Baby cover

Abstract

A baby cover has a rectangular section adapted to be placed on a mattress. A pair of straps is provided at opposite edges of the rectangular section and are adapted to be attached to a crib and, in addition, bands are provided in the region of each corner of the rectangular section, these being adapted to be passed beneath a corresponding corner of a mattress. The straps and bands serve to secure and maintain the rectangular section in requisite position on a mattress. A jacket-shaped section adapted to receive part of the upper anatomy of a baby and to be located above the rectangular section when the latter is on a matress is integrally connected to the rectangular section via a connecting section, and a continuous slit extends from the rectangular section to the jacket-shaped section. The slit permits a baby to be placed in the cover in such a manner that a lower part of the anatomy is below the rectangular section when the latter is on a mattress and an upper part of the anatomy is received in the jacket-shaped section. A zipper is provided for closing the slit after a baby has been placed in the cover so as to retain the baby in the cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION located positioned

The invention relates, in general, to a baby cover.

A baby cover which is placed over the mattress in a crib is known. Straps are provided at the longitudinally extending edges of the cover, and the straps are tied to the posts of the crib so as to prevent movement of the cover. The cover has a transversely extending slit and another slit extending normal thereto, that is, the two slits define a T-shaped configuration, and the latter slit is provided with a zipper. A plurality of bands is connected to the cover along the edges of the transverse slit. A jacket, which is discrete from the cover, is also provided and has corresponding bands connected thereto. A baby is placed in the jacket and then passed through the transverse slit in the cover so that the legs of the baby are beneath the cover and the head of the baby is above the latter, the baby being in a prone position. The bands on the jacket are now tied to the bands on the cover and, hence, the jacket and cover are releasably connected with each other. The zipper in the cover is pulled up to close the slit which extends normal to the transverse slit.

The construction just described has certain disadvantages, since the straps for preventing movement of the cover are provided at the longitudinal edges of the latter only, the cover is not securely fixed in position on the mattress. Furthermore, since the jacket and the cover are connected to one another via bands provided at the edges of the transverse slit in the cover on the one hand and corresponding bands provided on the jacket on the other hand, it is troublesome to connect the cover and the jacket. In addition, this connection does not insure a stable positioning of the baby because the bands may tear and because the bands provide too much play for the baby (the baby is able to move to either side by a substantial distance). Also, the above-described construction requires two zippers, one for the jacket and one for the cover. Finally, the baby lies partly on top of the cover and therefore has too much freedom of movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a novel baby cover.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a baby cover which may be securely fixed in position on a mattress.

Another object of the invention is to provide a baby cover which eliminates the need for tying the jacket and cover to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a baby cover which does not require separate zippers for the cover and the jacket.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a baby cover which will insure a stable positioning of a baby and does not permit excessive movement of a baby.

To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides a baby cover which comprises an at least substantially rectangular first section adapted to be placed on a mattress and having a first slit portion. Securing means is provided for securing the first section in requisite position on a mattress. The novel baby cover further includes a second section which is adapted to receive part of the upper anatomy of a baby and to be lcoated above the first section when the latter is placed on a mattress. The second section is provided with a second slit portion. A connecting section integrally connects the first and second sections and a third slit portion is provided and connects the first and second slit portions, the slit portions together defining a continuous slit extending from the first to the second section. A baby may be passed through the slit and positions in such a manner that a lower part of the anatomy is below the first section when the latter is on a mattress and an upper part of the anatomy is received in the second section. Closure means is provided for closing the slit after a baby has been placed in the cover so that the baby is retained in the cover.

The first section has a pair of spaced longitudinal edges and a pair of spaced transverse edges extending between the longitudinal edges, and the connecting section may be located closer to one than to the other of the transverse edges. The connecting section may be of annular configuration and may be connected to the first section along the entire extent of that edge portion thereof adjacent the first section. Preferably, the connecting section is composed at least in part of an elastic material. The connecting section has another edge portion located adjacent the second section and the latter, which may have the configuration of a jacket (or at least the upper portion of a jacket), may be connected to this edge portion along the entire extent of the latter.

The second section has an edge portion remote from the connecting section which may be adapted to embrace the neck of a baby, and the closure means may extend to this edge portion. The closure means may comprise a zipper.

The longitudinal and transverse edges of the first section define corners, and the securing means for the first section includes at least one band provided in the region of each of the corners. Each band extends between the respective corner defining edges, that is, each band extends diagonally between a longitudinal and a transverse edge of the first section. The bands are adapted to be passed beneath corresponding corners of a mattress for the purpose of securing the first section in position thereupon.

A strip may be provided across the connecting section so as to define therewith an opening through which a band may be passed extending in a direction from one to the other of the longitudinal edges of the first section. This band may be secured to the first section in the region of the longitudinal edges thereof and at such locations that, when the first section is placed on a mattress, the strip and the locations at which the band is secured to the first section lie on a substantially straight line. The securing means may further include a pair of straps connected to the band and which are adapted to be attached to a crib (for example, the posts of a crib) for securing the cover in requisite therein.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The single FIGURE is a general view of a baby cover according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, it may be seen that the baby cover is identified generally by the reference numeral 1. The cover 1 includes a section 3 which is adapted to be placed on a mattress, the section 3 having a size which corresponds substantially to that of a child's mattress. The section 3 is of substantially rectangular configuration and has a pair of spaced longitudinally extending edges 5 and a pair of spaced transverse edges 2 extending between the edges 5. The edges 2 and 5 together define the four corners of the section 3, and the latter is provided with a slit portion 18.

The cover 1 further includes a section 7 which is here illustrated as having the configuration of a jacket or, at least, the configuration of an upper portion of a jacket. The section 7, which is adapted to receive part of the upper anatomy of a baby or child and is also adapted to be located above the section 3 when the latter is on a mattress, has an edge portion 15 remote from the section 3 which is adapted to embrace the neck of a baby. The edge portion 15, which is advantageously composed of an elastic material, is integrally connected with the section 7. The section 7 also has additional edge portions 9 defining openings through which the arms of a baby may be passed, and the edge portions 9, which are also advantageously composed of an elastic material, are likewise integrally connected with the section 7. The front of the section 7, indicated at 8, is provided with a slit portion 19.

The cover 1 also comprises a section or band 6 intermediate the sections 3 and 7 which is preferably composed, at least in part, of an elastic material. The section 6 is here shown as having a generally annular configuration, and the edge portion thereof adjacent the section 3 is integrally connected with the latter along the entire extent of this edge portion. The section 6 has another edge portion adjacent the section 7 and the sections 6 and 7 are integrally connected along the entire extent of this edge portion. It will be appreciated that the section 6 constitutes a connecting section integrally connecting the section 3 with the section 7. It will also be seen from the FIGURE that the section 6 is located closer to one of the transverse edges 2 of the section 3 than to the other of the transverse edges 2, although this need not necessarily be so. A slit portion 20 connects the respective slit portions 18 and 19 of the sections 3 and 7, and the slit portions 18, 19 and 20 together define a continuous slit extending from the section 3 to the section 7. A baby may be passed through the slit 18, 19, 20 and positioned in such a manner that a lower part of the anatomy is located below the section 3 when the latter is on a mattress and that an upper part of the anatomy is received in the section 7.

Closure means is provided for closing the slit 18, 19, 20 after a baby has been placed in the cover 1 in the manner just described and it may be seen that the closure means includes a single zipper 21 extending from the section 3 to the section 7. Although this need not necessarily be so, the zipper 21 is here shown as extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges 5 of the section 3 and as being located substantially midway therebetween. The zipper 21 extends along the front 8 of the section 7 to the edge portion 15 of the latter and it will be appreciated that when the slit 18, 19, 20 has been closed by the zipper 21, a baby which has been placed in the cover 1 will be retained therein. The section 7 may also be provided with a strap 16 adapted to extend across the slit portion 19 and be engaged by a button 17 as an aid in closing the slit 18, 19, 20, although this is not necessary for the invention.

In the region of each corner of the section 3 there is provided a pair of bands 4 each of which extends from a longitudinal edge 5 of the section 3 to a respectively adjacent transverse edge 2 thereof or, in other words, the bands 4 extend in somewhat of a diagonal direction. Although two of the bands 4 will usually be provided in the region of each corner of the section 3, it is sufficient if at least one of the bands 4 is provided in the region of each of these corners. The bands 4 are adapted to be passed beneath corresponding corners of a mattress when the section 3 is placed thereupon and will serve to secure the section 3 (or the cover 1) in position on the mattress. It is advantageous when the respective bands 4 of a pair are not parallel to one another, that is, it is advantageous for the respective bands 4 of a pair to extend at an angle to each other. The bands 4 are favorably composed of an elastic material, for example, the bands 4 are favorably in the form of rubber bands or the like.

The cover 1 is also provided with a strip 11 which advantageously extends across the section 6 as shown and defines an opening therewith. A band 10 extends through this opening in a direction from one to the other of the longitudinal edges 5 of the section 3 and the band 10 is secured to the latter in the region of the respective longitudinal edges 5, for instance, by sewing. The locations at which the band 10 is secured to the section 3 are indicated by the reference numeral 12 and the locations 12 are favorably so selected that these and the strip 11 lie on a substantially straight line when the section 3 is placed on a mattress. A pair of straps each including two strap portions 14 is connected with the band 10, one strap being provided at either side of the strip 11. The strap portions 14 are here illustrated as being connected with the band 10 in the region of the longitudinal edges 5 of the second 3. The strap portions 14 are adapted to be tied or attached to a crib, for example, to the edge of a crib or to the posts thereof, and serve to secure the cover 1 firmly in the crib and, simultaneously, to firmly retain a baby which has been placed in the cover 1. Advantageously, the strap portions 14 are releasably connected with the band 10 such as, for instance, via buckle-like or catch-like connecting members 13. It will be appreciated that the bands 4 and the strap portions 14 constitute securing means for securing the cover 1 or the section 3 in requisite position on a mattress.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of construction and uses differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a baby cover it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A baby cover, comprising a blanket-shaped first member, adapted to be placed on a mattress; a discrete jacket-shaped second member including a neck section, two arm sections, and a bottom portion, said second member being located above said first member when the latter is placed on a mattress; a connecting portion comprising an annular band composed at least in part of elastic material, and having a first edge portion connected with said bottom portion of said second member, and a second edge portion connected with said first member along the entire extent of said second edge portion; a slit portion, including zipper closure means, extending from said neck section of said second member to said bottom portion of said second member, through said connection section, and into and terminating in said first member, thereby defining a continuous slit extending from said second member to said first member through which a baby may be passed and positioned with the upper parts of its anatomy received in said second member, and the lower part of its anatomy being located beneath said first member when the latter is on a mattress.

2. A cover as defined in claim 1, said first members having a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, and a pair of spaced transverse edges extending between said longitudinal edges; and wherein said connecting portion is located closer to one than to the other of said transverse edges.