Bottle Holder

Abstract

A holder for suspending an infant's bottle from the rail of an enclosure containing an infant to enable unattended feeding of the infant. The holder comprises a collar in which the bottle is clamped, a yoke mounting the collar for restrained pivotal movement on a horizontal axis and an adjustable arm assembly pendulously mounting the yoke on one end. The arm assembly is mounted at its other end into the rail by means of a bracket which permits pivotal movement on a vertical axis so that the bottle and holder may be displaced toward the side of the enclosure when the feeding is finished.

Description

The present invention relates to apparatus for holding an infant's bottle to enable the infant to feed from the bottle with a minimum of parental assistance.

Apparatus is disclosed in the prior art for positioning an infant's bottle in his crib or enclosure to enable the infant to feed therefrom. Examples of apparatus of this type are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,826,810, 1,863,163, and 2,110,037. In the first two of the aforementioned patents, a bottle is suspended from a bow arcing between the sidewalls of an infant's enclosure. In each of these structures, the bottle is secured in a semifixed position in the enclosure, the position being determined by the parent when initially disposing the bottle in the enclosure. Thus, should the infant tend to turn or move away from the bottle before it is emptied of its contents, the infant would be unable to capture the bottle in his new position to resume feeding. Accordingly, periodic inspection of the infant's enclosure must be made by the parent to ensure that the infant has access to its bottle. In addition, the inflexible holder disclosed in these two patents may pose a hazard to the infant's safety. Moreover, in the aforementioned patents it is impossible for the infant to grasp and manipulate the bottle while feeding.

With foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus for positioning an infant's bottle within the infant's enclosure to enable the infant to feed therefrom with a minimum of parental assistance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved holder for an infant's bottle to enable displacement of the bottle and holder into a storage location after feeding.

As a further object, the present invention provides a unique bottle holder which enables an infant to grasp and manipulate its bottle before the infant has matured enough to hold the bottle by itself.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide inexpensive bottle-holding apparatus which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

As still another object, the present invention provides an insulated infant's bottle holder fabricated of low-density material to reduce conductive heat transfer from the bottle.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a new infant's bottle holder made of basic geometric shapes of various colors to enhance the educational experiences of the infant.

More specifically, the present invention provides improved apparatus for holding an infant's bottle within the infant's enclosure to enable the infant to feed therefrom with a minimum of parental supervision. The apparatus comprises a collar mounting a bottle therein by means of a threaded clamping operator and a yoke mounting the collar for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis. Means is provided to engage the collar and the yoke for locking the collar in selected angular positions therein. The yoke is connected to one end of an arm assembly for free pivotal movement on horizontal and vertical axes and the other end of the arm assembly is clamped onto the side rail of the infant's enclosure by means of a bracket. The arm assembly is slotted lengthwise and engaged by a bolt and threaded element to enable its length and disposition in the enclosure to be adjusted. Also, the bracket mounts the arm assembly for free pivotal movement on a vertical axis and for limited pivotal movement on a horizontal axis, the bracket having a turret engaging the assembly to apply a clamping action thereagainst for locking it in selected positions on its horizontal pivotal axis.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in reduced scale illustrating bottle holding apparatus embodying the present invention, the apparatus being shown mounted on the side rail of an infant's crib with an infant feeding from a bottle mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 illustrating a collar for mounting the infant's bottle; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating a modified form of collar.

Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an enclosure 10 in which an infant 11 is confined. The enclosure 10, in the present instance a conventional crib, has a rail 12 extending along the sides thereof a spaced distance above the mattress or pad 13 of the crib. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a bottle holder 14 having an arm assembly 15 connected to the siderail 12 and extending inwardly from the side rail 12 toward the center of the enclosure to dispose a bottle 16 adjacent to the infant 11.

As noted heretofore, prior art bottle holders have not been entirely satisfactory as the infant matures. One reason is because each mounts the infant's bottle in a semifixed position in the crib, thereby preventing the infant from manipulating the bottle in a natural manner when feeding. Moreover, when he has finished feeding, prior art holders have not permitted movement of the bottle into a storage position in the crib.

The present invention obviates the foregoing disadvantages by providing novel bottle holding apparatus which enables the infant to manipulate its bottle while feeding. To this end, a collar 20 is provided to mount the bottle 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The collar 20 has a square aperture 21 therein which is shaped to slidably receive the bottle 16 which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a square transverse cross section. When hexagonally shaped bottles are employed, however, it may be preferable for the collar 20 to have a hexagonal aperture 121 as illustrated in the modified embodiment of FIG. 5, although such aperture shape is not absolutely required as long as the square aperture is sufficiently large to accommodate a hexagonally shaped bottle.

The bottle 16 is releasably mounted in the collar 20. For this purpose, means is provided to apply a clamping action against the sides of the bottle 16 in the collar 20. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the clamping action is effected by means of an externally threaded operator 40 threadedly received in the top of the collar 20. The operator has a knurled knob 41 to facilitate its rotation, and the operator also has a resilient pad 42 which engages the outside of the bottle. Thus, rotation of the knob 41 in the clockwise direction (FIG. 3) causes its pad 42 to engage the bottle 16 and clamp it into the collar 20, and rotation of the knob 41 in the opposite or counterclockwise direction causes the pad 42 to disengage the bottle 16 for unclamping it from the collar. In this manner, the bottle may be expeditiously mounted and dismounted in the apparatus.

The angle of inclination of the bottle 16 in the crib may be adjusted to facilitate access thereto by the infant. For this purpose, the collar 20 is mounted in a yoke 50 for limited pivotal movement on a horizontal axis. As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the collars 20 and 120 each have a stub shaft 25 and 125 journaled in their supporting yokes 50 and 150, respectively. Each collar also has an internally threaded bore coaxial with the stub shaft on the opposite side of the collar and threadedly receiving an externally threaded fastener 26 and 126 having knurled portions 27 and 127 respectively. In addition, the collar 120 has a threaded operator 140 which operates like the operator 40 to clamp and unclamp a bottle therein. With this structure, the angular relation of the collar 20 or 120 to its mounting yoke 50 or 150 may be adjusted by pivoting the collar on its axis and rotating the fastener 26 or 126 in selected opposite directions to effect the required locking and unlocking actions.

In accordance with the present invention, the bottle 16 is mounted in its holder in a manner which enables the infant to manipulate it in a natural manner while feeding as he matures. To this end, means is provided to mount the yoke 50 for free pivotal movement on both horizontal and vertical axes in the infant's enclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the yoke mounting means comprises a clevis 60 formed on one end of the arm assembly 15 and a tab 65 projecting upwardly into the clevis 60 and pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin 66. The yoke 50 is rotatably secured to the tab 65 by means of an externally threaded stud 67 depending downwardly from an integral shoulder 68 on the tab. The stud 67 extends through a bore in the top of the yoke 50 and is engaged by an internally threaded acorn or lock-type nut 69. With this structure, the collar 20 and the bottle 16 mounted therein may pivot freely on horizontal and vertical axes without altering the tilt of the bottle. As a result, an infant may manipulate the bottle 16 while feeding even before achieving the degree of physical maturation which would normally be required to enable the infant to hold the bottle 16 without assistance.

The bottle holder of the present invention may be used in a variety of infant's enclosures having a range of sizes. For this purpose, the length and disposition of the arm assembly 15 is adjustable. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm assembly comprises a pair of flat elongated arms 70 and 71, the arm 70 being connected at one end to the yoke 50 through the clevis and tab assembly carried thereon, and the arm 71 being connected at one end to a bracket 80 on the siderail 12. Each arm 70 and 71 has an elongated slot 72 and 73 respectively extending lengthwise therein. The arms 70 and 71 are disposed side-by-side and are interconnected by a bolt 74 having its head engaging the side of the arm 70 and threadedly carrying an internally threaded and externally knurled element 75 engaging the side of the other arm 71. In the illustrated embodiment, the bolt 74 has a boss 76 adjacent its head which engages in the slot 72 in the arm 70 to prevent the bolt from rotating when the knurled element 75 is rotated. With this structure, rotation of the knurled element 75 in selected opposite directions causes the arms to be locked or unlocked to enable the arm assembly 15 to be adjusted so that the location of the bottle 16 in the crib may be varied.

In accordance with another object of the present invention, the bottle-holding apparatus is portable and enables the bottle to be displaced into a storage position by the infant when the infant is finished feeding. To this end, means is provided to mount the arm assembly 15 for free pivotal movement on a vertical axis. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the bracket 80 has a C-shaped clamping element 81 threadedly mounting an externally threaded and knurled operator 82 projecting upwardly in the lower jaw of the element 81. The operator 82 has a resilient pad 83 on its terminus for engaging the underside of the rail 12, and the inside of the upper jaw of the element 81 has a series of teeth 84, 84 which engage and grip the top side of the rail 12. The arm assembly is mounted to the clamping element 81 by means of a bifurcated turret 90 which rotates on an upstanding pin 91 and is secured against vertical displacement to the pin 91 by a snap ring 92. The arm assembly 15 is clamped in selected positions in the turret 90 by means of a bolt 93 and knurled nut 94 which pass through the arm 71 and the turret 90 to engage opposite sides thereof for effecting a clamping action when the nut 94 is rotated. The confronting inner surfaces of the turret are also knurled to provide increased friction and improve the locking action effected. Thus, with this structure, disposition of the arm assembly 15 in the enclosure may be readily adjusted, and it may be freely pivoted on the vertical axis of the bracket 80 into the storage position (illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1) which is away from the infant's sleep or play area of the crib.

