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Description  |
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FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention is related to a support article which is adapted to
be placed against a support such a car seat, infant carrier, stroller,
swing, etc. More particularly, the present invention concerns a support
article which is sized and adapted to engage an infant's head, neck and
shoulders when the infant is in a reposed position in order to provide
lateral stability to the infant's head and neck. The present invention is
further directed to a support article which is adapted to adjust to the
infant's head size to provide a comfortable, yet protective, support for
the infant as the infant grows to a small child.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Parents would undoubtedly agree that caring for an infant is quite a
formidable task. Proper caretaking requires a parent to devote much time,
effort and attention to an infant's needs, particularly during the early
stages of life. The activities and demands of every day life often make it
necessary, or more convenient, for small children to accompany their
parents during excursions such as shopping, traveling or work, to name
only a few. A major concern for parents during these times is to provide a
comfortable surrounding for the child. Even more importantly, these
accommodations need to be safe so that the child is less susceptible to
injury. Numerous safety guidelines have, in fact, been implemented to
ensure the infant is properly protected during travel.
Various infant carriers on the market today provide both comfort and
safety. These include car seats, strollers and swings, among others. A
problem with these carrier devices is that they sometimes do not provide
adequate cushioning support for newborn infants or young children who
require external additional support because the neck muscles have not yet
developed to the point where they, alone, can support the infant's head to
maintain it in an upright position.
In an effort to resolve this problem, various infant head support devices
have been developed for use in conjunction with infant carriers. These
devices generally employ a quilted pad which is sized to accommodate the
infant. This quilted pad includes a cushioned support pillow attached to
it in an upper region for providing support for the infant's head.
Typically, these support pillows are elongated members formed of a
resilient foam or fiber material. Many of these devices also are equipped
with a mechanism on the back of the pad for securing the support device to
the seat against which the infant rests. This mechanism is helpful in
preventing unnecessary movement of the support device during travel.
The infant support devices discussed above, while functional in their own
right, do have some disadvantages. For instance, some of these products
have a support pillow which tapers in width as it proceeds from the top of
the infant's head toward the neck and shoulder region, thereby providing
sufficient support only for the head region. As a result, there are
unsupported areas around the neck and shoulder region. While other devices
do not incorporate tapered support pillows, they still provide little
support the infant's neck because they are not designed engage this area;
thus, there is no restraint to prevent the neck from moving laterally. The
unfortunate result of this can be injury to the child. Another major
disadvantage of these products is their inability to accommodate for the
size of the infant's head as the infant grows. Rather, these are one size
fits all products with limited lifetimes of use.
Therefore, a need exists to provide an improved infant support article
which is better adapted to stabilize the infant's head therein. It is also
advantageous to provide a support article which is capable of providing a
cushioned support for the neck and shoulder region of the infant to better
maintain the infant's head in an upright and stable position. There is a
further need for such a support article to be adjustable in order to
accommodate the size of the infant head as he/she grows. The present
invention is particularly concerned with addressing these needs and
advantages.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful infant
head support device which can be placed on a support surface so that the
infant may be comfortably reposed thereon with his/her maintained in an
upright position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support device
for an infant which is designed to protectively cushion a neck and
shoulder region of the infant to better maintain the infant's head in an
upright position during use.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a head support
device which is adjustable to provide a comfortable, yet protective
support for the infant's head as he/she grows.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a head support
device for an infant which is lightweight and sufficiently compact so that
the device may be conveniently transported.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a head
support device for an infant which is adapted for use with various seating
structures such as car seats, infant carriers, strollers, swings, etc.
Accordingly, a support article of the present invention is hereinafter
described. The support article is adapted to engage an infant's head, neck
and shoulders in order to provide lateral stability to the infant's head
and neck. In its broadest form, the support article includes a pad adapted
to be positioned against a support and an upstanding support pillow. The
pad has a first surface upon which the infant can be placed and a second
surface opposite the first surface. It is preferred that the present
invention also include a first pair of cooperative first and second
fasteners and a second pair of cooperative first and second fasteners for
releasably securing the support pillow to the pad at adjustable positions.
