 20110204687 12/660350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44475900 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110204687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bishop; Gwendolyn Freeman |
August 25, 2011 |
Protective overlay for a child car seat
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a child car seat
device. More particularly, the invention encompasses a protective
overlay or a sheath or a shield for a child car seat or a Phani
Back. The present invention is also directed to a novel a
protective overlay or a sheath or a shield for a child car seat
that is reversible. The inventive protective overlay for a child
car seat has both water repellant and water absorbent qualities and
is machine washable. The inventive protective overlay for a child
car seat provides a barrier between a child and a child seat cover.
The inventive protective overlay for a child car seat can also be
used as a padding between a child and a non-padded child seat
cover.
Inventors: |
Bishop; Gwendolyn Freeman;
(Wappingers Falls, NY) |
Family ID: |
44475900 |
Appl. No.: |
12/660350 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/219.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2881 20130101;
A47D 15/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/219.12 |
International
Class: |
A47D 1/00 20060101
A47D001/00; A47C 31/00 20060101 A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. An overlay for a child seat, comprising: (a) a child seat
protective overlay comprising a seat panel secured to a back panel,
said seat panel having at least one opening for a child seat
buckle, said back panel having a first side slit for a first child
seat shoulder harness, and a second side slit for a second child
seat shoulder harness; (b) a child seat, said child seat having at
least one opening for a child seat buckle, and a first child seat
shoulder harness, and a second child seat shoulder harness; (c) a
child seat cover, wherein said child seat cover covers at least a
portion of said child seat; and (d) wherein said child seat
accommodates said child seat protective overly such that at least a
portion of said child seat cover is sandwiched between at least a
portion of said child seat and at least a portion of said child
seat protective overlay, and wherein said at least one opening for
a child seat buckle is substantially congruent to said opening for
a child seat buckle in said child seat.
2. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein said child seat
protective overlay comprises at least one liquid absorbing material
panel, and at least one liquid repellant material panel.
3. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein said child seat
protective overlay comprises at least one liquid absorbing material
panel, at least one liquid repellant material panel, and at least
one liquid absorbing and cushioning material panel.
4. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein said child seat
protective overlay comprises at least two liquid absorbing material
panel, at least two liquid repellant material panel, at least one
liquid absorbing and cushioning material panel, and wherein said at
least one liquid absorbing and cushioning material panel is
sandwiched by said at least two liquid repellant material panel and
forming a sub-assembly, and wherein said sub-assembly is sandwiched
by said at least two liquid absorbing material panel.
5. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein at least one
protective sleeve protects said at least one side slit in said
child seat protective overlay.
6. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein at least one
protective insert protects said at least one opening for a child
seat belt buckle in said child seat protective overlay.
7. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein at least one
non-skid fastener is secured to said child seat protective
overlay.
8. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein at least one
tying means is secured to said child seat protective overlay.
9. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein at least one
side panel is secured to said child seat protective overlay.
10. The overlay for a child seat of claim 1, wherein at least one
securing means are secured to said child seat protective overlay to
secure said child seat protective overlay to said cover of said
child seat.
11. A combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a child
seat, comprising: (a) a child seat protective overlay comprising a
seat panel secured to a back panel, said seat panel having at least
one opening for a child seat buckle, said back panel having a first
side slit for a first child seat shoulder harness, and a second
side slit for a second child seat shoulder harness; (b) a child
seat, said child seat having at least one opening for a child seat
buckle, and a first child seat shoulder harness, and a second child
seat shoulder harness; (c) a child seat cover, wherein said child
seat cover covers at least a portion of said child seat; and (d)
wherein said child seat accommodates said child seat protective
overly such that at least a portion of said child seat cover is
sandwiched between at least a portion of said child seat and at
least a portion of said child seat protective overlay, and wherein
said at least one opening for a child seat buckle is substantially
congruent to said opening for a child seat buckle in said child
seat, and wherein said first child seat shoulder harness passes
through said first side slit in said child seat protective overlay,
and said second child seat shoulder harness passes through said
second side slit in said child seat protective overlay, and secures
said child seat protective overlay to said child seat.
12. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein said child seat protective overlay
comprises at least one liquid absorbing material panel, and at
least one liquid repellant material panel.
13. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein said child seat protective overlay
comprises at least one liquid absorbing material panel, at least
one liquid repellant material panel, and at least one liquid
absorbing and cushioning material panel.
14. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein said child seat protective overlay
comprises at least two liquid absorbing material panel, at least
two liquid repellant material panel, at least one liquid absorbing
and cushioning material panel, and wherein said at least one liquid
absorbing and cushioning material panel is sandwiched by said at
least two liquid repellant material panel and forming a
sub-assembly, and wherein said sub-assembly is sandwiched by said
at least two liquid absorbing material panel.
15. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein at least one protective sleeve
protects said at least one side slit in said child seat protective
overlay.
16. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein at least one protective insert
protects said at least one opening for a child seat belt buckle in
said child seat protective overlay.
17. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein at least one non-skid fastener is
secured to said child seat protective overlay.
18. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein at least one tying means is secured
to said child seat protective overlay.
19. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein at least one side panel is secured
to said child seat protective overlay.
20. The combination child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a
child seat of claim 11, wherein at least one securing means are
secured to said child seat protective overlay to secure said child
seat protective overlay to said cover of said child seat.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a child car seat
device. More particularly, the invention encompasses a protective
overlay or a sheath or a shield for a child car seat or a Phalli
Back. The present invention is also directed to a novel a
protective overlay or a sheath or a shield for a child car seat
that is reversible. The inventive protective overlay for a child
car seat has both water repellant and water absorbent qualities and
is machine washable. The inventive protective overlay for a child
car seat provides a barrier between a child and a child seat cover.
The inventive protective overlay for a child car seat can also be
used as a padding between a child and a non-padded child seat
cover.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Child car seats are now used universally for infants,
toddlers and young children. These car seats are usually made from
molded plastic with a fabric protective covering. These child car
seats provide a safe transportation device for children,
especially, in automobiles. It is well know that young children are
prone to wet themselves accidentally or spill liquids while being
transported in a child car seat. Some child car seats have padding
and other fabric material to absorb or contain the spilled liquid,
however, it is a big challenge for parents to remove the protective
cover from the plastic molded portion of the child car seat and
then to wash the protective cover. Similarly, it becomes a
challenge to re-install the car seat protective cover after the
protective child car seat cover has been cleaned. Another problem
that arises with this procedure is that sometimes the parents do
not have the time to remove the manufacturer's child seat cover for
the purposes of cleaning it, and at other times they simply forget
it, and continue to use an unsanitary child seat cover. Once a
manufacturer's child seat cover has been stained, it is rather an
expensive, and a time consuming proposition to contact a
manufacturer for a replacement child seat cover.
[0003] There are times where young children in diapers are being
transported in a child car seat, and in most cases their urine is
mostly contained within the diaper. However, for young children who
are being potty-trained, and thus who may not be wearing diapers,
their urine leaks through their clothing and soils the car seat. In
such cases the parents have to uninstall the car seat from the car,
remove the protective cover, and then wash and clean not only the
soiled seat, but also the soiled car seat cover. This can again
become a challenge for parents who have limited time.
[0004] Also children in car seats are given food, snacks, milk,
juices, and other similar body nourishing material items while they
are still in their child car seats. It is not uncommon for a child
to spill their food or their fluids onto and into their car seats.
Similarly, crumbs also fall into a child's car seats and these
elements soil and stain the protective covering of the child's car
seat.
