US20160331151A1

US20160331151A1 - Infant Support Wrap

Info

Publication number: US20160331151A1
Application number: US15/152,103
Authority: US
Inventors: Dawn Miller-Hanna
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-11
Filing date: 2016-05-11
Publication date: 2016-11-17

Abstract

An infant support wrap to be worn around the upper body of a parent or guardian. The infant support wrap has a pocket placed on a fabric panel in between a first end and second end and along a bottom edge of the fabric panel, where the pocket is configured to support an infant therein. The length of the panel is sufficient to wrap around the torsos of an infant and an adult when the infant is resting against the adult's chest. A fastener is placed on the first end of the fabric panel and configured to be secured to a back side of the fabric panel. The fastener is capable of being easily released for quick removal of the infant from the infant support wrap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/159,424 filed on May 11, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infant support wrap. More specifically, the present invention relates to an infant support wrap with a shallow inner pocket and an easily releasable fastening device that allows for an adult to hold an infant comfortably against the adult's chest while seated wherein the infant support wrap can be quickly removed when necessary.
Parents and other caregivers often spend lengthy stretches of time holding infants in their arms, a practice that begins immediately after childbirth. Not only does this behavior come naturally to many parents, it can also be a helpful tool used to sooth an upset infant. Furthermore, it is believed to be beneficial for newborn infants to have skin to skin contact with a parent. However, holding an infant for these long periods of time can be tiring and physically burdensome, even while the parent or caregiver is seated, as the infant must still be supported by the adult's arms. This can be especially true for a mother who has just given birth, as they may be weaker and have less physical stamina.
There are various versions of child carrying devices available in the prior art. Some are harnesses designed for carrying a child either in front of or in back of an adult. These devices are often configured to assist when traveling with an older child and thus feature secure clasps that can be difficult to disengage quickly. Furthermore, these devices are not designed for comfort when used in a seated position. Other carrying devices comprise a single piece of material that is wrapped around the carrier numerous times so as to secure a child in front of the adult. These devices also are not designed to be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time while seated. Furthermore, as they comprise a single piece of loose material with no fastener component, it can be difficult to properly secure the child therein. Neither type of device is designed for securing an infant while also being capable of being removed quickly if necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of child carrying devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an infant support wrap wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when holding an infant while seated. The present system comprises a pocket disposed on a fabric panel, the fabric panel having a first end and a second end and a length greater than its height. The pocket is located at an intermediate position between the first end and second end, and is configured to hold an infant therein. The length of the fabric is sufficient to wrap around the torsos of an infant and an adult when the infant is resting against the adult's chest. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the fabric panel and configured to be secured to a back side of the panel. The fastener is capable of being easily released for quick removal of the infant from the infant support wrap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the front side of the infant support wrap with the pocket and fasteners visible.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the back side of the infant support wrap.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of how the infant support wrap is worn by an adult holding an infant.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the infant support wrap as worn by an adult holding an infant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the infant support wrap. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the infant support wrap. The fabric panel 10 comprises a panel having a front side 13 and a back side 15. The length of the fabric panel 10 is longer than its height, such that the fabric panel 10 has a substantially rectangular configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the height of a central portion of the fabric panel 10 is greater than the height of either a first end 12 or a second end 14 of the fabric panel 10. The greater height in an intermediate section of the fabric panel 10 offers added support to the back of an adult user, making it easier to hold an infant for extended periods of time. Additionally, this shape allows the ends to fit more easily underneath a user's arms while being worn.
A pocket 16 is disposed on the front side 13 of the fabric panel 10 at an intermediate position relative to the first end 12 and the second end 14 thereof. In some embodiments of the infant carrier wrap, the pocket 16 is offset and positioned closer to one end. For example, the pocket 16 may be disposed closer to the second end 14 of the fabric panel 10. In such a configuration, the length of the panel material between the pocket 16 and the first end 12 is sufficient to wrap around an adult holding an infant, where the first end 12 goes around the back of the adult and ends in front of the adult's chest.
The pocket 16 is enclosed and secured to the fabric panel 10 on two sidewalls and along a bottom edge, with the upper edge of the pocket 16 being open and accessible. The pocket 16 is configured to fit an infant therein. For example, an infant can be placed with its back against the front side 13 of the fabric panel 10 and its legs placed within the pocket 16. In this configuration, the front of the torso of the infant can rest against the chest of an adult. This allows for skin to skin contact with a seated parent or guardian should that be desired, while securely supporting the infant on the adult's chest for extended periods of time.
There are fasteners disposed on the fabric panel 10 configured to secure the infant support wrap onto itself, allowing for a simple method to close the wrap. In one embodiment of the child support wrap, the fasteners are a hook and loop material. The hook portion 18 of the fastener is disposed on the front side 13 of the first end 12 of the fabric panel 10. The entire back side of the fabric panel 10 comprises material that is compatible to be secured against a hook fastener similar to loop material, such that the hook portion 18 may be secured to any area of the back side 15 of the fabric panel 10. In another embodiment of the invention, there can be specific areas on the back side 15 of the fabric panel 10 having loop material affixed thereto that is compatible to be secured to the hook portion 18 of the fastener. The positions of the hook and the loop portions of the fastener can be inversed in alternative embodiments of the infant support wrap.
The fasteners are designed to be quickly disengaged so that an infant can be quickly removed should the need arise. For example, if a mother is holding an infant in a hospital setting and a health care professional requires instant access to the child in a medical emergency situation, hook and loop type fasteners can be very quickly disengaged and the infant can be released immediately. Fasteners other than a hook and loop type that offer a quick disengagement may also be used. In an alternate embodiment of the child support wrap, the fastener comprises a matching pair of male and female snaps members.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown perspective views of the infant support wrap as worn by an adult holding an infant. The infant support wrap is positioned in front of an adult user with the pocket centered across the adult's chest. The second end 14 of the fabric panel 10 is placed on the right side of the adult's torso, while the first end 12 of the fabric panel 10 wraps around left side, the back, and around the right side of the adult's torso. Once the wrap is complete, the first end of the fabric panel 10 is aligned so that the fastener 18 on the first end 12 can be secured to the corresponding fastener on the back side of the fabric panel 10. In some embodiments of the infant support wrap, the second end is placed on the left side of the torso and the wrap is completed in the opposite direction.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A wrap for an infant, comprising:

a pocket disposed on a front side of a fabric panel, the fabric panel having a first end and a second end, the pocket disposed at an intermediate position therebetween;

the fabric panel having a length greater than its height, wherein the height of fabric is greater in a middle section than at the first end or the second end;

a fastener disposed on first end configured to be secured to a back side of the fabric panel.

2) The support wrap of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the pocket is aligned with a bottom edge of the fabric panel.

3) The support wrap of claim 1, wherein the position of the pocket is offset toward the second end of the fabric panel.

4) The support wrap of claim 1, wherein the length of the fabric panel is a length sufficient to wrap around the torsos of an adult and an infant.

5) The support wrap of claim 1, wherein the fastener is hook fastener material and wherein the back side of the fabric panel comprises loop fastener material configured to securably connect to the hook fastener material.