US20130019815A1

US20130019815A1 - Infant Body Supporting Crawling Assistance Harness

Info

Publication number: US20130019815A1
Application number: US13/184,789
Authority: US
Inventors: Bertha Curiel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-18
Filing date: 2011-07-18
Publication date: 2013-01-24

Abstract

An infant body supporting crawling assistance harness comprising: a torso support at a bottommost portion of the crawling assistance harness, where the torso support extends between a head portion and a bottom portion and where the torso support rests beneath the body of the infant; a plurality of straps attached around the torso support, where the plurality of straps wrap around the infant; a plurality of securing means positioned at a distal end of the plurality of straps; and a handle fastened to the plurality of straps with the plurality of securing means, where the handle enables an adult user to lift the infant while resting in a crawling position within the crawling assistance harness.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device that teaches an infant to crawl by supporting their weight within the device until they learn how to support themselves.
2. Description of Related Art
Child motor development typically advances in stages, where as the child masters one skill they naturally progress to the next. One of the basic motor skills mastered between the ages of 6-10 months is crawling. Crawling is the infant's first method of transporting themselves from one place to another. In the early stages of learning, the infant usually struggles to support themselves, until they develop the strength, balance and coordination to maintain their bodies on their hands and knees. As the infant is learning they may collapse, fall, and even hit their faces on ground. When the infant struggles the parent or adult guardian often tries to help by lifting the infant's bellies forcing them into the correct crawling position. While the lifting properly positions the infant, their stomachs may become sore or even upset if the adults hands grasp too tight or jostle the stomach too soon after eating.
Accordingly, several devices have been developed to assist children with their motor skills development. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,532 by Seyed A. Mirkarimi discloses an infant crawler wherein a wheeled device supports the baby while they use their feet to move the device. The device supports the bottom and chest of the baby in a forward seated position while their legs remain on the floor for forward propulsion. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,699 by Timothy Dale Veitch discloses a child sport activity training device wherein a harness like device straps over the child's torso and a strap loops over the child's head. The looped strap is loose enough to provide a handle for an adult helper to lift the child and help them balance while walking, skating or playing sports. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,025 by Jeffery Streeter discloses a gait training harness wherein the harness fastens around the shoulders, waist and thighs of the child. The shoulder and thigh straps are connected and include handles by the shoulders to enable an adult to pull the handles, in turn lifting the child's legs thus teaching them the motions of walking.
While these devices do assist children to develop motor skill geared toward walking, they lack being able to teach the child or infant the more basic skill of crawling. Therefore, it would be desirable in the art to provide a device that allows an adult to teach an infant how to crawl. It would also be beneficial in the art for the device to be easy to use and comfortable to the child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an infant body supporting crawling assistance harness, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a harness that receives an infant in a crawling position, the harness is held by an adult to lift and support the body weight of the infant thereby teaching them how to crawl.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a harness with multiple straps coming off all peripheral sides of the harness to support the torso of the infant from all sides.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a harness with a soft padded torso support and soft straps for a comfortable fit around the infant.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, an infant body supporting crawling assistance harness is described comprising: a torso support at a bottommost portion of the crawling assistance harness, where the torso support extends between a head portion and a bottom portion and where the torso support rests beneath the body of the infant; a plurality of straps attached around the torso support, where the plurality of straps wrap around the infant; a plurality of securing means positioned at a distal end of the plurality of straps; and a handle fastened to the plurality of straps with the plurality of securing means, where the handle enables an adult user to lift the infant while resting in a crawling position within the crawling assistance harness.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a crawling assistance harness in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a crawling assistance harness with an infant in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a device that teaches an infant to crawl by supporting their weight within the device until they learn how to support themselves. The present invention provides a crawling assistance harness that wraps around the infant and is lifted by an adult user to support the infant's body weight. The crawling assistance harness includes multiple straps around the peripheral portions of the lowermost torso support. The straps are positioned around the infant's body and meet at a handle fastened above the infant. The handle is hoisted by the adult to lift the infant and teach them how to balance and the basic movements of crawling. As such, the crawling assistance harness is a comfortable and easy to use device that assists the infant in developing strength and coordination as they learn to crawl.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a crawling assistance harness (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The crawling assistance harness (100) includes a torso support (102) that encompasses the base and lower most portion of the crawling assistance harness (100). The torso support (102) may be made from a durable and washable fabric like canvas, jean, fleece, nylon, polyester, cotton, blended materials or a similar material known in the art. The fabric may be colored or covered with decorative patterns or designs to be fun and visually pleasing to the user. Additionally, the torso support (102) may be padded to provide added comfort against an infant user's body.
The torso support (102) may comprise a generally square or rectangular shape. The torso support (102) includes a head portion (104) at one end and a bottom portion (106) at an opposing end to stretch beneath the underside of the body or the belly of the infant user. The head portion (104) may include a head receiving portion (108) to accept the neck and head of the infant user. The head receiving portion (108) is a depressed cutout from a center of the head portion (104). The bottom portion (106) may protrude from the torso support (102) and come to an apex (110) at a center of the bottom portion (106), opposite to the head receiving portion (108). The bottom portion (106) supports the pelvis of the infant user with the apex (110) resting between the infant's legs.
The crawling assistance harness (100) may include a plurality of straps, specifically a set of lateral support straps (112, 114), a pair of head straps (116) and a bottom strap (118). Attached to the sides of the torso support (102) are the set of lateral support straps (112, 114), wherein the lateral support straps (112, 114) comprise a pair of arm straps (112), one on each side of the torso support (102), and a pair of leg straps (114), one on each side of the torso support (102). The set of lateral support straps (112, 114) wrap around the sides of the infant user to enable the adult user to lift the infant user's body when learning to crawl. The pair of arm straps (112) is positioned towards the head portion (104), whereas the pair of leg straps (114) is positioned towards the bottom portion (106). Specifically, the pair of arm straps (112) hugs beneath the infant user's arms or in the armpit, and the pair of leg straps (114) hugs above the infant user's hips or thighs.
Accordingly, the pair of head straps (116) extends from the head portion (104) of the torso support (102), and is attached one strap on each side of the head receiving portion (108). The pair of head straps (116) wrap around the shoulders of the infant user to assist the infant to hold their head up while learning to crawl. The bottom strap (118) is attached to the apex (110) at the lowermost part of the torso support (102). The bottom strap (118) wraps between the legs and up around the bottom of the infant user.
The plurality of straps may be made from nylon, cotton, polyester or the like, essentially a material strong enough to support the weight of an infant or child. Also the plurality of straps are soft and comfortable against the infant user's skin to ensure that no chaffing or sores develop as the infant user moves their body within the crawling assistance harness (100). Attached to the distal end of the plurality of straps may be a plurality of fastening means (120) (hereinafter fastening means). The fastening means (120) secure the plurality of straps to a handle (122) by threading the distal end of the strap through the handle (122) and then securing the straps against themselves with the fastening means (120). The fastening means (120) may be a hook and loop fastener, snap, button or clip. The handle (122) provides a gripping portion for the adult user to lift and carry the crawling assistance harness (100). The handle (122) may be made of plastic or metal, and may be shaped as a ring, or a carabiner style clip. Alternatively, the distal end of the plurality of straps may be a loop. The loop may thread through the carabiner style clamp to attach the plurality of straps to the handle (122).
Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the crawling assistance harness (100) with an infant (150) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates how the infant user (150) is positioned within the crawling assistance harness (100) in a crawling position. As shown, the crawling position positions the infant's arms directly below the shoulders, in contact with the ground, and the infant's knees directly below their hips in contact with the ground. The torso support rests against the infant user's belly while the plurality of straps wrap around the body of the infant user (150) and join at the handle (122). Once the infant user (150) is secured within the crawling assistance harness (100) the adult user may lift the handle (122) to support the weight of the infant (150).
To use the crawling assistance harness, first the adult user may lay the torso support on the floor with the straps extending radially, as shown in FIG. 1. Next the adult may place the infant user facedown onto the torso support so that the torso support is directly under the chest, belly and pelvis of the infant. Then the adult may ensure that the straps underlie the appropriate body parts of the infant; the arm straps by the armpits, the leg straps by the thighs, the head straps by the shoulders and the bottom strap between the legs. Once the infant is positioned, the adult gathers the straps and assembles the securing means to the handle. Next, the adult may lift the handle, in turn lifting the body or torso of the infant until the infant is in the crawling position. The adult supports the weight of the infant so they can accustom themselves to the balance and motions of crawling. As the infant learns to balance and support themselves on their hands and knees the adult may decrease the amount of assistance they provide until eventually no assistance is needed and the infant is crawling on their own.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An infant body supporting crawling assistance harness comprising:

a torso support at a bottommost portion of the crawling assistance harness, where the torso support extends between a head portion and a bottom portion and where the torso support rests beneath the body of the infant;

a plurality of straps attached around the torso support, where the plurality of straps wrap around the infant;

a plurality of securing means positioned at a distal end of the plurality of straps; and

a handle fastened to the plurality of straps with the plurality of securing means, wherein the handle enables an adult user to lift the infant while resting in a crawling position within the crawling assistance harness.

2. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of straps includes a set of lateral support straps attached to the sides of the torso support to wrap around the sides of the infant.

3. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 2, wherein the set of lateral support straps includes a pair of arm straps attached to the torso support towards the head portion, where the pair of arm straps rests beneath the arms of the infant and a pair of leg straps attached to the torso support towards the bottom portion, where the pair of leg straps rests above the legs of the infant.

4. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of straps further includes a pair of head straps attached to the head portion to wrap around the shoulders of the infant and a bottom strap attached to the bottom portion to wrap between the legs of the infant.

5. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 4, wherein the head portion of the torso support includes a head receiving portion, where the head receiving portion is a cutout from a center of the head portion and where the pair of head straps attach one on each side of the head receiving portion.

6. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 4, wherein at a center of the bottom portion comes to an apex, where the bottom strap attaches to the torso support at the apex.

7. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 1, wherein the handle is a ring.

8. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of securing means is one of at least a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a button and a clip to fasten the plurality of straps to the ring.

9. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 1, wherein the handle is a carabiner style clip.

10. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of securing means is a loop to attach to the caribiner style clip.

11. The infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 1, wherein the torso support is padded.

12. A method of use for an infant body supporting crawling assistance harness comprising the steps of:

laying a torso support attached to a plurality of straps on a floor, where the plurality of straps extending radially from the torso support;

positioning the infant facedown upon the torso support;

gathering the plurality of straps around the body of the infant;

assembling a plurality of securing means fastened to a distal end of the plurality of straps to a handle;

lifting the handle to in turn lift the infant into a crawling position; and

supporting the weight of the infant within the crawling assistance harness to assist the infant when learning to crawl.

13. The method of use for the infant body supporting crawling assistance harness according to claim 12 further comprising the step of decreasing support to the infant provided by the crawling assistance harness as the infant learns to balance and support themselves.