GB2442533A

GB2442533A - Supportive insert for a pushchair

Info

Publication number: GB2442533A
Application number: GB0619662A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rachel Hinchliffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-05
Filing date: 2006-10-05
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-05
Also published as: GB2442533B; GB0619662D0

Abstract

A light and easily portable seat insert to improve the posture of a child sitting in a pushchair comprises: a base layer 1; a middle layer 4-7 which includes a plurality of repositionable foam body supports (e.g. for the pelvis, back, chest and head) encased by sheet of material; and a shaped top layer 8 in the form of a quilt or padded cover. The three layers are permanently secured together by two lines of stitching 10 running down the centre of the insert making it easy to fix into place and remove in one piece. The foam supports of the middle layer 4-7 may be detachably secured at different positions on the base layer 1 by a first hook and loop fastening arrangement. The upper layer 8 may also be secured to the middle layer 4-7 by a second hook and loop fastening arrangement which causes the whole insert to form a series of peaks and troughs which fit precisely to the body shape of a child. The support has holes 2 allowing it to utilise the straps of the pushchair to fix it into place. Additional supports such as pelvic and waist straps and back extensions may be added to make the support more versatile. The support may be laid flat to support the child in the lying position also.

Description

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The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: "Velcro" UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office dt A DT $ERVCE A Supportive Insert for a Pushchair This invention relates to an insert for a pushchair, which provides postural support to a young child or older children with a physical disability. It is now accepted by therapists, doctors and other health professionals, that postural support, which maintains body alignment, is important for children with disabilities. Maintaining good body alignment throughout the day as a child grows, prevents or slows the development of deformities and encourages the development of motor skills such as head control and hand function. It also puts the child in an optimum position for visual control and social interaction. Many pieces of equipment are available to provide support to children with special needs. These include seating systems, wheelchairs, standing frames, walkers and sleep systems. However there are a minimal number of supports which can be placed in a standard pushchair, of those that are available most are either minimally adjustable or else are cumbersome and difficult to use in every day situations.

To overcome this the present invention proposes a light and easily portable pushchair support, which can be individually adjusted by rolling supports against the child and by covering these in a shaped and quilted or padded cover which will prevent rubbing and discomfort from the supports and will be aesthetically pleasing. This cover attaches to the base layer using Velcro at the edges.

The layers of the support are sewn together down the centre in order that it can be removed from the pushchair in one piece. The entire support is made of machine washable material for easy cleaning.

The support has holes sewn in to the base through which the straps of a standard pushchair can be placed. These straps and the weight of the child hold the insert into place. Ties or other straps may be added to the insert as required in order to further secure it or in order to use the support in another chair such as on a dinning chair.

The insert has 5 levels of support, two rolls either side of the head, two at the chest, two at the lower back and two at the pelvis. There is also a wedge on the seat base between the legs, which is to prevent legs scissoring and to provide pelvic stability.

As many or as few of these supports may be used with the insert depending on the needs of the child. The support are all made from pressure relieving memory' foam which conforms to any pressure placed against it and then reforms to it's original shape once the pressure is released. This allows the child some movement and accommodates to any involuntary spasms, while repositioning the child back towards the original alignment they were positioned in, once they relax. The support is also able to open up in order that it will lay flatter when the pushchair back is reclined.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows the 3 layers that comprise the pushchair support Figure 2 shows an addition support which may be added in order to extend the height Figure 3 shows the addition of a strap Figure 4 shows the support used as a supine lying support Figure 5 shows the support used as a prone lying support Figure 1 shows a 3 layered design comprising a base layer (I) made of stiffened cotton or other firm fabric which forms the back and seat. In this holes (2) are stitched to fit the straps of a standard pushchair and Velcro hook fastener (3) is sewn.

A second layer compromising a layer of material that is stitched on the front with looped Velcro fastener. This encases a foam roll to be rolled or placed against the child and to be fixed into place with the Velcro. The 2nd layer includes a pelvic support (4),'a lower back support (5), chest support (6) and head support (7).