The materials from which the apparatus of the present invention are fabricated are preferably low-density molded plastic to reduce both the cost of the apparatus and the conductive transfer of heat from the bottle 16. Moreover, the all plastic construction is resistant to damage caused by possible harsh treatment of the apparatus by the infant. Also, the collar 20, the yoke 50, the arm assembly 15, and the bracket 80 are preferably multicolored to enhance the appearance of the apparatus and to increase the educational experiences of the infant.

In use, the bracket 80 is clamped onto the side rail of the infant's crib 10. The bottle 16, filled with liquid food, is clamped onto the collar 20 upon rotation of the operator 40 in the proper direction. The length and disposition of the arm assembly 15 is also adjusted and set by rotation of the knurled element 75 and nut 94. The bottle 16 may then be disposed adjacent the infant 11 when the arm assembly 15 is pivoted outwardly on the bracket 80. When the infant is finished feeding from the bottle 16, the entire bottle holder assembly may be displaced into its storage position adjacent the side of the enclosure by the infant or by its parent.

In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that an improved bottle holder has now been provided to enable an infant to feed from its bottle with a minimum of parental assistance and supervision. The freedom for movement enables the bottle to be displaced as the infant moves or if the infant determines to reject the bottle, avoiding the necessity for the parent or babysitter making readjustments, since the tilt of the bottle is maintained at the proper angle for proper feeding.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, various modifications, alterations or changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for securing an infant's bottle to an enclosure containing the infant to enable manipulation of the bottle as the infant feeds therefrom, comprising: a collar for slidably receiving the bottle, means carried by the collar for clamping the bottle therein, a yoke mounting said collar for pivotal movement on a substantially horizontal axis, means engaging said yoke and said collar to lock said collar in a preselected pivotal position with respect to said yoke, an adjustable arm assembly having means supporting said yoke at its free end, and a bracket connected to the other end of said assembly to mount said assembly to the enclosure for free pivotal movement on a substantially vertical axis and for limited pivotal movement on a substantially horizontal axis, said means supporting said yoke on the free end of said arm assembly affording free pivotal movement of said yoke on substantially horizontal and vertical axes and including a clevis carried on said free end of the arm assembly, a tab projecting upwardly into said clevis, a pin extending through said clevis and said tab, said tab having a downwardly depending stud, said yoke having a bore rotatably receiving said stud, and an internally threaded member threadedly carried on said stud to mount said yoke to said tab and arm assembly.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said collar locking means includes a stub shaft on said collar engaging said yoke, and internally threaded bore in said collar coaxial with and opposite to said stud shaft, an externally threaded fastener threaded into said bore and engageable against the outside of the yoke upon rotation thereof in one direction, whereby a friction clamping action is provided between the yoke and the collar upon rotation of said threaded fastener.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bottle-clamping means includes an externally threaded operator threadedly engaged by said collar and operable upon rotation in selected opposite directions to clamp and unclamp the bottle in the collar.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least the collar is of plastic construction having heat-insulating properties.

5. In an infant's bottle holder including a collar for receiving a bottle, means carried by the collar for clamping the bottle therein, an adjustable arm assembly for mounting the collar, and a bracket for mounting the arm assembly to an infant's enclosure, the improvement wherein: said adjustable arm assembly includes a pair of arms each having a flat side with an elongated slot extending lengthwise therein, a bolt extending through the slot in each arm, and an internally threaded element threadedly carried by the bolt to retain the flat sides in flush engagement and operable upon rotation in selected opposite directions to unlock and lock said arm; and said bracket includes a C-shaped clamp engageable against a rail of the enclosure, said clamp having an upwardly projecting pin, a bifurcated turret rotatably mounted on said pin, said turret and arm assembly having aligned bores receiving a bolt and nut assembly operable to displace the turret against the arm assembly for effecting a clamping action, whereby the disposition of the arm assembly may be adjusted.