U.S. patent application number 13/844614 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for infant grip garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Bates. Invention is credited to Robert Bates.
Application Number | 20140259273 13/844614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51520387 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140259273 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bates; Robert |
September 18, 2014 |
INFANT GRIP GARMENT
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a garment wearable by an infant for
assisting a caregiver in carrying the infant. The garment comprises
a bodysuit for an infant where the bodysuit provides grip areas for
assisting a caregiver in carrying an infant. The article has at
least one grip area having a frictional material, such as an
elastomer, applied to the grip area to create a frictional surface
extending above the outside surface of the article. The frictional
surface is in contact with a caregiver to resist the relative
motion of the infant with respect to the grip area.
Inventors: |
Bates; Robert; (Howell,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bates; Robert |
Howell |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51520387 |
Appl. No.: |
13/844614 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20130101;
A41B 2400/82 20130101; A41B 13/08 20130101; A41D 2400/82
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/80 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00 |
Claims
1. A garment wearable by an infant for assisting a caregiver in
carrying the infant, said garment comprising: a bodysuit adapted to
be worn on the torso of an infant, said bodysuit formed of a
flexible material having an inside surface and outside surface,
said bodysuit comprising at least a trunk section wherein said
trunk section at least partially covers the torso of an infant,
said trunk section having a front side, a back side, a left side
and a right side, a seat section extending from said back side of
said trunk section, said seat section at least partially covering
the buttocks of the infant, a saddle section extending from said
seat section and adapted to extend between the legs of an infant,
said bodysuit having a back side grip area disposed on the back
side of said bodysuit; and a friction material applied to said back
side grip area to form a frictional surface extending above said
outside surface of said garment, said frictional surface adapted to
be in contact with a caregiver to resist the relative motion of the
infant with respect to the caregiver.
2. The garment wearable by an infant for assisting a caregiver in
carrying the infant as set forth in claim 1, wherein said back side
grip area at least partially covers said seat section of said
bodysuit.
3. The garment wearable by an infant for assisting a caregiver in
carrying the infant as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a
front grip area disposed on the front side of said trunk
section.
4. The garment wearable by an infant for assisting a caregiver in
carrying the infant as set forth in claim 3, wherein said back grip
area substantially covers said seat section of said bodysuit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a garment for assisting a
caregiver in holding an infant. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a bodysuit for an infant where the bodysuit
provides grip areas for assisting a caregiver in carrying an
infant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The physical strain associated with holding and lifting an
infant is well known. Proper technique when lifting and carrying a
child is important to the caregiver as well as the infant. For
example, it is important to bring the baby as close to your body as
possible before lifting it to reduce strain. In addition, it is
also important to face the child directly when preparing to place
or retrieve a child from a car seat.
[0003] The art is replete with devices for carrying a child, such
as backpacks, slings and carriers. Research has shown that carrying
a child facing toward the caregiver many advantages are available.
Advantages to carrying a child facing the caregiver include
providing the child the opportunity to learn human social
interaction, such as reading and interpreting the facial
expressions of the caregiver. Carrying an infant outward can be
terrifying without being able to turn away to face a caregiver when
the flood of information becomes too much for the infant. By facing
the caregiver, an infant is able to be reassured that everything is
OK.
[0004] Carrying the infant outward creates problems with its spinal
development. By facing outward, the child will be supported by the
symphysis of the pelvis, which is not developmentally sound and
very uncomfortable for the child. When the baby sits facing away,
there is a tendency for the child to have an upright posture which
is contrary to proper spinal development at that age. It should be
noted that dangling legs are also unfavorable regarding the
development of the hip joint. Although balancing the infant on the
caregiver's hip is one technique that is more favorable to the
child, this can harm the caregiver. It is preferred that the infant
be supported by the buttocks.
[0005] If a caregiver balances an infant on their hip it can strain
the back and ligaments on that side of the caregiver's body.
Additionally the contraction of muscles reduces blood flow, which
over time can lead to shoulder and arm injury.
[0006] In addition to carrying a child there is the ever present
challenge of holding a squirming child. Preventing the child from
slipping is also important. Falling from the height of the
caregiver's torso could result in serious injury or death to an
infant. Fatigue is also an issue to a caregiver carrying a child.
Caregivers would certainly welcome an apparatus that provided a way
to reduce the force necessary to constrain a squirming load.
