US20070151000A1

US20070151000A1 - Nursing Cover Anchoring System

Info

Publication number: US20070151000A1
Application number: US11/565,842
Authority: US
Inventors: Cema Gates
Original assignee: CEMA DESIGNS LLC
Current assignee: CEMA DESIGNS LLC
Priority date: 2005-12-02
Filing date: 2006-12-01
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: WO2007067322A2; WO2007067322A3

Abstract

A novel anchored nursing cover system is provided. The system comprises a cover, and an anchoring member adapted for attachment, e.g., removable attachment, to a portion, e.g., an end, of the cover. The anchoring member may be configured for removable engagement with a bra strap or other article of clothing worn by a nursing mother to secure a portion of the cover under or to the strap or to another article of clothing of the nursing mother during nursing.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/741,925 filed Dec.2, 2005 and entitled “Nursing Cover Anchoring System.”

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to nursing covers, nursing cover systems, methods of anchoring nursing covers, and methods of assembling and manufacturing nursing cover anchoring systems. In addition, the present invention is directed to nursing cover anchors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, nursing mothers have used a variety of nursing covers in an attempt to obtain some privacy while breast feeding in public forums. Some mothers have used basic, flat, rectangular infant blankets as nursing covers. These basic rectangular blankets are simply thrown over the shoulder and baby without attaching in any manner to the nursing mother or infant and thus, are very susceptible to falling off and do not stay in place. As a result, the breast of a nursing mother may be undesirably revealed and privacy is not achieved.
Over the years, various nursing clothing systems have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,754 discloses a nursing scarf of trapezoidal shape to be worn about the neck of a nursing mother over her primary articles of clothing which allegedly provides complete privacy from the public eye throughout the nursing process by shielding the mother's breast and midriff, while still affording eye contact between mother and infant by means of a pleating system which creates an opening or window at the top of the scarf.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,251 discloses a nursing mother's garment comprised of a shoulder apparatus known as a shoulder bib and an attachable blanket-type draping known hereafter as a blanket, which provides concealment of the wearer's upper body and the baby's head and upper body, while providing fresh air flow to the baby and viewing of the nursing process by the mother only. For nursing, the shoulder bib is placed on the wearer's shoulder with the blanket attached to it by a plurality of fasteners. The blanket attaches to the lower edge of the front portion of the shoulder bib and extends from directly above the wearer's breast downwardly past the wearer's waistline and laterally from beyond the wearer's arm nearest the shoulder bib across the wearer's breast beyond her mid-chest. The blanket forms a lightweight, loose-fitting, drape across the wearer's front torso which permits a child to nurse in complete comfort, while concealing the mother's breast.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,172 discloses a nursing blanket for use by a nursing mother to shield her breast from public view while feeding her infant. The blanket comprises a square of woven cloth with an elastic, garter-like loop affixed near one corner of the cloth. In use, the mother inserts her arm through the loop and pulls the loop up over the point of the shoulder thereby disposing the cloth down the length of the arm. The patent states that the mother then cradles the infant in the same arm and drapes a portion of the cloth over most of her chest including her breast and over the infant's head and upper body. She can then reach under the cloth to bare her breast and offer it to the infant. In this way, the patent asserts she effectively screens her breast from view and is able to discretely nurse in public.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,268 discloses a nursing privacy shield for concealing a mother's breast region while nursing her child in public. This nursing privacy shield includes a hooklike member with a first curved portion that fits over the mother's shoulder and a second elongated portion that extends downward over the mother's upper chest area. The shield also has a drape for concealing the mother's upper front chest area and a frame for supporting the drape in front of the nursing mother's upper front chest area so that the nursing baby's head may be disposed between the drape and the nursing mother's chest area. The second elongated portion of the hooklike member is pivotally attached to the frame so that they may be moved relative to each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,960 discloses a nursing garment having a close-knit upper portion which lies over the shoulder of the nursing mother, which extends down into an expanded, open-knit lower portion which covers the breast and at least part of the baby while nursing, so that the upper portion may be used for burping the baby, and the lower portion is sufficiently opaque to provide privacy to the mother, yet adequately open to allow sufficient ventilation for the baby. In one embodiment, the garment is provided with two sides to cover both breasts, and in another embodiment, a single side is covered, in which embodiment the upper edge of the upper edge of the upper, close-knit portion is weighted to securely maintain the garment in place over the mother's shoulder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,411 discloses a breast-feeding garment that includes a cover and a pliable shoulder clip attachable to the cover for giving the cover stability. The shoulder clip includes a back shoulder engaging portion connected to a front shoulder engaging portion by an internal deformable wire. The triangularly-shaped cloth cover includes a firm, soft extension pad in one corner which helps to spread the cover. Hook and loop fastening means are employed to attach the front shoulder engaging portion of the shoulder clip to the soft extension pad of the cover. The cover is formed from a see-through, breathable fabric but includes an opaque privacy portion near the center for concealing the breast-feeding child. When not in use, the