[0005] The child car seat industry has addressed this problem in a
variety of ways, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,352
(George Konovalov, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, discloses a car seat pad for use
in child safety seats. The seat pad is formed of isotonic foam or
encapsulated gel material to insulate an infant or small child from
the hard surface of the safety seat. The pad includes a back
portion and a hingedly joined seat portion. The back portion
includes a number of slots designed to accommodate the seat belt
webbing of the child safety seat. The seat portion includes a notch
to provide space for the buckle of the seat belt. A removable
washable cover is provided for the seat pad. The cover includes
reinforced openings aligned with the slots in the back portion of
the pad. In versions of the seat pad designed for larger children,
a lumbar support pad is attached to the lower end of the back
portion and an additional seat pad is attached to the upper end of
the seat portion. The side edges of the back and seat portions are
tapered to eliminate additional padding material from accumulating
in the safety seat when the seat pad is fold to fit within the
seat.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,011 (Jennifer Bari Pines, et al.), the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,
discloses a child car seat cover. This device provides an easily
removable, cleanable and adjustable cover for a child car seat that
restricts the passage of food, dirt and liquids to the car seat
material. The device is comprised of multiple layers of fabric,
strap covers, strap openings and strap closures.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,876 (Mary-Lou Laetitia Smulders, et
al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference, discloses a removable car seat cover that has openings
adapted to allow the crotch strap and shoulder straps to extend
through the cover while the straps remain affixed to the car seat.
The removable cover comprises a periphery that secures the cover to
the edges of a car seat. Various configurations of openings for
shoulder straps to extend through include: two vertical openings, a
"U"-shaped opening, multiple horizontal openings connected by a
vertical slit and openings for shoulder belts used with booster
seats. Fasteners and panels can be added to each configuration to
provide further protection to the underlying factor car seat cover.
A matching canopy cover has extended panels to provide additional
protection from rain or the sun.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,314 (Allen Friedland, et al.), the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,
discloses a removable child car seat cover that enables removal of
the cover without requiring that the car seat be removed from the
car.
[0009] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0215600 (Caron Ammons), the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,
discloses a sheet of porous material, a sheet of absorptive
material, and a sheet of non-porous material connected to the
porous sheet with the absorptive sheet between them. The sheets are
shaped to cover a seat surface of a child seat, such as, a car
seat, and have a seat panel, two leg panels that extend from the
seat panel, and a crotch flap that extends from the seat panel
between the two leg panels. The porous material permits urine from
a child in the child seat to pass through it, the absorptive
material absorbs the urine, and the non-porous material prevents
the urine from leaking through the absorptive sheet and soiling the
child seat.
[0010] However, a need exists for a child car seat protective
overlay that provides an additional layer of material between a
child and a child seat protective cover, and that which can be
easily and quickly removed for cleaning. Additionally, there is a
need for a child seat protective overlay that will not only contain
any fluid spills, but also protect the child car seat cover and the
child car seat. Furthermore, there is also a need for a child seat
protective overlay that can be used with child car seats and other
child seats, and that is economical to make and sell. Therefore,
this invention improves on the deficiencies of the prior art and
provides an inventive protective overlay for a child car seat.
PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention is a novel protective overlay for a child car
seat.
[0012] Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a
protective overlay for a child car seat.
[0013] Another purpose of this invention is to provide a child car
seat protective overlay that interfaces between a child and a child
seat protective cover, and which can be easily and quickly removed
for cleaning.
[0014] Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a child
seat protective overlay that will not only contain any fluid spills
but also protect the child car seat cover.
[0015] Still yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a
child seat protective overlay that can be used with child car seats
and other child seats, and that is economical to make and sell.
[0016] Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises an overlay
for a child seat, comprising:
(a) a child seat protective overlay comprising a seat panel secured
to a back panel, said seat panel having at least one opening for a
child seat buckle, said back panel having a first side slit for a
first child seat shoulder harness, and a second side slit for a
second child seat shoulder harness; (b) a child seat, said child
seat having at least one opening for a child seat buckle, and a
first child seat shoulder harness, and a second child seat shoulder
harness; (c) a child seat cover, wherein said child seat cover
covers at least a portion of said child seat; and (d) wherein said
child seat accommodates said child seat protective overly such that
at least a portion of said child seat cover is sandwiched between
at least a portion of said child seat and at least a portion of
said child seat protective overlay, and wherein said at least one
opening for a child seat buckle is substantially congruent to said
opening for a child seat buckle in said child seat.
[0017] In another aspect this invention comprises a combination
child seat, child seat cover, overlay for a child seat,
comprising:
(a) a child seat protective overlay comprising a seat panel secured
to a back panel, said seat panel having at least one opening for a
child seat buckle, said back panel having a first side slit for a
first child seat shoulder harness, and a second side slit for a
second child seat shoulder harness; (b) a child seat, said child
seat having at least one opening for a child seat buckle, and a
first child seat shoulder harness, and a second child seat shoulder
harness; (c) a child seat cover, wherein said child seat cover
covers at least a portion of said child seat; and (d) wherein said
child seat accommodates said child seat protective overly such that
at least a portion of said child seat cover is sandwiched between
at least a portion of said child seat and at least a portion of
said child seat protective overlay, and wherein said at least one
opening for a child seat buckle is substantially congruent to said
opening for a child seat buckle in said child seat, and wherein
said first child seat shoulder harness passes through said first
side slit in said child seat protective overlay, and said second
child seat shoulder harness passes through said second side slit in
said child seat protective overlay, and secures said child seat
protective overlay to said child seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Although the scope of the present invention is much broader
than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the
preferred embodiment follows together with drawings. These drawings
are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Like
numbers represent like features and components in the drawings. The
invention may best be understood by reference to the ensuing
detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a detailed perspective view showing a first
embodiment of the child seat protective pad invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view showing a seventh
embodiment of the child seat protective pad invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view showing an eighth
embodiment of the child seat protective pad invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view showing a ninth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIG. 1 is a detailed perspective view showing a first
embodiment of the child seat protective pad invention 23. The child
seat protective pad or shield or overlay 23, basically comprises a
base or seat panel 10, having at least one opening 12, for a car
seat belt buckle (not shown). A rear or back panel 20, having at
least one opening or side slit 22, for a car seat belt (not shown),
is secured to an edge of the base or seat panel 10. As one can see
in FIG. 1, that the inventive protective overlay 23, for a child
car seat can be easily and quickly placed over a child seat cover
95, shown in FIG. 9, and then the child car seat belt (not shown)
can be easily slid through the side slits 22, as desired, and then
the child car seat belt buckle (not shown) can be inserted thorough
the opening 12, and into a child car seat 90, shown in FIG. 9. As
stated earlier this inventive protective overlay 23, for a child
car seat 90, is placed over a child seat cover 95, that has already
been secured to the child car seat 90, and the child (not shown) is
then placed over this inventive protective overlay 23, for a child
car seat 90. Thus, this inventive protective overlay 23, for a
child car seat 90, provides a barrier, as well as a padding,
between a child and a cover 95, of the child car seat 90. This
inventive protective overlay 23, for a child car seat 90, not only
protects the child car seat cover 95, for any fluid spills or
crumbs, but also the child car seat 90.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention 23, where the base or seat
panel 10, comprises of at least one fluid or water repellant panel
or material 16, which is secured to at least one fluid or water
absorbing panel or material 14.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention 23, where the rear or back
panel 20, comprises of at least one fluid or water repellant panel
or material 26, which is secured to at least one fluid or water
absorbing panel or material 24.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention 23, where the base or seat
panel 10, comprises of at least one fluid or water absorbing and
cushioning panel or material 18, which is sandwiched between at
least one fluid or water repellant panel or material 16, and at
least one fluid or water absorbing panel or material 14.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention 23, where the rear or back
panel 20, comprises of at least one fluid or water absorbing and
cushioning panel or material 28, which is sandwiched between at
least one fluid or water repellant panel or material 26, and at
least one fluid or water absorbing panel or material 24.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention 63, having a panel 60. The
panel 60, comprises of a plurality of layers or panels. It is
preferred that the center layer or panel comprises of at least one
fluid or water repellant panel or material 66, and that at least
one layer of at least one fluid or water absorbing and cushioning
panel or material 68, is adjacent to the at least one fluid or
water repellant panel or material 66. It is also preferred that at
least one fluid or water absorbing panel or material 64, is
adjacent and secured to at least one layer of at least one fluid or
water absorbing and cushioning panel or material 68. The panel 60,
can be used to replace the base or seat panel 10, and/or the rear
or back panel 20.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view showing a seventh
embodiment of the child seat protective pad invention 73. The child
seat protective pad or overlay or shield 73, basically comprises a
base or seat panel 10, having at least one opening 12, for a seat
belt buckle (not shown). A rear or back panel 20, having at least
one opening 32, having a side slit 31, for a seat belt (not shown),
is secured to an edge of the base or seat panel 10. The base or
seat panel 10, has at least one seat belt flap 34, adjacent the
opening 12. The child seat protective pad invention 73, also has at
least one side panel 30, where the side panel 30, secures a portion
of the base or seat panel 10, to a portion of the rear or back
panel 20. It is preferred that the side panel 30, is along at least
a portion of the side 39, of the base or seat panel 10. For some
applications one could also have a protective sleeve or insert 37,
around the opening 12, and/or around the opening 32, and/or side
slit 31.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view showing an eighth
embodiment of the child seat protective pad invention 83. The child
seat protective pad or shield or overlay or sheath 83, basically
comprises a base or seat panel 60, having at least one opening 12,
for a seat belt buckle (not shown). A rear or back panel 60, having
at least one opening or side slit 22, for a seat belt (not shown),
is secured to an edge of the base or seat panel 60. The base or
seat panel 60, has at least one seat belt flap 44, adjacent the
opening 12. The child seat protective pad invention 83, also has at
least one securing or tying means 40. The securing means 40,
securely secures either the base or seat back panel 60, and/or the
rear or back panel 60, to a child seat 90, shown in FIG. 9. The
child seat protective pad invention 83, could also have a plurality
of non-slip or non-skid fasteners 45, that can secure the inventive
child seat protective pad 83, to a corresponding car seat (not
shown). For some applications the non-slip fasteners 45, could be
only on one side of the inventive child seat protective pad 83.
However, for some other applications the non-slip fasteners 45,
could be on both sides of the inventive child seat protective pad
83. For some applications one could also have a protective sleeve
or insert 47, around the opening 12, and/or around the opening or
side slit 22. The child seat protective overlay 83, could have
straight edge 49, or an edge 59, where a portion 55, is removed
creating an edge 54, so that when the child seat protective overlay
23, 63, 83, is placed over the child seat 90, it does not bunch up
at the transition point between the seat and the back. With the
portion 55, removed the child seat protective overlay 23, 63, 83,
would have a distinct region for the back of the child, and for the
seat of the child. In some applications one could also secure a
side panel, similar to the side panel 30, to catch and contain any
spillage and/or crumbs, and to prevent any spillage from
penetrating or soiling the seat cover 95.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view showing a ninth embodiment of
the child seat protective pad invention 93. The inventive child
seat protective pad invention 93, comprises of a child seat
protective pad or shield or overlay 23, that basically follows the
contours of a child seat or a child car seat 90. The child seat 90,
has a base or seat area 92, and a back or rear area 94. The child
seat 90, is covered or protected by a child seat cover 95. The
child seat 90, has at least one opening for a child seat buckle, a
first child seat shoulder harness or strap or belt, and a second
child seat shoulder harness or strap or belt, which are not shown
as they are all well known to a person skilled in the art.
[0037] It is preferred that the at least one fluid or water
repellant panel or material 16, 66, is selected from a group
comprising of a rubber sheet, a plastic sheet, a polymeric sheet, a
Teflon.RTM. or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, a Tyvek.RTM.
sheet, a composite sheet, a vinyl sheet, to name a few. The water
repellant panel or material 16, 66, could also be a fabric material
having at least one coating of at least one water repellant or at
least one hydrophobic material or at least one moisture-repellant
material.
[0038] Tyvek.RTM. is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de
Nemours and Company, and is a brand of flashspun high-density
polyethylene fibers, which is a synthetic material. This material
is very strong; it is difficult to tear but can easily be cut with
scissors or any other sharp object. Water vapor can pass through
Tyvek.RTM. (highly breathable), but not liquid water, so the
material lends itself to a variety of applications, such as, for
example, medical packaging, envelopes, car covers, air and water
intrusion barriers, house wraps, under house siding, labels,
wristbands, graphics, to name a few.
[0039] It is preferred that the at least one fluid or water
absorbing panel or material 14, 64, is selected from a group
comprising of cotton material, terry cloth material, wool material,
flannel material, composite material, to name a few.
[0040] It is preferred that the at least one fluid or water
absorbing panel or material 14, 64, is capable of absorbing and
holding fluid or water, such that, when it is in contact with
liquid or water, the material 14, 64, naturally absorbs the fluid
or water and holds at least some of the fluid or water in its voids
against gravitational force. Therefore, when the material 14, 64,
holding absorbed fluid or water is lifted, if part of the absorbed
fluid or water is still held without falling, it can be said that
the material 14, 64, is capable of absorbing and holding fluid or
water. Preferably, the material 14, 64, is capable of absorbing
fluid or water via capillary action. The material 14, 64, could
also be a sponge-like material 14, 64, such as, for example, a
sheet material 14, 64, which is formed of hydrophilic fibers, such
as, cotton, hydrophilically treated fibers, to name a few.
[0041] It is preferred that the at least one fluid or water
absorbing and cushioning panel or material 18, 68, is selected from
a group comprising of cotton material, terry cloth material, wool
material, flannel material, composite material, to name a few.
[0042] It is preferred that the at least one fluid or water
absorbing and cushioning panel or material 18, 68, is capable of
absorbing and holding fluid or water, such that, when it is in
contact with liquid or water, the material 18, 68, naturally
absorbs the fluid or water and holds at least some of the fluid or
water in its voids against gravitational force. Therefore, when the
material 18, 68, holding absorbed fluid or water is lifted, if part
of the absorbed fluid or water is still held without falling, it
can be said that the material 18, 68, is capable of absorbing and
holding fluid or water. Preferably, the material 18, 68, is capable
of absorbing fluid or water via capillary action. The material 18,
68, could also be a sponge-like material 18, such as, for example,
a sheet material 18, 68, which is formed of hydrophilic fibers,
such as, cotton, hydrophilically treated fibers, to name a few.
[0043] It is preferred that the at least one securing means or
non-skid or non-slip means 45, are selected from a group comprising
an adhesive, a glue, an adhesive type tape, an adhesive type strip,
a zip, button, thread, a fastening means, hooks, snaps, ties,
strings, hook and loop fastener, or the like, to name a few. The
securing means or non-skid or non-slip means 45, could be in a
ribbon form or a sheet or a panel form, and this material should
either prevent or limit the sliding movement of the child seat
overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, in reference to the seat cover 95.
[0044] It is preferred that the at least one protective sleeve or
insert 37, 47, is made from a material selected from a group
comprising, plastic material, rubber material, composite material,
ceramic material, metallic material, to name a few.
[0045] This inventive child car seat overlay or supplemental car
seat overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, 93, can be used in many situations,
such as, for example, in a stroller 90, in a child's high chair 90,
a wheel chair 90, to name a few.
[0046] The inventive protective overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, 93, for a
child car seat 90, allows parents to have several of these
inventive protective overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, 93, for a child car
seat 90, in spare, so that they can use one while another one is
being washed and cleaned or is in the laundry basket waiting to be
washed and cleaned.
[0047] The panels 10, 20, 60, are preferably wider than the seating
area of the car seat 90, so that when the inventive protective
overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, is placed into the child car seat 90, the
panels 10, 20, 60, form a "cup" or "cradle" to capture any fluid
spills or crumbs. The panels 10, 20, 60, should also be wide enough
to follow the inner contours of the car seat 90, especially, the
seat area 92, and the back area 94, without interfering with the
rest of the functions of the child car seat 90. In some embodiments
the inventive protective overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, could be flat when
laid out on a flat surface, but then be flexible enough to follow
the contours of the child car seat 90.
[0048] Upon filing of the instant patent application the inventive
protective overlay 23, 63, 73, 83, 93, will be available at
www.phaniback.com under the trademark PHANI BACK.TM..
[0049] While the present invention has been particularly described
in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims
will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as
falling within the true scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *
References