[0007] Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a garment
wearable by an infant for assisting a caregiver in carrying the
infant. Further it would be desirable to provide a garment for
assisting a user in carrying an infant facing the caregiver. And
finally, it is desirable to provide a garment that may be worn by
the infant when not being carried by caregiver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A garment wearable by an infant for assisting a caregiver in
carrying an infant comprises a bodysuit adapted to be worn on a
torso of an infant and formed of a flexible material having an
inside surface and an outside surface. The bodysuit comprises at
least trunk section and at least partially covering the torso of
the infant. The trunk section has a front side, a backside, a left
side and a right side. A seat section extends from the backside of
the trunk section at least partially covers the buttocks of the
infant. A saddle portion extends between the legs of an infant. The
bodysuit has a back side grip area disposed on the backside of the
bodysuit. A frictional material is applied to the back side grip
area to form a frictional surface extending above the outside
surface of the garment. The frictional surface is adapted to be in
contact with a caregiver to resist the relative motion of the
infant with respect to the caregiver.
[0009] In one embodiment, the garment wearable by an infant for
assisting a caregiver in carrying the infant has a back side at
least partially covers the seat section of the bodysuit.
[0010] The grip garment may also include a front grip area disposed
on the front side of the trunk section.
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
analysis of the following written description, the accompanying
drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A is a front view of a garment for assisting a
caregiver in holding an infant according to the principles of the
present invention revealing a bodysuit secured by suspenders;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a rear view of the grip garment of FIG. 1A
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a front view of a garment for assisting a
caregiver in holding an infant according to the principles of the
present invention revealing a bodysuit secured by a flap; and
[0015] FIG. 2B is a rear view of the grip garment of FIG. 1A
according to the principles of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an environmental view of a caregiver carrying an
infant wearing a grip garment, revealing the caregiver providing
support to the buttocks of the infant.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The wearable garment of the present invention shall be
described as is employed on the torso of an infant, in three
dimensions, rather than in two dimensions. Accordingly the wearable
garment has a front, back, right side, and left side as it would
when being worn by child. Although the terms used to describe the
present invention may be the same or similar to those used to refer
to the human anatomy, the present invention is described with
respect to the garment wearable by an infant for assisting a
caregiver in carrying the infant.
[0018] With initial reference to FIGS. 1A-2B and 2, FIG. 1A is a
front view of a garment 10 wearable by an infant 1 for assisting a
caregiver 2 in carrying the infant 1, comprising a bodysuit 12. An
example of such a bodysuit 12 is the infant bodysuit sold under the
trademark ONESIE. A typical infant bodysuit 12 is formed of a
flexible material 20 with at least some means of securing the
bodysuit 12 to the infant 1. An example of means of securing the
bodysuit 12 to an infant 1 include suspenders 13 as shown in FIG.
1A. A number of fasteners 14, in this case buttons, are employed to
fixedly attach the suspenders 13 to the bodysuit 12. Other examples
of fasteners include snaps, zippers and Velcro to name a few.
Although a few common fasteners are set forth herein it should be
understood to those skilled in the art that any reasonable
substitute for the fasteners 14 disclosed herein may be
employed.
[0019] The bodysuit 12 is worn on the torso 3 of an infant 1 and
has openings for the head 4, arms 5 and legs 6. As used herein,
torso shall refer to the portion of the infant's body not including
the head and limbs. The bodysuit 12 may also include sleeves 15 as
shown in FIG. 2A and pant legs 16. A popular option for an infant
bodysuit is integrated slippers (not shown). The bodysuit 12 of
FIG. 1A employs suspenders 13 as the means of securing the bodysuit
12 to an infant 1. Other common means of securing a bodysuit and
infant include a bottom flap 17 as shown in FIG. 2A or an opening
along the side (not shown), either of which may be secured by any
fasteners known in the art.
[0020] For The bodysuit 12 is adapted to be worn on the torso 3 of
the infant 1 and is formed of a flexible material 20 having an
inside surface (not shown) and outside surface 22. The bodysuit 12
comprises at least trunk section 18 wherein the trunk section 18
which at least partially covers the torso 3 of the infant 1. The
trunk section 18 has a front side 23, a back side 24, a left side
25 and right side 26. A seat section 28 extends from the back side
24 of the trunk section 18 and at least partially covers the
buttocks 7 of the infant 1. A saddle section 19 extends from the
seat section 28 and is adapted to extend between the legs 6 of the
infant 1. The bodysuit 12 has a backside grip area 27 disposed on
the back side 29 of the bodysuit 12 and the back side 29 includes
the back side 24 of the trunk section 18 and the seat section
28.