The pad has a longitudinal axis and includes a an almost circular curved as
upper portion and a lower portion. The curved upper portion is defined by
an upper peripheral edge which extends around the majority of a circle and
the lower portion has a pair of lateral side edges parallel to the
longitudinal axis. The upper peripheral edge extends in an arcuate manner
to terminate at peripheral edge ends located laterally inward of the
lateral side edges. The lateral side edges are connected to the upper
peripheral edge by respective inwardly extending medial edges, each of
which is formed at an obtuse angle with respect to its respective side
edge. Thus, a pair of opposed V-shaped cut-outs are formed to define a
medial portion of the pad which is of a reduced transverse dimension with
respect to the upper and lower portions. It is preferred that the first
and second surfaces of the pad be formed by bottom and top layers that are
joined together by a seam and that have a quilted third layer located
therebetween. It is also preferred that the lower portion of the pad be
formed as a pair of spaced apart leg regions which are sized to
accommodate the infant's legs.
An upstanding support pillow is disposed along the upper peripheral edge of
the pad and includes a central portion which extends in an arcuate
configuration around a region that is sized and adapted to receive the
infant's head when the infant is in the reposed position. The support
pillow also includes a pair of end portions which are disposed on opposed
ends of the central portion, proximate to the medial portion, and project
in laterally outward directions from one another to define shoulder
supports which are adapted to be positioned against the infant's shoulders
when the infant is received within the region. Thus, it may be appreciated
that the combination of the central portion and the end portions provide
stability to the head and neck of the infant by resisting lateral movement
of the infant when the infant is in the reposed position. A hinge
structure is located in a spaced relation to the respective ends of the
support pillow and the central portion. These hinged structures can be
formed by affixing opposite sides of the support pillow together along
hinge lines. Preferably, the support pillow is an elongated tubular member
formed of a flame retardant material, such as a polyester fiber or
polyurethane foam, and is encased by fabric. Also, the support pillow has
a substantially unformed height relative to the pad.
The support article according to the present invention may also be adapted
to engage an infant's head, neck and shoulders in an adjustable manner to
thereby provide lateral stability to the infant's head and neck as the
infant grows. As such, the central portion of the support pillow is
secured to the pad along less than its complete arcuate dimension so that
it has free sections. The free end portions disposed on the opposed ends
of these free sections of the central portion, and the free end portions
have their proximal ends secured to the central portion and terminate in
free distal ends. Each of the free end portions is adjustably securable to
the pad by a first pair of cooperative first and second fasteners adapted
to releasably secure respective distal ends to the pad at respective
outboard locations and a second pair of cooperative first and second
fasteners adapted to releasably secure the respective proximal ends to the
pad at respective inboard locations. Each of the first and second pair of
cooperative fasteners includes a first fastener secured to a respective
end portion and a second fastener secured to the pad, whereby the first
fastener of each second pair of cooperative fasteners is matably securable
to the second fastener of each first pair of cooperative fasteners to
allow size of the region to the be altered. It is preferred that the first
pair of cooperative fasteners be located at respective junctures at the
lateral side edges and medial edges and that the second pair of
cooperative fasteners be located at respective junctures of the medial
edges and peripheral edge.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily
appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed
description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention when
taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a support
article of the present invention placed against a support structure in the
form of an infant carrier with an infant placed therein in a reposed
position;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support article of FIG. 1
showing both the pad and the support pillow;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the support article according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the pad used to form
the support article showing the quilted layer of material disposed between
its surfaces;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support pillow as taken along line
5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation of the support device according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention as used in conjunction with
the infant carrier of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a front view in elevation of the support article according to the
present invention showing the support pillow mounted on the pad in a first
portion; and
FIG. 8 is a front view in elevation of the support article showing the
support pillow mounted on the pad in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The support article of the present invention is adapted to engage an
infant's head, neck nd shoulders in order to provide stability to the
infant's head and neck when the when the infant is placed thereon against
a support. One of ordinary skilled in the art would appreciate that there
are numerous types of supports which may be used. By way of example only,
a support in the form of an infant carrier is employed for the description
of the exemplary embodiment.