patent states the garment folds up and fits neatly into a carrying bag which can be tied to a stroller, diaper bag, purse or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,090 provides a blanket which can function not only as a blanket for keeping warm, but also as a blanket to provide privacy for a nursing mother to breast feed her baby in public and also as a sun shade and wind shade. The blanket has a periphery and an inner portion, and also a contracting structure for contracting the inner portion to form a hood means when contracted, the contracting means being spaced inwardly from the periphery. A margin extends between the contracting means and the periphery and is adapted to form gathers or folds extending from and around the hood means when the contracting means is contracted. The hood means receives the baby's head, and usually most of the baby's torso. The patent states the gathers stiffen the margin of the blanket to be essentially self-supporting when extending from the hood means for leaning against the mother's upper body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,085 discloses a nursing shield for mothers who wish to nurse an infant discreetly or camouflage the act of nursing in a public setting. In a preferred embodiment, the patent teaches a nursing shield comprising a stiff yet flexible padded and covered panel which attaches to the back side of either the left or right forearm of a nursing mother and stands outward therefrom during use. Left hand and right hand finger-loops are provided to enable a nursing mother to flex the nursing shield with either hand for the purpose of increasing privacy. The inner side of the forearm attached to the nursing shield is free to directly contact the infant, and the mother's remaining arm and hand are free to prepare for nursing, make changes or adjustments during nursing, and generally comfort the infant. The nursing shield is washable and it may be folded for alternate use as a clutch bag, or laid flat on a supporting surface for use as a diaper changing pad.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,068 discloses a nursing cover for use by a mother in nursing an infant. The cover is formed of a fabric material provided with a pair of horizontal pockets or slits which allow easy access to the infant for feeding along with improved viewing of the infant by the mother. Improved ventilation for the infant is also provided even while covered. Additional features include an elastic neckline and improved closure for the ends of the cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,762 discloses a nursing shawl having a crinoline portion, a tail portion and a securing means. The patent states the crinoline is self-supporting due to a plurality of pleats formed therein. The pleats are stated to allow the crinoline to fold down into a compact stack of material which is easily stored in a purse or pocket. One end of the crinoline is sewn together preventing the pleats from separating while the other end is openable, thereby allowing it to be opened up like a paper fan. The sewn end is also sewn to a weighted tail that holds the shawl in place over a women's shoulder while in use. The shawl provides a tent-like structure under which a baby can be discretely nursed in a public location.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,582 discloses a breast feeding cover that covers a mother and her baby and has a viewing window so that mother can see the baby nursing (feeding) but no one else can. The breast feeding cover fits over one shoulder and attaches around the mother's neck. A small semi-circular viewing window protrudes outward from the front panel of the breast feeding cover just above the breast so that the mother can see the baby nursing while the rest of the baby is covered. The breast feeding cover is reversed when the mother is nursing the baby on the opposite side. The viewing window is created from a stiff ribbon to ensure the pocket juts out adequately to allow the mother to view the baby. The viewing window is also reversed by pushing the stiff ribbon to the opposite side of the breast feeding cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,662 discloses a privacy covering for nursing mothers in which an arcuately curved, resiliently flexible flat strip is hemmed into a central portion of the upper edge of a blanket or sheet type covering. A neck strap is attached to the upper edge of the covering adjacent one end of the strip and carries one-half of hook and loop self-adhering detachable closure (i.e., a VELCRO® closure) for securement with the other half of self-adhering detachable closure which is attached to the covering adjacent the opposite end of the strip. The rectangular cross section of the strip shape has sufficient inherent rigidity to prevent flexing thereof in the plane of the covering material, i.e., vertical sagging, and to hold the top edge of the covering outwardly bowed in a direction normal to the plane of the covering material i.e., in a generally horizontal direction, when worn about a nursing mother's neck. In this way, a one size fits all covering can be produced, which can be comfortably worn and easily put on and taken off; yet, the covering possesses an excellent screening capacity for any size person while still providing ample ventilation for the child and an excellent view of the child for the mother.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,474 discloses a drape for nursing and so forth may have a flat member having opposing ends, for lying over a shoulder and to cover a breast and baby of a nursing mother, with the member containing weights about the opposing ends. Another drape for nursing and so forth has a flat member generally in the shape of a semicircle, for lying over a shoulder and to cover a breast and baby of a nursing mother, which has an arc-like recess to accommodate the neck of the mother. A further drape for nursing and so forth has a flat member with two elongate members attached thereto, with the elongate members containing weights at distal ends thereof, wherein the flat member is to cover at least the upper chest area of a wearer with said elongate members lying over the shoulders of the wearer. The drape is generally made of a soft material, and is useful not only for mothers who would nurse their infants in public but also may find utility as an apron or bib for hospital, nursing home or kitchen use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,171 discloses a device, a nursing cover-up, that allows a nursing mother to breast feed her child in public without fear of exposing herself to others, but allows herself to view the child during the feeding. The nursing cover-up is a piece of fabric attached to the front of the mother's clothing by clips, clamps, or fasteners or by optional neck strap. The nursing cover-up has a flexible shapeable coated wire sewn into the upper edge of the nursing cover-up that provides support to the nursing cover-up allowing the mother to shape or mold the edge of the nursing cover-up outward; thus permitting her to see the child throughout feeding while prohibiting others from seeing in. The shield and slit opening provides access for the mother's hand to the underside of the nursing cover-up permitting her to move or manipulate her nipple as needed. A pocket is provided for storage. This device can be produced in a one size fits all which is easy to take on and off. It can be folded small enough to fit into a diaper bag or purse. The fabric is light and the sides are open which allows ample ventilation for the child.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,273 discloses a nursing blanket and method for covering the torso, and exposed breast of a nursing mother and the head of the feeding infant, to provide privacy and coverage while breast-feeding. The blanket is comprised of a single thickness fabric blanket, the main body or midsection of which is an oval. The ends of the blanket are attached to a shoulder strap on one end, and an arm sleeve on the opposing end. The shoulder strap is comprised of a double thickness of stretchable knit material which is sewn into a narrow strip and curved back on itself to form a loop. This loop fits over the mother's hand and slides up the arm, to be secured on her shoulder, opposite the breast which will be used for nursing. The arm sleeve on the opposing end of the blanket slides over the mothers remaining hand and rests on the forearm. The infant's head rests on the arm which is covered by the sleeve, and the blanket then comes up and over the baby's head, and crosses his body. When the infant is positioned on the mother's lap for nursing, the body of the blanket covers the mother's torso, as well as the infant's head and the majority of the infants body.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,274 discloses a nursing cover up that includes a body cover having a size adapted for covering at least a chest portion of a mother user and a hanging means for hanging the body cover in front of the mother user. The body cover further includes a peek-a-boo pocket which has a viewing opening formed on a pocket panel that separates the pocket panel into an upper piece and a lower piece. The peek-a-boo pocket includes a shield flap which extends from a bottom portion of the upper piece of the pocket panel to overlappingly position behind an upper portion of the lower piece of the pocket panel for covering an upper portion of a breast of the mother user, and a pocket lip formed at a top edge of the upper portion of the lower piece, so as to define the viewing opening between the shield flap and the pocket lip for the mother user to monitor her baby therethrough while breastfeeding. Accordingly, during breastfeeding, the nursing cover up can effectively cover up the mother's breast from being seen by anyone in all direction while maintaining good air ventilation for the baby and enabling the mother herself to monitor the breastfeeding of her baby through the peek-a-boo pocket, so that the mother may feel comfortable to breastfeed her baby.
All of the heretofore known nursing covers have shortcomings. Consequently, there is a need for a nursing cover that is easy to assemble, easy to manufacture, easy to transport, easy to adorn, fashionable and effective to provide privacy to nursing mothers in public venues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, according to one embodiment, an anchored nursing cover system. The systems may comprise a cover and an anchoring member attached, e.g., removably attached, to a portion of the cover. The anchoring member may be further configured for engagement, e.g., removable engagement, with a bra strap, or other article of clothing worn by a nursing mother to secure a portion of the cover under or to the strap or to another article of clothing of a mother during nursing.
The cover may include a scarf, a piece of fabric, a square piece of fabric or material, and/or a piece of material. The cover may measure at least about 34 inches by about 34 inches.
The anchoring member may comprise a spring loaded cord lock, a ball, a buckle ball, a ring, a clasp, e.g., a hinged clasp, or a two headed clip, etc. All anchoring members of the present invention are preferably of a size, dimension, and shape such that they are not infant choking hazards.
The present invention, according to one embodiment, provides an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover and an attached anchor. The anchor is attached, e.g., removably attached, to a portion, e.g., an end, of the cover. The anchor may be selected from the group of anchors consisting of a ring, a ball, and a cord lock. The combination of the anchor and the attached portion of the cover may be suitable for removable engagement with a bra strap to secure a portion of the cover under the bra strap.
The present invention, according to another embodiment, provides an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover and an attached anchor. The anchor may be selected from the group of anchors consisting of a clasp, a hinged clasp, and a two-headed clasp. The anchor may be adapted for removable engagement with a bra strap or other article of clothing of a nursing mother to secure a portion of the cover to the strap or the other article of clothing.
The present invention, according to a further embodiment, provides a method for the assembly of an anchored nursing cover. The method may comprise providing a cover and providing an anchor. The method further comprises attaching the anchor to a small portion of the cover wherein the combination of the anchor and the small portion of the cover are suitable, e.g., of suitable size and shape, for removable engagement of a portion of the cover with a bra strap, e.g., underneath the strap, of a nursing mother. The providing an anchor step may include providing an anchor from the group of anchors consisting of rings, balls, and cord locks.
