GB2528763A

GB2528763A - An auxiliary cover for apparatus for receiving a child

Info

Publication number: GB2528763A
Application number: GB1509750.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amy Murray Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-05
Filing date: 2015-06-03
Publication date: 2016-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-03
Also published as: GB2528763B; GB201410043D0; GB201509750D0

Abstract

The present invention discloses an auxiliary cover 20 suitable for protecting a child seated within a buggy 2 wherein the fabric cover 24 comprises a retainer portion 26 which in use extends over a hood 16 part of the buggy, a further depending portion 28 hangs from said retainer portion. Both retaining and depending portions are stitched together 30 causing a concave curvature to form that fits over buggies of different widths. A first strip member 22 extends transversely across the depending portion so that it divides the depending portion into an upper part 36 to keep the fabric away from the face of a child. Additionally the retainer portion may have a free end which is straight when compared with the curved line of the stitching. The first strip member may be inserted and removed into the cover by means of a first sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve may be formed by a pocket portion of the cover. The fabric cover may also additionally contain a window made of mesh and covered by a rollable blind. The retaining means may also be a strip or a plurality of magnets.

Description

AN A UXILIARY COVER FOR

APPARAtUS FOR RECEIVING A CHILL.

This inventiän rélatés to an auxiliary cover for apparatus br receiving a child. The apparatus forreceiving the child may be a carriage fora child, or a baby car seat fcr a.Ohild; Carriages for a child are well known The carriages may be in various forms and known. as buggies, strollers, pushchairs and prams. The carriages comprise a frame, a reception portion for receiving a child, wheels, handle means for pushing the carriage, and a hood The hood is required for use in providing protection for the child in inclement weather such for example as * rain. The hood is alsOknown as a cover or a rain cover.

The above mentioned known carriages are abI* *to provide a basic en. . * level of care for a....:o.hiId. There are however ofteh occasions when a greater level of care for the child is required For example, if a child needs to sleep, then the chil&thaneéd t be. isolated as mudh as possible from stimulus from the exterrálenvirOhment. Also, there may be obcasions when the child needs iriiproved protection from inclement weather such for example as wind and light rain showers. There may also be occasions en the child needs proteätion from ultraviOlet Eadiation and/Or direct sunlight; Auxiliary covers are known for use with the known carriages in order to enable the carriages to provide the greater level of child care. The known auxiliary covers are such that they are often difficult to secure to the carriage This is especially so when the auxiliary covers are retluired to be secured to the cardage a.t time i heh the person caring for the child is oUt with thechild and may be in acrowded.place; and perhaps:hOlding shopping. Further, The auxiliary covers often do:not fit neatly to thecarriage Still further, the known auxiliary covers are often unable to fit buggies of different sizes It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Aocordiniy, in One noniimiting embbdimeht of the present invention there is provided an auxiliary cover for apparatus for receiving a child, which apparatus comprises a reception portion for the child, and which auxiliary

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S..... -- * * cover comprises:. * *5 * . .

*5S. - * (I) a first strip menber; and S..

(ii) a cover fabric: 5.5* and:the wtiliaytOerbeihg such that (iii) the ôover fèbric has a rEtainer portion whioh in use extends over a hood Øá fthe àpparatUs for reôeiving a child;: (iv)-the cover fãbEic hés a depending portion Which in uS-hangs from the retainer portiort - (v) the retainer portion and the depending portion are separate pieces of fabric which are joined tOgether by a line of stitching; (vi) the line of stitching extends in a curve which causes the retainer portion and the adjacent part of the depending portion to be curved, (vii) *the curved rétäinër portion and the adjacent part of the depending portion define a concaVe shape which is able to fit over buggies of different widths,and such that the sides Of the curved retainer portion and the adjacent part of the depending portion extend along the sides of the buggy; (viii) the first strip member extends transversely across the depending portion such that it divides the depending portion into an upper part which extends between the first strip member and the tine of stitching,

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* and älower pättwhiOh hangs from the firstitrip nienibér; and * * * * * *** (ix) the firststripmember is concave so thatit hOldsthedependfrig portion away from thèfàce *of**achild in theappàtatus.