Furthermore, while the support article of the present invention is
illustrated with reference to an infant being placed thereon in a seated
position, it should be understood that the article is equally well suited
for situations in which the infant is reclined against a support. Thus,
the present invention is described in the context of an infant in a
reposed position in order to contemplate all states of repose.
An exemplary embodiment of an infant support article 10 of the present
invention is introduced in FIGS. 1-8. Support article 10 is adapted to
support an infant against a support surface 20 of a support structure 22
such as the seat backing of a conventional infant carrier. Of course, it
should be understood that the present invention may be used in conjunction
with other types of support structures such as car seats, strollers,
swings, or the like. An important feature of support device 10 is its
ability to provide cushioned stability to the head 14, neck 16 and
shoulders 17 of infant 12. Support article 10 is sized and adapted so that
infant 12 can be placed thereon in a reposed state, such as the
semi-reclined reposed position of FIG. 1.
Support device 10 includes a pad 30 and an upstanding support pillow 60 as
best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Pad 30 has a periphery 33 and includes a
first surface 32 and a second surface 34. Pad 30 includes a curved upper
portion 40, formed by an upper peripheral edge 46, and a lower portion 42,
which is defined by a pair of lateral side edges 50 and 51 which are
parallel to a longitudinal axis "L" shown in FIG. 2. Peripheral edge 46
extends in a circular fashion less than a full circle, and terminates in
peripheral edge ends 58, 59 that are laterally inward of side edges 50 and
51. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, lower portion 42
is formed as a pair of spaced apart leg regions 48 and 49 separated by a
gap 43. Leg regions 48 and 49 are sized to accommodate the infant's legs
thereon. As shown in FIG. 4, pad 30 may include a quilted layer 36
disposed between bottom layer 33 and a top layer 35. Layers 33 and 35 are
further joined by a seam 38 located along periphery 33.
Upper portion 40 is connected to lower portion 42 by respective laterally
extending medial edges 52 and 53 which define a medial portion 44 of first
surface 32. Medial edges 52 and 53 are formed at obtuse angles "a" and
"b", respectively, relative to their associated side edges 50, 51 and
interconnect to edge ends 58, 59, respectively. Thus, a pair of opposed
V-shaped cut-outs 54 and 55 are formed along the lateral sides of support
article 10 so that medial portion 44 has a reduced transverse dimension
relative to upper portion 40 and lower portion 42.
An upstanding support pillow 60 includes a central portion 62 and a pair of
free end portions 70 and 72. Here, support pillow 60 is shown as an
elongated tubular member, but other types of construction of support
pillow 60 can certainly be utilized. Central portion 62 is configured as
an arcuate member having a curvature which follows that of curved upper
portion 40 of pad 30. Thus, central portion 62 extends around an open
region 24 that is sized and adapted to receive the infant's head 14 when
infant 12 is in a reposed position. End portions 70 and 72 are
respectively connected to opposed ends 64 and 66 of central portion 62 and
diverge from central portion 62 in laterally outward directions to define
shoulder supports which rest against the infant's shoulders 17 and 18. The
combination of end portions 70 and 72 and central portion 62 thus provide
cushioned stability to the head 14 and neck 16 of infant 12 by resisting
lateral movement. At juncture locations between end portions 70 and 72 and
opposed ends 64 and 66 are a pair of hinge structures 80 an 82. These may
be formed by affixing opposite sides 68 and 69 of said support pillow 60
together to form hinge lines such as by sewing.