According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides nursing cover anchor rings, balls, and cord locks. The ring may have a diameter of at least about 1 and ¼ inch, a thickness of at least about ⅜ inch, and a center opening with a diameter of at least about 5/16 inch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the nursing cover anchoring system of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of anchoring members, spring loaded cord locks, according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of an anchoring member, a ball or sphere assembled with a cover, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of anchoring members, buckle balls, according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are illustrations of anchoring members, rings, according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F are illustrations of anchoring members, clasps, according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F are illustrations of anchoring members, clasps, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention provides, according to one embodiment, an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover, and an anchoring member (or anchor) adapted for attachment, e.g., removable attachment, to a portion of a cover, e.g., one end of the cover. The anchoring member is configured for detachable engagement with a bra strap, or other article of clothing, worn by a nursing mother, and may be adapted to anchor or attach one end or a portion of a cover under or to the strap, and/or other clothing of a nursing mother, to help secure the cover and provide some privacy during nursing.
The anchoring member or anchors of the present invention may anchor and/or secure covers via various attachment methodologies (see e.g., FIGS. 1-7), and is preferably , according to some embodiments, configured and/or adapted to engage, e.g., slip under, a bra strap of a nursing mother to anchor or attach a portion of the cover under or to the strap and may secure the cover to provide the desired privacy. The anchoring members and anchors of the present invention, according to some embodiments, may attach directly to the bra strap, e.g., utilizing a two headed clip attaching to the cover via one side and attaching to the bra strap via the other side. The present invention also provides, according to an embodiment, a method for assembling an anchored nursing cover system comprising a cover, and an anchoring member or anchor adapted for removable attachment to a portion of the cover, e.g., one end of the cover. Note, while embodiments of the invention are described as including removable anchors or anchoring members, permanent anchoring members or anchors are also envisioned as part of the present invention.
The cover useful in the practice of the present invention may include a scarf, a piece of fabric, a square piece of fabric, a piece of material, and/or a square piece of material. The material and/or fabric may be of any size or shape that is suitable to provide a nursing mother with the desired privacy during nursing in a public venue. The cover may, e.g., measure at least about 34 inches by about 34 inches; however, as noted, other sizes and shapes of fabrics and/or materials may be utilized as long as the desired privacy is obtained. The material and/or fabric utilized as the cover is preferably made out of all natural materials(e.g., a cotton/silk blend or silk or cotton), preferably lightweight, preferably machine washable, and, of course, preferably fashionable since it will or may be displayed in public venues. However, other materials and/or fabrics may be utilized as desired. Nursing mothers may combine the anchoring members and anchors of the present invention with their own covers, e.g., scarves, to obtain a nursing cover system of the present invention. Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention provide means for nursing mothers to utilize fashionable scarves as anchored nursing covers without the fear of damaging the scarf from or during anchor attachment. For example, utilizing the ring anchors of the present invention, and other anchors disclosed herein, the integrity of the scarf is maintained. Holes in or through the scarf or cover material are desirably avoided extending the life and condition of the scarf for use again after nursing. While the avoidance of holes in the scarf or cover is noted as an advantage of some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention does not exclude embodiments wherein holes may be formed in the covers or scarves for attachment.
The anchoring members and anchors may, e.g., comprise a spring loaded cord lock, a ball, a buckle ball, a ring, and/or a clasp, e.g., a hinged clasp or two-headed clasp or clip. The spring loaded ball cord lock (see FIG. 1) may include an opening of at least about ¼ inch by at least about ⅜ inch to allow a portion of the cover to be pulled there through. The balls and buckle balls anchors and anchoring members (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 4A and 4B) may have diameters of at least about 1¼ inch. The buckle ball anchors and anchoring members may comprise an opening having a dimension of about ¾ inch by about ½ inch with a toothed grooved bar across the middle. The ring anchoring members and anchors (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A-5D) may have a diameter of at least about 1 and ¼ inch, a thickness of at least about ⅜ inch, and a center opening with a diameter of at least about 5/16 inch. The ring anchors and anchoring members may be of any shape, e.g., they may be in the shape of a heart, flowers, and/or a four leaf clovers. The hinged clasp may have a diameter of at least about 1¼ inch and a thickness of at least about ⅜ inch. (See, e.g., FIGS. 6A-7F.) The hinged clasp may include clasps similar to twixits and/or chip clips and clamshells preferably including inside surfaces comprising soft gripping material, e.g., rubber or rubber-like materials (similar to the rubber found on children's socks) to grip the cover between the two opposing inside clam shell surfaces. Preferably, the anchors and anchoring members of the present invention are of at least a size and dimension such that they are not infant choking hazards. For example, as noted above, a clam shell diameter of 1¼ inches and ⅜ inch thick provides an example of an anchor that is not an infant choking hazard.