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* The auxiliary cover of the present invention is advantageous in that it may be used on a wide variety of carriages including buggies, strollers, pushchairs-ard prérris. The jetairier portion of the cóvér fabric enables the auxiliary cover easily to be placed on the carriage as and when required The concave shape of the curved retainer portion and the adjacent part of the depending portion -enables the auxiliary cover to fit over buggies of different widths, and suth that-the sides of the curved retainer portion andthe adjadent part of the depéndfriQ portion extend along the sides of the buggy. Thus the auxiliary coVer Of the present inventiOn is not only able to fit buggies of different itis able to fit neatly subh that it bxtèñds along the side of the carriage, and thus has a pleasing aerodynamic shape on the carriage, irrespective of the width of the carriage The auxihary cover of the present invention is further advantageous in that the first strip member ensures that the depending portion of the cover fabric during use of the auxiliary cover is held away from the face of a child, and thus does not possibly touch the child and irritate the child Advantageously, the auxiliary cover of the present invention is also able to be used with the apparatus for receiving a child being in the form of a baby car seat In this case, the auxiliary cover is also able to be easily attached to the baby car seat, to fit to baby car seats of different widths, and 0*** * to be éuch thatthè*itrip member prevents the dover frOm touching. the faceof the. child and possibly irritating the child.

* The aüxiliár9 cover may ibe one itiwhichtheretainer portion has a free edge which is straight when compared with the curved line of the stitching *** . .--. -. -. -.. H -The auxiliary cover may be one in which the cover fabric is attached to the first strip member by the cover fabric having a first sleeve portion, and in which the first strip member passes into the first sleeve portion The first strip member may be removable from the first sleeve portion This facilitates washing of thé< auxiliary cover. without the* **firs strip member being present.

The first sleeve portion may be formed by a pocket portion of the cover fabric.

If desired, the first strip member may be permanently secured in the first sléevb portion.

The auxiliary cover may be one in which the first strip member is made of a flexible material which is able to be secured to the cover fabric such that the first strip member is*maintained in the required curve. The flexible material may be, for example, .a.plastids material. The first strip member may thus be moulded as a straight flexible strip of plastics miterial which is maintained in the required curved shape when it is secured to the cover fabric, for example by being in the first sleeve portion or by being attached to the cover fabric by some Other. attáchrnènt*.rnSns.

The auxiliary cover preferably includes attachment members for attaching the sides of the auxiliary cover to the apparatus The attachment * * :.: * members may be tie members, or self-attaching members such for example

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*flS** - * as members made of Velóro (Registered Trade Mark).

The.aüxilfrV dover of the present ihventi may include a window. The window may be a --mesh fabric window: Other fyés of -window nay be *5S* employed so that, for example, the window may:be made from a Oontinuous * single sheet of ttansØarent plastics material.

The auxiliary covet may include a blind for the window. The blind may be one which is abletd be folded up toà :raisedposition in which the blind doS not coverthe-wihdov.,-and in which the blind is also such that it does not have retainer means for retaining the blind in the -raised pOsition. Retainer means may be provided if desired. The blind may be made of the same material aè the-cover fabric. Alternatively anOther type of material may be employed.

The auxiliary cover may include magnetic retainer means for retaining the auxiliary cover in position on the apparatus The magnetic retainer means may cornprise*a plurality Of separate magnets, or it rnàytomprise a single strip magnet.

The auxiliary ôover may be one in which the cover fabric is of a wide variety of materials, colours and patterns. The auxiliary cover may be made Of a waterproof plastics material, a mosquito netting cover material, or a blackout complete light fabric cover material The auxiliary cover may be used for one or more purposes including a cover for child calming, a rain cover, a sun cover, a wind cover, a sleet cover, a snow cover, or a mosquito cover The auxiliary àover may be one in which the apparatus is a carriage, and in which.thecárrithge comprises wheels, andhandlé means for pushing *r the carriage Alternatively, the auxiliary cover may be one in which the apparatuS is a baby car seat and in which the baby car seat comprises handle means for carrying the baby car seat The auxiliary cover may also be used with other types of apparatus for receiving a child, and where the child may benefitfrom the use of theauxiliary cover, for examplefOr aiding sleep or providing protection from the sun Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and *ith reference to the accompanying. drawings in which: FigUre 1 is a perspective view of known apparatus for receiving a child, and with the known. apparatus being in the form of a buggy, and having a hood in an Unfoldedcbndition; Figure 2 is a perspective view like Figure 1, but shows the apparatus with itshoOd ma fok.led.condition; Figure 3 showé The apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 and provided with a known auxiliary cover; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first auxiliary cover of the present invention, with the auxiliary cover being shown in a fully deployed condition, Figure 5 is a perspective view like Figure 4 but shows the auxiliary cover in a partially deployed condition, Figdté6isaviSlike Figure 4 but shows the auxiliary cover in a non-deployed condition, *r": Figure 7 Is a perspective side view of the. auxiliary àover as shown in : .". Figure 4; -. .:.... .--:.Y --. -.

* Figure 8 is a perspective view from the rear of the auxiliary cover as " shown in Figure 7 and with the auxiliary cover in its fully closed condition, Figure 9 is a perspective view from the rear and which is similar to Figure 8 but shoWsa mesh window of the auxiliary-cover; Figure 10 shows the auxiliary cover of Figure 7 and laid flat, and illustrates how the auxiliary cover is cut on a.curvé:àt its top;: Figure 11 is a perspective view on the rear of the cover in a bonnet modeofuse; . Figure 12 illUstrates how the auxiliary cOver shown in Figure 4 is formed of a rétàiner pOrtion and a depending portion, which are two piedes of fabric which are joined together by a line of stitching, with the line of stitching extending-in a cUrve; Figure 13 is a perspective view of an auxiliary cover like that shown in Figure 4 and on a carriage in the form of a buggy; Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the auxiliary cover shown in Figure 1.3 butfrornthe dppo site side to.that shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 isa perspective view from the front and one side of a second auxiliary cover of the invention, and illustràtés how the auxiliary cover is provided with a first strip member, Figure 16 shows how*magnetic retainer means in the form a strip is able to be inserted intO a second pocket in theuxili cover shown in Figure.

* .* . . . *0* 1 Figure 17.uis..i. longitudinal cross section *throUghthe rnagnetió retainer means shown iriFi9ure 16; . *r Figure 18 shows an alternative magnetic retainer means, and :: Figure 19 shows an auxiliary cover of the present invention, and for * * use on apparàtUsforreceivitig a child in the formof a baby car seat.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown known apparatus in the form df abügy 2 for receiving a child 4. The buggy 2 comprises a frame 6, a reception portion 8. for the child 4, a lower body cover10, wheels 12, and handle means 14 for pushing the buggy 2. the buggy 2 coriiprises a hood part 16 for use. in providing protection for the child 4 in inclement weather such for example as rain. Figure 1 shows the hood part 16 in an unfolded condition. FigUre.2 shows the hood part 16 in a folded cañdition. Figure 3 shows the hOgd part 16 in an unfolded conditionas in Figure 1, and with the buggy 2 also being provided with a known auxiliary cover 18. The auxiliary cover 18. gives complete protection tothe child 4, for exáthplê from the sun.

However, the cover 18 is awkward to rnount.on the frame 6 of the buggy 2.

More specifica!ly, the cover 18 may have multiple attathments which can be time consuming to attach to the frame 6 The multiple attachments may also be awkward to ãftach if a pSrson looking after the child 4 is required to be holding the child 4 in ôhe hand or is alternatively required to be holding shopping in one hand. The cover 18 does not fit Onto a wide variety of buggies of different widths Also, where the cover 18 is able to fit onto buggies of different widths, it is not able to do so in an aesthetic pleasing aerodynamic-looking manner.

* Referring now to Figures 4 -15, there is shown an auxiliary cover 20 of the present invention. For ease of comparison and* ndrtanding, the auxiliary cover 20 is shown fitted to the buggy 2. The auxiliary cover 20 comprises a first stripm ember 22 and a cover fabrIc 241 Th! cover fabric 24 has atetaih&pOrlhh26 which in use extends over the hOod part 16 of the buggy2. The cover fabric 24 ha! a depending portion 28 vhibh in use hangs from the retainer portion26.

The retainer portiOn 26 and the depending portiOn. 28 are separate pieces pf fabric Which are joined together by a line of stitdhing 30. The line of stitching 30 extends in a curve which causes the retainer portion 26 and the adjacent part of the depending portion 28 to be curved. The curved retainer portion 26 and theat.jacent part of the depending portion 28define a concave shape which is able to fit. over buggies of different widths, and such that the sides 32 of the curved retainer portion 26 and the adjacent part of the depending portion 28 extend along the sides 34 of the buggy 2.

The first strip member 22 extends transversely across the depending portiOn 28 such *thatit.d ivides the depending: portion 28 into an uØer part 36 which extends between the first strip member 22 and the line of stitching 30, and a Iowèr.part 38 which hangs from the first strip member 22. The first strip mémber22 is cbnOSvè so that it holds the depeñdihg portion 28 away from the face 40 of the child 4 in the buggy 2 The depending portion 28 may create a wbmb-likêenvironmenit for the child 4, with any desired colours and/or patterns.

The retainer portion 26 has a free edge 42 which is straight when compared with the curved line of stitching 30.

the cover fabric 24 is attached to the first strip member 22 by the cover fabric24 having afirst. sleeve pOrtion 44. The firét strip rnember22 passes into the first sleeve portion 44 The first stnp member 22 is removable from the first sleeve ortion 44. This enables the auxiliary cover 20 to be waShed without the first strip member 22bé fig present. The first strip member 22 may also provide added versatility by being able to shape itself to the shape of.differently shaped buggies. The first sleeve portiOn 44 is formed by a pocket portion of the cover fabric 24. The first strip member 22 is made of a flexible material1 for example a plastics material, which is able to be secured to the cover fabric 24 such that the first strip member 22 is maintained ma requiredcurve as can be appreciatedfrom Figure 4.

The auxliary-cover 20 includes attachment members in the form of tie members 46 for tying the sides of the auxiliary cover 20 the buggy 2. Other attachment members may be employed, for example Velcro (Registered TradetMark) .attaôhitent members.

The auxiliary Oover.20 includes a window 48. The window 48 is a mesh fabric window. Thet auxiliary cover 20 includes a blind 50 for the window 48.

The blind 50 is able to be rolled up as shown in Figure 9 to a raised position in which the blind 50 does not cover the window 48 The window 48 is formed in-the uppérpat't 36-Of the depending portion 28 of the auxiliary cover 20.

When the.aüxilithry cover 20 is closed up from the: position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 6, the auxiliary cover 20 pivots about the cover fabric 24 adjacent the ends of the first strip member 22 *r Referring now to Figures 16 -17, there is shown a second auxiliary cover 54 of the present invention Similar parts as in the auxiliary cover 20 * have: been given -the -same, reference -numerals for ease of comparison and understanding The auxiliary cover 54 has magnetic retainer means 56 for use in retaining the auxiliary cover 54 in position on the buggy 2 The magnetic retainer mens 56 comprises a second flexible strip member 58 having magnet's 64 to retain the auxiliary Oover 54 in-positiOn by magnetism.

The flexible strip members 5 may be made of a plastics material. The magnets 64 may be provided within injectiori-moulded silicon The flexible strip 58.islacted in the second-sleeve drtion 86-which -iS similar to the first sleeve pOrtion 44. - --When the auxiliary cover 54 is to be folded up, then the first, strip member 22 is able to pivot by means of the material 68 adjacent the ends of the two flexible strips members 22, 58.

The magnets 64 are moulded into the plastics, strip 58: Figure 18 shows an alternative magnetic retainer, means 59 to that shown in Figures 16 and 17. Similar pads have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and Understanding. In' Figure 18, the strip 58 is provided with V-notches 70 to facilitate bending of the strip 58.

Figure 19 shows'a carriage in the form,of a baby Sr seat 78. provided with an auxiliary cover 80 of the present invention. The baby car seat 78 has floes * 5. handle means 82 for enabling the baby car seat78to be carried4 Similar parts in the auxiliary covers' 20 and 86 have been given the same reference *5.

numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. C,..

It is to be appreciatedthat the embodiments of"the invention described above with reference to the, accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may beeffected. Thus, for example the magnets 64 are shown as round but they may be square or rectangular.

Alternatively, the magnets may be extruded strip magnets. Individual components shown in the, drawings are not limited,to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of theinvention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An auxiliary cover for apparatus for receiving: a child, Which apparatus comprises a reception portion for the child, and which auxiliary cover Comprises: (i) a first strip member; and (ii) a cover fabric: and the auxiliary cover being such that (iii) the cover fabric hasa retainer portion which in Use extends over a hood part of theapparitus.for receiving a child; * ., * * . -, ------- * (iv) the cover fabric has adepending portion.whith-ih use hangs from:the -retainer portion; 4*seS ****(v) the retainer pOi'tion. -and the depending portion are separate pieces of fabric Which are joined together by a line of stitching; (vi) the line, of atitchirg extends in a curve Which causes the retainer portion and the adjacent part of the depending: portion to be curved; (vii) the curved retainer portion and the adjacent part of the depending portion -defln'e a concave shape which is able -to fit over buggies of different widths, and.:sdth that the sides:of the tuNed retainer portion and the -adjacent part of the depending portion extend along the sides *of the buggy; (viii) the first strip member extends transversely across the depending portion such that it divides the depending portion into an upper part which extends between the first strip memberand the line of stitOhing, and alower.part which hangs from the firststrip.meniber; and (ix) the first s trip rtiSriber is concave so that it holds the depèhdirig portion away from the face of a child in the apparatus.
2. An auxilia'<coveraccordirg to claim 1 in which the retainer portion has a free edge vvhichissfraight when compared with the curved line of * ** *1 S ". stitching. S.... * . * .. * S S*S.. . . -. -. .. -. -. -.*
3 An auxiliary cover according to claim 1 or clarm 2 in which the cover

Sfabric is:atta ahed to the first strip member by the cOver fabric having a first -:*--- * sleeve--portiOn,-ànd--in whibh-the first strip meh her passes intothé first sleeve portion.
4. An-aUxiliary cover acOdrding to claim 3-Ui which the first strip member is rémovéble frOm the first sleeve-portion.
5. An àuxiliàry cOver aoOording to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the first sleeve portion is-f&rned-by a-pocket portion of the coVerfabric
6. An auxiliary cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first strip member is made of a flexible material whiôh is able to be secured to the coverfabricsuch that the first strip member is maintained in a required cure.7 An auxiliary cover according to any one of the preceding claims and including attachment members for attaching the sides of the auxiliary cover to the appärátus. . * .. 8. . An according to any one ofthe péce*ding claims and *. S S.. S. inciudingawiridow. . . . . . . * -S S. S *5*, 9 An auxiliary cover according to claim 8 in which the window is a mesh fabric Window.S... . *0 10. An auxiliary covèr.accórding to claim 8 cr.claim 9andinduding a blind for the window. . . 11. An auxiliary cover according to claim 10 in which the blind is such that it is able to be folded up to a raised position in whióh the blind does not cover the window, and in which the blind is also such that it does not have retainer means for retaining the blind in the raised position.12. An auxiliary. cover according to any one of the preceding claims and -inclUding rnagnetic.tetainer means for retaining the auxiliary cover in position on the apparatus.13. An auxiliary dOver according to claim 12 in which the magnetic retainer means comprises a plüràlity of sépàrate magnets.14. An auxiliary cover according to claim 12in which the magnetic retainer means.compdses asingle strip magnet. * *. * * . * S ** * 15 An auxiliary cover for apparatus for receiving a child, substantially as * S. . -herein described with reference to Figures 4 -19 of the accompanying *..drawings-. . . . S5**S *SS* * S..S