As best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, support pillow 60 is
formed of a resilient material encased by fabric shell 92. While various
types of resilient material can be utilized to form support pillow 60, it
has been found that a flame retardant material is best for reasons of
safety, and this material may be a polyester fiber, polyurethane foam, or
such similar material. FIG. 5 also shows that support pillow 60 has a
circular cross-section 61 to give it a substantially uniform height
throughout. Unlike some existing infant head support devices which have
their support pillows gradually taper from a maximum cross-sectional width
in the top region 15 of the infant's head to their minimal width toward
the upper torso, this feature provides greater cushioning support to the
head, neck and shoulders of infant 12 so that lateral movement of the
infant's head 14 is resisted when the child is placed on support article
10 in a reposed position. This better prevents the chance of unnecessary
injury to infant 12.
Support pillow 60 is secured to pad 30 along a bottom margin 61 which can
be a hem formed when material 90 is encased in fabric shell 92.
Preferably, only part of central portion 62 is actually attached to pad 30
so that pillow 60 has unattached or free end sections 65 and 67 which
extend from hinge structures 80, 82 and the locations of attachment of the
central portion 62 as designated at 78 and 79, respectively. Thus, central
portion 62 is affixed to pad 30 continuously along the peripheral edge 46
between points 78 and 79. This allows the remaining portions of support
pillow 60 to be releasably securable to first surface 32 by a plurality of
cooperative fasteners, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. These cooperative
fasteners serve a dual function. First, they allow support article 10 to
be secured to support 20 of support structure 22. This is an important
need because most infant carrier devices require certain safety standards
to be met while the infant is being transported. In this embodiment, this
safety feature is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 by restraining straps 26 and 28
attached to support 20. By securing only part of central portion 62 of
support pillow 60 to pad 30, it is relatively easy to remove the
adjustable connectors to allow restraining straps 26 and 28 to be fed
through the cut-outs 54 and 55.
A second, heretofore unrecognized, benefit of the present construction is
to allow the size of region 24 to be changed so that the support device 10
may be adjusted to the size of the infant's head 14 as the infant grows.
FIG. 7 shows a first position of support pillow 60 and pad 30 which is
useful when the infant is only a few weeks old. In this configuration, the
size of region 24 is relatively small so that elongated support pillow 60
provides a close cushioned support to the infant's head 14, neck 16 and
shoulders 17. It may be seen that each of free end portions 70 and 72 has
a proximal end 74 and 75 respectively, located near its associated hinged
structure, 80 or 82. These proximal ends are connected to inboard
locations on the first surface 32 by a pair of cooperative first and
second fasteners 94 and 95. These cooperative fasteners allow proximal
ends 74 and 75 to be releasably secured to the first surface 32 at these
inboard locations. Another pair of cooperative first and second fasteners
96 and 97 are disposed along distal ends, 76 and 77 respectively, of free
end portions 70 and 72. These cooperative first and second fasteners are
adapted to releasably secure the distal ends of support pillow 60 to first
surface 32 at outboard locations thereof.
As infant 12 grows, however, it becomes necessary to increase the size of
region 24 so that support article 10 may comfortably accommodate yet
protect, infant 12 thereon. This second position is depicted in FIG. 8
where it may be seen that support pillow 60 is adjustably secured to pad
30 by securing first ones 94' and 95' of the first pair of cooperative
fasteners to the second ones 96' and 97' of the second pair of cooperative
fasteners at the outboard locations. Thus, support pillow 60 is no longer
secured to first surface at inboard locations and distal ends 76 and 77 of
free end portions 70 and 72 are also unsecured. This permits the
separation between end portions 70 and 72 to increase as they flare
laterally outwardly a greater distance by virtue of the outboard
locations. At the same time, the size of region 24 is also greater along
the curved upper portion 40 of pad 30 to accommodate the infant's head
size.
It should be understood, or course, that the adjustability of the present
invention should not be limited to two-stages. Rather, the invention
contemplates that the size of region 24 may be increased or decreased in
discrete amounts by employing additional releasable connectors. Moreover,
while the figures illustrate cooperating fasteners in the form of male and
female snap members, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art that other types of releasable connectors, such as Velcro.RTM. or
structure equivalents thereof may be employed.
Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of
particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is
defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so
that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiment of
the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts
contained herein.
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