The use of the example anchors and anchoring members in the practice of an embodiment of the present invention is now described. To assemble an embodiment of the present invention utilizing the ball cord lock, e.g., a spring loaded cord lock, anchoring member, one corner or end of a cover is slipped or pushed into the cord lock and pulled through the opening while depressing the push button. The cover is locked in place by releasing the button after approximately 2 inches (or other suitable length) of cover material has been pulled through the opening. The ball cord lock is, as noted above, configured, e.g., is of such a size and shape, to be preferably comfortably slipped under the bra strap of a nursing mother. And preferably, after being slipped under the strap, the anchoring members or anchors of the present invention reside on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away from the nursing mothers neck, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1. After anchoring or engaging the cover to or with the strap, the larger portion of the cover is preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from public view as desired.
The assembly and use of another embodiment of the present invention utilizing a ball anchor or anchoring system is now described. A portion, e.g., a corner, of a cover may be wrapped around or otherwise secured to a ball and, e.g., a self knot may be made around the ball. The ball is of such a size and dimension, e.g., configured such that when sufficient material is wrapped around the ball and secured, e.g., knotted, the resulting size of the secured/wrapped knotted ball preferably comfortably slips under a bra strap of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that the knotted/secured portion of the cover and anchor or anchoring member reside on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away from the neck of the nursing mother. The larger portion of the cover is preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from public view as desired.
The assembly and use of a further embodiment of the present invention utilizing a buckle ball anchor or anchoring system is now described. One portion, e.g., corner of a cover may be threaded into a top portion of a buckle, around, e.g., the middle bar of the buckle ball, and back through the bottom portion of the buckle part. The buckle ball may be of such a size and dimension, e.g., configured, such that when sufficient material is fed into and through the buckle and secured, the resulting size of the ball/end of cover combination preferably comfortably slips under a bra strap of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that the buckled portion of the cover resides on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder. The larger portion of the cover is preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of the nursing mother to shield and/or cover a nursing infant and/or breast from public view as desired.
The assembly and use of a still further embodiment of the present invention utilizing a ring anchor or anchoring system is now described. One portion, e.g., a corner or end, of a cover, e.g., approximately 3 inches (or other suitable length), may be pulled through the center of a ring anchor or anchoring member and secured, e.g., self knotted at the short end/portion of the cover, or the cover may be pulled through the anchor ring or ring anchoring member and secured, e.g., tied around the ring using the remaining material. The anchor ring or ring anchoring member may be of such a size and dimension, e.g., configured, such that when sufficient cover material is fed into and through the anchor ring or anchoring ring member and secured, the resulting size of the ring anchor/cover combination preferably comfortably slips under a bra strap of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that the portion of the cover attached directly to the ring anchor resides on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away from the neck of the nursing mother. The larger portion of the cover is preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from public view as desired.
The assembly and use of yet another embodiment of the present invention utilizing a clasp anchor or clam shell anchor or anchoring system is now described. The clasp anchor or clamshell anchor is opened and a portion of the cover is placed across the open clasp anchor or clamshell anchor so that when the clasp anchor or clam shell anchor is closed, preferably approximately 2 inches (or other suitable length) of cover material resides on one side of the closed clasp anchor or clam shell anchor and the remaining majority of the cover material resides on the other side of the clasp anchor or clam shell anchor. The clasp or clam shell anchor may be of such a size and dimension, e.g., configured, such that when sufficient material is fed into and secured, the resulting size of the clasp anchor or clam shell anchor/cover combination preferably comfortably slips under a bra strap of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, so that the portion of the cover material attached directly to the clasp or clam shell anchor resides on the outer side of the strap towards the shoulder away from the neck of the nursing mother. The larger portion of the cover may be preferably draped around the back of the neck of a nursing mother, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the larger portion of the cover material to cascade over the opposite shoulder down the front of the nursing mother to shield a nursing infant and/or breast from public view as desired.
While the present invention has been described in reference to specific embodiments, it should be recognized that the present invention and the appended claims should not be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be limited to the specific embodiments described. Other obvious embodiments, while supported but not expressly illustrated, are intended to be understood as part of the present invention. For example, any means for securing a nursing cover to an article of clothing of a nursing mother is meant to be included in the present invention, for example, besides the non-illustrated two headed clasp, a cover, e.g., a scarf, with a button attached to one corner of the scarf for attachment to a button hole of a nursing mother's blouse is also contemplated as part of the present invention. And, as specifically noted, nursing cover systems having anchors and anchor members permanently attached to covers are also intended to be included as part of the invention. Further, the formation of an anchor utilizing a knot of the cover material of suitable size to slip under a bra strap and to secure the nursing cover is also contemplated as part of the invention.

Claims

1. An anchored nursing cover system comprising:

a cover, and

an anchoring member removably attached to a portion of the cover, wherein the anchoring member is further configured for removable engagement with a bra strap, or other article of clothing worn by a nursing mother, to secure a portion of the cover under or to the strap or to another article of clothing of the nursing mother during nursing.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a scarf.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is comprised of a square piece of fabric or material and measures at least about 34 inches in length and about 34 inches in width.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member comprises a cord lock.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member comprises a ball.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member comprises a buckle ball.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member comprises a ring.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member comprises a hinged clasp.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the ring has a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of a heart shapes, oval shapes, four leaf clover shapes, and flower shapes.

10. A system according to claim 5, wherein the anchoring member is pearl colored.

11. An anchored nursing cover system comprising:

a cover, and

an anchor attached to the cover, the anchor selected from the group of anchors consisting of a ring, a ball, and a cord lock, the combination of the anchor and the attached cover suitable for removable engagement with a bra strap to secure a portion of the cover under the bra strap.

12. The system of according to claim 11, wherein the anchor comprises a ring.

13. The system of according to claim 11, wherein the anchor comprises a ball.

14. The system of according to claim 11, wherein the anchor comprises a spring-loaded cord lock.

15. An anchored nursing cover system comprising:

a cover, and

an anchor attached to the cover, the anchor selected from the group of anchors consisting of a clasp, and a hinged clasp, the anchor adapted for removable engagement with a bra strap or other article of clothing of a nursing mother to secure a portion of the cover to the strap or the other article of clothing.

16. A method for the assembly of an anchored nursing cover, the method comprising

providing a cover,

providing an anchor, the anchor selected from the group of anchors consisting of rings, balls, and cord locks,

attaching the anchor to a small portion of the cover wherein the combination of the anchor and the portion of the cover are suitable for removable engagement of a portion of the cover under a bra strap of a nursing mother.

17. A nursing cover anchor, said anchor adapted for attachment to a cover and having a diameter of at least about 1 and ¼ inch, a thickness of at least about ⅜ inch, and a center opening with a diameter of at least about 5/16 inch.