The top layer is formed of a shaped layer of quilted or other padded fabric (8) which goes over the rolled supports. This also includes a wedged shaped pocket at the front in the centre into which a folded roll support (9) can be inserted in order to abduct (separate) the legs. All three layers are stitched together with 2 lines of stitching down the centre of the pushchair support (10) The pushchair support may be up graded by the addition of an extra support at the top to accommodate a taller child, as in figure 2. Figure 3 shows that straps may also be added to the insert in order to provide additional support and security, for example and lap strap or cross harness across the chest. The supportive insert may also be laid flat in order to support the child in an aligned position in a supine (back) lying position as in figure 4 or a prone (tummy) lying position as in figure 5.

Claims

Claims I. A pushchair support, comprising a number of layers, which fix

into place supports that are positioned against the child
2. A pushchair support as in claim 1 which utilises pressure relieving foam rolls or other shapes, to support the child and accommodate to movement and muscle spasms, while returning the chid to an aligned position as they relax.
3. A pushchair support as in claim 1 in which the middle layer rolls back around a foam support in order to fix against the back support with Velcro or another similar fastener.
4. A pushchair support as in claim 2 and 3 where supports can be moved in or out and up or down in order to be fully adjustable to the individual and to accommodate to growth and postural abnormalities.
5. A pushchair support as in claim I where the whole support is covered in a quilted or other soft cover in order that the supportive insert forms a series of peaks and troughs in which the child is supported and protected from rubbing on the foam and Velcro supports
6. A pushchair support as in claim 1 which has holes positioned in the base layer so as to utilise the standard pushchair straps to secure it into place.
7. A pushchair support as in claim I which can be made to other size specifications in order to fit larger pushchairs or wheelchairs for persons with a physical disability.
8. A pushchair support as in claim 1 to which additional straps can be added to support the body and prevent slumping forwards.
9. A pushchair support as in claim 1, on which an additional section can be added to the top to support the head of taller children.
10. A pushchair support as in claim I which can also be laid flat in order to provide postural support to the child in lying positions. * * * S. S a a S * ..

10. A pushchair support which, once the foam supports are removed, is stitched together to compromise one piece of removable and fully washable material.

11. A pushchair support which can also be laid flat in order to provide postural support to the child in lying positions.

* Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Amended Claims 22/02/08 Claims I. A supportive insert for the occupant of a pushchair which comprises of three centrally stitched layers, including a stiffened base layer, a middle layer comprising strips of fabric which can be folded or rolled back on themselves to enclose a foam support and fix to the base layer using hook and loop fastener, a top padded layer is secured over the whole support; therefore forming a series of peaks and troughs in which the child is supported and protected from moving the foam supports or rubbing against the hook and loop fastener.

2. A pushchair support as in claim I which utilises pressure relieving foam rolls or other shapes secured between the base and middle layers at different body levels (head, trunk, pelvis, legs), to support the child and accommodate to movement and muscle spasms, while returning the child to an aligned position as they relax.

3. A pushchair support as in claim I and 2 where supports can be moved in or out and up or down in order to be fully adjustable to the individual and to accommodate to growth and postural abnormalities.

4. A pushchair support as in claim I which has holes positioned in the base layer with the middle and top layers shaped so as to utilise the standard pushchair straps to secure it into place.

5. A push chair support as in claim I, where the front of the seat has a centrally positioned pocket, within which a foam support can be placed in order to keep the occupants legs apart.

6. A pushchair support as in claim I which can be made to other size specifications in order to fit larger pushchairs or wheelchairs for persons with a physical disability.

* 7. A pushchair support as in claim I to which additional straps can be added to * support the body and prevent slumping forwards.

*. 8. Apushchairsupportasinclaim 1, on whichan additional section can be added to the top to support the head of taller children.

9. A pushchair support as in claim 1 which, once the foam supports are removed, is stitched together so that it is removable m one piece and is fully machine washable.