[0021] A friction material 30 is applied to the back side grip area
to form a frictional surface extending above the outside surface of
the garment 10. The frictional surface is adapted to be in contact
with a caregiver 2 to resist the relative motion of the infant 1
with respect to the caregiver 2.
[0022] The bodysuit 12 comprises a flexible material 20, including,
but not limited to, cotton, polyester, a cotton polyester blend,
nylon, wool, linen, silk, spandex, hemp, various brands of
para-aramid synthetic fiber, and polyethylene fiber. The flexible
material 20 has an inside surface (not shown) facing toward the
body of the infant 1 and outside surface 22 facing away from the
infant 1.
[0023] The bodysuit 12 of FIGS. 1A-2B includes front side grip area
21 and a back side grip area 27. A friction material 30 is applied
to each of said grip areas 21 and 27 to form a frictional surface
40 extending above the outside surface 22 of the bodysuit 12. In
the preferred embodiment, the friction surface 40 is formed by
screen printing silicone on the flexible material 20 so that
frictional material 30 at least partially extends above the outside
surface 22 of the article 12. Although silicone is the preferred
material 30, other materials may be substituted for plastisol
within the spirit and scope of the present invention, including,
but is not limited to, combinations, mixtures and compositions of
elastomers, or other polymers, such as latex, vinyl, nitrile,
plastisol, polyurethane, polypropylene, PVC and polyethylene.
[0024] The best mode of making the present invention is achieved by
applying the friction material 30 to the flexible material 20 by a
three dimensional screen printing process, although any suitable
method known in the art may be substituted for three dimensional
screen printing, including dip coating, casting, spraying and
spread coating.
[0025] The friction material 30 is applied to the grip areas 21, 27
to form a frictional surface 40 extending above the outside surface
22 of said bodysuit 12. The frictional surface 40 is in contact
with an caregiver 2 to resist the relative motion of the infant 1.
The grip garment 10 assists caregiver 2 in carrying an infant 1.
Ideally, the frictional surface 40 is a slip resistant surface,
which could be described as "rubbery".
[0026] The friction material 30 that is applied to the lateral grip
area 25 of the torso 2 provides an upward resistive force to
counter at least in part, the downward gravitational force acting
on the infant 1. The upward resistive force works to prevent the
infant 1 from slipping downward. A reaction force to the resistive
force pulls upward on the garment 10 of the present invention.
Therefore, part of the load of the infant 1 is translated through
the article 12 and is carried by the torso 2. The advantage is
clear in that some of the load burden that would have been on the
caregivers arm 9 is reduced. Accordingly, relief from fatigue is
clearly and advantage of the garment 10 of the present
invention.
[0027] In addition to reduced load on the caregiver's arm 19, the
garment 10 of the present invention prevents an infant 1 from
slipping and being injured. Additionally, by reducing slipping and
force required to carry the infant 1, the caregiver's fatigue is
also reduced. The addition of the friction material 30 to the grip
area 21, 27 provides an increased frictional force that resists the
infant 1 from slipping out of the arms 9 of the caregiver 2. The
garment 10 of the present invention requires less adduction force
by the caregiver 2 when carrying the infant 1 under their arm 9. As
an example, the coefficient of friction is higher between the
friction material 30 and clothing than between cotton and
clothing.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the grip areas 21, 27 have
frictional material 30 applied in a spaced pattern 32 where the
friction material 30 is deposited as discretely spaced areas. An
advantage to a spaced pattern is breathability of the flexible
material 20. The grip garment 10 illustrated herein has frictional
material 30 applied in a "polka dot" pattern 34. Although a polka
dot pattern is disclosed, it should be understood that a variety of
friction material patterns may be employed, from a solid layer, to
waves, bumps, and cross hatching to name a few. The friction
material 30 may be black, clear or any color. Furthermore, it is
contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present
invention to have a reflective material applied on top of or
integrated into the friction material 30. The safety aspects of
having reflective material on a bodysuit 12 would be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Additionally, a color pattern such as a
logo or message may be designed into the frictional material 30,
such as by forming an image by a pattern of colored dots.
[0029] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes the
preferred structure and control system for the present invention.
However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such
discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that
various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein
without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *