U.S. patent application number 13/455968 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for universal rain and cool weather carrier cover.
Invention is credited to Elizabeth Zack.
Application Number | 20120266350 13/455968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47020103 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120266350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zack; Elizabeth |
October 25, 2012 |
UNIVERSAL RAIN AND COOL WEATHER CARRIER COVER
Abstract
Provided is a universal cover for an infant carrier, wherein the
cover is configured to provide warmth and/or protection from
precipitation, such as rain, snow, etc. The cover includes a cape
portion which may be draped over the infant seat of the infant
carrier. The inside of the cape portion includes a strip of fabric
at the peripheral edge thereof to form a peripheral pocket on the
cape. The lower end of the pocket may be configured to receive the
infant's feet/legs while the infant is seated within the carrier.
The cover additionally includes a connector strip including a pair
of lateral end portion which may be wrapped around respective
shoulder strap(s) of the infant carrier to secure the cover to the
infant carrier.
Inventors: |
Zack; Elizabeth; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Family ID: |
47020103 |
Appl. No.: |
13/455968 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61478812 |
Apr 25, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/84 ; 2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20130101;
A47D 13/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/84 ; 2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00; A41D 3/00 20060101 A41D003/00 |
Claims
1. A universal cover for use with an infant carrier, the universal
cover comprising: a cape including: an outer panel defining a
peripheral edge portion; and an inner panel connected to the outer
panel adjacent the peripheral edge portion thereof, the inner and
outer panels collective defining a peripheral pocket configured to
capture a portion of an infant seated within an infant carrier
within the cape; and a connector coupled to the outer panel and
configured to be engageable with the infant carrier for connecting
the cape to the infant carrier.
2. The universal cover recited in claim 1, wherein the cape
includes: a first cape shell including the outer and inner panels;
and a second cape shell disposable over the first cape shell such
that the first and second cape shells assume a nested
configuration.
3. The universal cover recited in claim 2, wherein the second cape
shell includes a second cape outer panel and a second cape inner
panel defining a second cape pocket within which the first cape
shell may be received in when the first cape shell is nested within
the second cape shell.
4. The universal cover recited in claim 2, wherein the first cape
shell is formed from cotton, polyester or fleece material, and the
second cape shell is formed from a water-resistant material.
5. The universal cover recited in claim 1, wherein the cape
includes a upper end portion, a lower end portion and a pair of
opposed lateral portions extending between the upper and lower end
portions, the cape being transitional between an expanded
configuration and a contracted configuration such that the distance
between the lateral end portions decreases as the cape transitions
from the expanded configuration toward the contracted
configuration.
6. The universal cover recited in claim 1, further including a
drawstring connected to the inner panel, the drawstring being
configured to cinch the cape around the infant carrier.
7. The universal cover recited in claim 1, further including a hand
pocket connected to the cape, the hand pocket being configured to
allow a user to place the user's hands therein.
8. The universal cover recited in claim 1, wherein the connector
includes a pair of connector strips coupled to opposed lateral end
portions of the cape, each connector strip being disposable in a
looped configuration about a respective one of a pair of shoulder
straps of the infant carrier to connect the respective connector
strip to the shoulder strap.
9. The universal cover recited in claim 1, further comprising a
hood connected to the cape.
10. The universal cover recited in claim 9, wherein the hood is
selectively removable from the cape.
11. A universal cover configured for use with an infant carrier,
the cover comprising a cape having a folded segment extending
around a portion of the periphery thereof to define a cape pocket
configured to capture at least a portion of an infant seated within
the infant carrier and to dispose the cape over a portion of the
infant carrier.
12. The universal cover recited in claim 11, further including a
connector coupled to the cape and connectable to the infant carrier
for securing the cape to the infant carrier.
13. The universal cover recited in claim 11, wherein the cape
includes an outer cape shell and an inner cape shell disposable
within the outer cape shell to define a nested configuration.
14. The universal cover recited in claim 13, wherein the inner cape
shell is formed from cotton, polyester or fleece material, and the
outer cape shell is formed from a water-resistant material.
15. The universal cover recited in claim 11, wherein the cape
includes a upper end portion, a lower end portion and a pair of
opposed lateral portions extending between the upper and lower end
portions, the cape being transitional between expanded
configuration and a contracted configuration such that the distance
between the lateral end portions decreases as the cape transitions
from the expanded configuration toward the contracted
configuration.
16. The universal cover recited in claim 15, further including a
pair of complimentary fasteners connected to the cape, wherein the
fasteners are connected when the cape is in the contracted
configuration and disconnected when the cape is in the expanded
configuration.
17. The universal cover recited in claim 11, further including a
drawstring connected to the cape, the drawstring being configured
to cinch the cape around the infant carrier.
18. The universal cover recited in claim 11, further including a
hand pocket connected to the cape, the hand pocket being configured
to allow a user to place the user's hands therein.
19. The universal cover recited in claim 11, further comprising a
hood connected to the cape.
20. The universal cover recited in claim 19, wherein the hood is
selectively removable from the cape.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/478,812, filed Apr. 25, 2011, entitled UNIVERSAL
RAIN AND COOL WEATHER CARRIER COVER.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Technical Field
[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to covers for
infant carrying and support devices. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a universal cover for an infant carrier for
protecting the infant from precipitation and/or cool weather.
[0005] 2. Related Art
[0006] Infant carriers are well known in the art and consequently,
there are a number of basic configurations for infant carriers
suitable for on-the-body carry, including slings, wraps, and
shoulder strap carriers. Though simpler in construction, slings and
wraps are not as popular as infant carriers that incorporate
shoulder straps, due in part to the difficulty associated with
proper wear. Among infant carriers with shoulder straps, there are
those with frames fashioned after conventional backpacks.
Accordingly, such framed carriers typically support the child on
the back of the wearer. Also, there are frameless or soft-sided
carriers that support the child on the front or chest of the
wearer, as well as those that support the child on the hip of the
wearer.
[0007] There are a number of positions and orientations in which
the child may be carried, each being appropriate for different
circumstances. For example, where there is a need for increased
monitoring, the child may be carried on the front of, and facing
backwards to, the parent or caregiver. Further, while moving about,
completing errands, or otherwise participating in activity that
takes the child out of the home, a greater degree of interaction
with the surrounding environment may be offered by carrying the
child in the front of, and facing forward along the same
perspective as, the parent or caregiver.
[0008] In view of the aforementioned benefits of infant carriers,
such carriers are widely used when the parent and child are
spending time outside. For instance, the parent and child may be
outside enjoying a walk through the park, shopping, exercising,
etc.
[0009] A common concern with using the infant carrier in outside
environments is shielding the infant from the elements,
particularly cold weather and precipitation. The weather may change
quickly and the parent may not have time to change the child's
clothes to suit the changing weather. Furthermore, if the child is
wrapped in bulky clothes to keep the infant warm and dry, the
infant may no longer comfortably fit within the infant carrier.
[0010] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that
may be used with existing infant carriers to shield and protect an
infant from cool weather and precipitation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
the above-identified deficiencies in the art. There is provided a
universal cover for an infant carrier, wherein the cover is
configured to provide warmth and/or protection from precipitation,
such as rain, snow, etc. The cover includes a cape portion which
may be draped over the infant seat of the infant carrier. The
inside of the cape portion includes a strip of fabric at the
peripheral edge thereof to form a peripheral pocket on the cape.
The lower end of the pocket may be configured to receive the
infant's feet/legs while the infant is seated within the carrier.
The cover additionally includes a connector strip including a pair
of lateral end portions which may be wrapped around respective
shoulder strap(s) of the infant carrier. When the lateral end
portions are wrapped around the shoulder straps(s), the upper end
portion of the cover is secured to the carrier. Furthermore, the
insertion of the infant's legs/feet into the foot pocket maintains
the lower portion of the cover in place.
[0012] The cover may be comprised of a warming shell to provide
warmth to the infant. The cover may also be comprised of a rain
shell to protect the infant from rain or other precipitation. The
warming shell and rain shell may be used separately or in
combination with each other to provide warm and precipitation
protection to the infant. Along these lines, the warming shell and
rain shell may include cooperative mechanical fasteners to secure
the warming shell and rain shell together. Furthermore, the warming
shell may be configured to be disposed within the rain shell to
define a nested configuration when the two shells are used in
combination with each other.
[0013] The cover may additionally include several features which
enhance the adaptability of the cover. For instance, the cover may
include a drawstring disposed within a drawstring channel adjacent
the inner edge of the inner panel to allow a parent to cinch the
cover to the infant carrier. The cover may also include adjustment
fasteners adjacent the second end portion of the cover to adjust
the foot pocket to accommodate different carrier shapes and sizes,
suit the size of the infant, as well as the position of the infant
relative to the parent (i.e., straddling or legs hanging down).
[0014] It is additionally contemplated that the cover may include a
hood that is selectively attachable to the cape portion to provide
protection to the infant's head when the infant is seated within
the carrier.
[0015] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These as well as other features of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of a universal carrier cover
including a warming shell nested within a rain shell;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal carrier cover
connected to an infant carrier, the carrier cover including a hood
in an upright position;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the universal carrier cover
shown in FIG. 2, with the hood in a collapsed position;
[0020] FIG. 4A is a front view of the warming shell in an expanded
configuration;
[0021] FIG. 4B is a front view of the warming shell in a contracted
configuration; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of an end portion of the
connector strip.
[0023] Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings
and detailed description to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a
description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention,
and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present
invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets
forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and
operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the
same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by
different embodiments and that they are also intended to be
encompassed within the scope of the invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a universal carrier
cover 10 for use with an infant carrier to provide warmth and/or to
protect the infant seated within the carrier from the natural
elements, such as rain, wind, snow, etc. The carrier cover 10 is
adapted to be used with most infant carriers by easily attaching to
the shoulder strap(s) or harness of the infant carrier. As will be
described in more detail below, the carrier cover depicted in FIG.
1 includes a warming shell 12 and a rain shell 14, which may be
used in combination with each other (as shown in FIG. 1), or
separately, as desired by the parent to suit the current weather
conditions.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, the universal carrier cover 10
is shown attached to an infant carrier 16. The cover 10 includes a
first, upper end portion 18, a second lower end portion 20, a first
lateral portion 22, and a second lateral portion 24. The cover 10
additionally includes an outer panel 26 and an inner panel 28 (See
FIG. 4A) which collectively define a peripheral foot pocket 30
adjacent the second end portion 20, wherein the foot pocket 30 is
configured to receive the infant's feet/legs. The inner panel 28 is
coupled to the peripheral edge 32 of the outer panel 26. The inner
panel 28 extends partially inwardly from the peripheral edge 32 to
define an inner edge 34. In this regard, the inner panel 28 only
partially overlaps with the outer panel 26. A drawstring channel is
disposed adjacent the inner edge 34 of the inner panel 28 and is
configured to receive a drawstring 36 (See FIG. 4A). The drawstring
36 is used to cinch the inner edge 34 around the infant carrier 16
to adapt the size of the cover 10 to the particular size and
contour of the carrier 16, as well as the size of the child seated
within the carrier 10. This feature provides enhanced adaptability
to allow the cover 10 to be used with carriers 16 that vary in
size, as well as children that vary in size.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4A, the cover 10 additionally includes
a connector strip 42 adjacent the first upper end portion 18
thereof. The connector strip 42 includes a medial portion 44 and a
pair of lateral portions 45 disposed on opposed ends of the medial
portion 44. FIGS. 1 and 4A show the connector strip 42 in an
extended configuration, with the medial portion 44 and lateral
portions 45 being disposed in substantially co-planar relation to
each other and the lateral portions 45 extending laterally outward
from the medial portion 44.
[0028] The lateral portions 45 are configured to connect the cover
10 to the infant carrier 16. In the embodiment depicted in the
drawings, the lateral portion 45 is configured to wrap around the
shoulder straps 48 of the infant carrier 16 to secure the cover 10
to the carrier 16. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, there is shown
an enlarged view of a lateral portion 45 of the connector strip 42.
The lateral portion 45 includes a distal end portion 50 and a
middle end portion 52. Cooperative mechanical fasteners 54a and 54b
are disposed at respective end portions 50, 52 of the lateral
portion 45 to allow the lateral portion 45 to wrap around a
shoulder strap 48 of the carrier 10 and to connect to itself. In
particular, a female mechanical fastener 54a is disposed adjacent
the distal end portion 50 and a corresponding male mechanical
fastener 54b is disposed adjacent the middle end portion 52. The
distal end portion 50 is wrapped around the shoulder strap 48 to
bring the female mechanical fastener 54a into engageable alignment
with the male mechanical fastener 54b. The female mechanical
fastener 54a is then engaged with the male mechanical fastener 54b
to secure the lateral portion 45 to the shoulder strap 48, as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. To disconnect the cover 10 from the carrier 10,
the mechanical fasteners 54a, 54b are disengaged and the lateral
portion 45 is removed from the shoulder strap 48. The configuration
of the connector strip 42 allows the cover 10 to be selectively
attached to a wide range of infant carriers 10 or infant
slings.
[0029] Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, the cover 10 may
include a cape portion 38 and a hood 40 selectively connectable to
the cape portion 38. The cape portion 38 is comprised of the inner
panel 28, the outer panel 26 and the connector strip 42. The cape
portion 38 and hood 40 each include cooperatively engageable
mechanical fasteners 56 for connecting the hood 40 to the cape
portion 38. When the hood 40 is connected to the cape portion 38,
the hood 40 may be transitioned relative to the cape portion 38
between a deployed position (See FIG. 2) to place the hood 40 over
the child's head, and a collapsed position (see FIG. 3) to uncover
the child's head.
[0030] As mentioned above, the cover 10 described above may be
formed from a warming shell 12, a rain shell 14, or a combination
of the warming (inner) shell 12 and the rain (outer) shell 14. In
this regard, the warming shell 12 and the rain shell 14 are each
configured to be used separately. In addition, the warming shell 12
and the rain shell 14 are also configured to be used in combination
with each other. Along these lines, the warming shell 12 and the
rain shell 14 each include a respective outer panel, inner panel,
and connector strip. The warming shell 12 and rain shell 14 are
also configured such that operation of the cover 10 remains
substantially consistent in relation to the various combinations of
use, i.e. only the warming shell 12, only the rain shell 14, or a
combination of the warming shell 12 and rain shell 14.
[0031] The warming shell 12 is preferably formed from a warm
material, such as cotton (i.e., a sweatshirt material), polyester,
or fleece, to provide additional warmth to the infant supported by
the infant carrier 16. Other materials known in the art may also be
used. The warming shell 12 may also provide warmth to the parent
wearing the carrier 16. Thus, the warming shell 12 may be suitable
when the infant carrier 16 is used in cold temperatures.
[0032] The rain shell 14 is preferably formed from a water-proof or
water resistant material and is thus intended to protect the infant
supported within the carrier 16 from rain, snow, sleet, or other
wet environments. Exemplary materials include plastic and nylon,
although other materials known by those skilled in the art may also
be used.
[0033] It may be desirable to use the warming shell 12 and the rain
shell 14 in combination with each other in cold, wet environments.
However, in warmer, wet environments, as may be the case in
tropical locals, the rain shell 14 may be used alone to protect the
infant from the wetness.
[0034] Although the foregoing describes the warming shell 12 and
the rain shell 14 as two separate elements that may be used either
alone, or in combination with each other, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that other embodiments may essentially combine the
warming shell 12 with the rain shell 14 to include a single,
integrated unit.
[0035] If the user desires to use the warming shell 12 in
combination with the rain shell 14, the rain shell 14 may be
connected to the warming shell 12. To combine the warming shell 12
with the rain shell 14, the second end portion of the warming shell
12 is inserted into the second end portion of the rain shell 14,
such that the second end portion of the warming shell 12 is nested
within the second end portion of the rain shell 14. The
configuration of the warming shell 12 is substantially similar to
the configuration of the rain shell 14 which helps in maintaining
the second end portion of the warming shell 12 within the second
end portion of the rain shell 14 during conventional usage of the
cover 10. Although the cooperative configuration of the respective
second end portions may alone maintain the warming shell 12 within
the rain shell 14, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
mechanical fasteners, such as snaps, hook and loop material,
magnets, ties, buttons, or other mechanical fastening devices may
be used to further secure the second end portions together.
[0036] To connect the first end portion of the warming shell 12
with the first end portion of the rain shell 14, the first end
portion of the warming shell 12 is laid on top of the first end
portion of the rain shell 14. The warming shell 12 and the rain
shell 14 each including cooperating mechanical fasteners 58 (See
FIG. 5) which engage with each other to secure the warming shell 12
to the rain shell 14. The lateral portion of the rain shell 14 is
shown on top of the lateral portion of the warming shell 12. Each
lateral portion includes multiple fasteners 58 which engage with
each other to secure the rain shell 14 to the warming shell 12. The
cover 10 depicted in FIG. 1 shows the warming shell 12 nested
within, and attached to, an outer rain shell 14.
[0037] Referring back to FIGS. 2-3, one embodiment of the cover 10
includes a pocket panel 55 coupled to the outer panel 26 to define
a "parent pocket" within which the parent may place his/her hands.
The pocket panel 55 may be positioned on the outer panel 26 to
provide easy access to the parent's hands (See FIGS. 13 and 14), as
well as to allow a parent to rub the child so as to soothe and
comfort the infant.
[0038] With the basic structural features of the cover 10 being
described above, the following discussion will focus on use of the
cover 10. The following discussion applies to either configuration
of the cover 10, i.e., the warming shell 12 alone, the rain shell
14 alone, or the combination of the warming shell 12 and the rain
shell 14.
[0039] The cover 10 may be secured to the infant carrier 16 before
the infant is placed within the carrier 16, or after the infant is
placed in the carrier 16. The cover 10 is secured to the carrier 16
by wrapping the lateral portions 45 around the shoulder strap(s) 48
of the carrier 16 and connecting the fasteners 54a, 54b to secure
the lateral portions 45 to the shoulder strap(s) 48. The cover 10
is arranged such that when the lateral portions 45 are connected to
the shoulder strap(s) 48, the cape portion 38 is draped over the
infant seat, with the outer panel 26 facing away from the infant
seat and the inner panel 28 facing toward the infant seat.
[0040] If the infant is not disposed in the infant seat, the cover
10 remains in this position until the child is placed therein. When
the child is in the infant carrier 16, the child's feet/legs are
placed within the foot pocket 30 at the second end portion 20 of
the cover 10. With the child's feet/legs extended into the foot
pocket 30, the second end portion 20 of the cover 10 is maintained
in place.
[0041] The size of the foot pocket 30 may be adjusted depending on
the shape and size of the infant carrier, the size of the child's
feet/legs, as well as the position of the child's legs. For
instance, the foot pocket 30 may be expanded to conform to larger
carriers, and constricted to conform to smaller, narrower carriers.
Furthermore, the cover 10 may be adapted to cover a child's legs
which straddle the parent, or a child's legs that hang down from
the carrier 16. To this end, and referring now specifically to
FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second end portion 20 of the cover 10 may
include a pocket adjuster to adjust the size of the pocket 30. In
the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cover 10 includes a
pair of cooperating fastener strips 60a, 60b which are used to
adjust the size of the foot pocket 30. As shown in FIG. 4A, the
fastener strips 60a, 60b are disengaged with each other to maximize
the size of the foot pocket 30. Conversely, the fastener strips
60a, 60b are completely engaged in FIG. 4B to minimize the size of
the foot pocket 30. The fastener strips 60a, 60b each include a
plurality of fastener elements 62 to allow for selective variation
of the size of the foot pocket 30 to adapt to the infant carrier,
the size of the infant, as well as the position of the infant
relative to the parent.
[0042] In addition to varying the size of the foot pocket 30, the
inner edge 34 of the inner panel 28 may be adjusted to provide a
snug fit around the infant. To facilitate such an adjustment, the
drawstring 36 is may be manipulated to cinch the inner edge 34
around the infant. A locking member 64 may be connected to the
drawstring 36 to maintain the tension in the drawstring 36 after
the drawstring 36 has been cinched.
[0043] With the cover 10 in place, the infant may enjoy warmth
and/or protection from the elements while the infant is seated
within the carrier 16. The cover 10 may remain on the carrier 16
until the parent decides to remove the cover 10 from the carrier
16. To remove the cover 10 from the carrier 16, the mechanical
fasteners 54a, 54b are disengaged and the lateral portions 45 are
unwrapped from the shoulder straps 48. The cover 10 is the removed
from the carrier 16 and the infant's legs/feet are removed from the
foot pocket 30. The cover 10 of the present invention is uniquely
suited to be used in combination with carriers having any one of a
multiplicity of different shapes, sizes and/or structural
attributes, the carrier 16 being exemplary only.
[0044] Additional modifications and improvements of the present
invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Thus, the particular combination of components and steps
described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only
certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended
to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *