US2462786A

US2462786A - Pacifier

Info

Publication number: US2462786A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nat P Steckler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-08-16
Filing date: 1946-08-16
Publication date: 1949-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 1966-02-22

Description

Feb. 22, 194,9. N. P. STECKLER PACIFIER Filed Aug. 16, 1946 INVENTQR P SrL-CHER /VA r ATTO R N EY Patented Feb. 22, 1949 A UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICEv PACIFIER Nat P. Steckler', New York, N. Y. Application August 16, 1946, Serial No. 691,014

2 claims. (c1. 12s- 360) My invention relates to improvements in pac iers which are adapted to soothe infants and to provide a medium for massage of their gums during the natural process of teething. The objects of my improvements are: First, to provide a nipple, a guard, and a gum massaging and teething means, all if unitary construction, as the body portion of the pacifer, so that it will be impossible for the infant to separate these features and admit them separately into its mouth and choke thereby; second, to further provide as optional, additional features of the described unit, reinforced arms with reinforced openings which are adapted to securely fasten a ring or bell or other amusing ornament to the aforesaid unit; third, to provide a nipple, a guard, gum massaging and teething means, and a ring as a complete inseparable unit of construction; and fourth, to introduce the method whereby the nipple, guard, gum massaging and teething means, and ring can be molded as a unit, then having the ring stamped olf, thereby eliminating a separate molding operation for the ring.

I attain these objects by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure lis a View of the combination of the nipple, guard, gum massaging and teething means, and ring constructed as a unit; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the nipple, guard, and gum massaging and teething means; Figure 3 is a plan view of the body portion comprising nipple, guard, gum massaging and teething means, reinforced arms, ring and bell; Figure 4 is a vertical section of the view in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view of the plan of the side of the guard opposite the nipple showing a section of the arms at the plane of the reinforced holes therein; and Figure 6 shows the nipple, guard, gum massaging and teething means and plastic stem and ring adapted thereto.

Similar numerals relate to similar parts throughout the several views.

The nipple I, the guard 2, and the gum massaging and teething means 3, are molded in one unit together with a ring which may be either the movable ring 8, or the fixed ring I0, which is placed in relation to the outer edge of the gum massaging and teething means 3. The ring is later stamped off and either fastened in a fixed position as in Figure 1, or movably by means of the arms 4 and a metallic rod, or ring as in Figure 3, or by means of another suitable attachment. I prefer to use gum rubber for these parts but any equivalent as may be suitable can be used. The unit may also be molded with the arms 4 and their respective reinforcing beads 5, as a part of the process'of molding. A space 26 and an annular opening I5, are formed in the body portion of the device as thus far described. The space 26, between the circumferential walls of the nipple I, may be filled either with soft rubber 9 as in Figure 4, or may be air filled, in which event a proper air vent should be provided so that the infant may enjoy normal sucking by collapsing the nipple, as shown in Figure 6. A soft jelly may also be used to iill the space 26.

The embodiment of my improvement as shown in Figure 1 reveals a pacier of unit construction which cannot be pulled apart by the infant, which is easily kept clean and with no cracks or crevices in which dirt or germs can collect. The gum massaging and teething means 3, around the periphery of the guard 2, is a new feature and is a part of the unitary construction. The infant may use these means or its irritated gums in addition to using the nipple for soothing and satisfaction. As shown in Figure 3, the ring and a bell, or other amusing device are securely fastened to the arms emanating from the nipple and guard. The arms have reinforced openings I4, through which all of the parts are fastened together as shown in the drawing. The arms themselves have a reinforcement 5, running around the outside edge. As a result, it is impossible for the infant to dislodge or separate any of the parts and swallow them or choke on them.

Figure 6 shows a variation of my improvement to the basic portion unit of the nipple, guard, and gum massaging and teething means. A plastic stem I I, adapted to hold a ring I2, is inserted through the opening I5. While I prefer to use plastic, any other suitable material may be used. The stem is inserted in the opening I5, and kept in secure combination by the resilient quality of the material in the body portion. As an added safety factor, this unit is further secured with cement or other suitable method of fastening. The ring I2, is adapted to the stem I I, by having the opening 'l in the stem completely encircle the ring. A split I6, in the ring, is for the purpose of inserting said ring in the mentioned opening 1, and is then closed by cement or other suitable fastening. In this variation, I show a collar I3, which is used to close the ring. The combination of the rubber and plastic as shown in the accompanying drawing is new and effective. As was mentioned above, if the space 26, between the circumferential Walls of the nipple is to be air filled, a proper air vent 6, should be provided in the stem I I.

I am aware that prior to my invention, paciers have been made with nipples, guards and rings. I, therefore, do not claim such a combination broadly; but I claim:

1. The combination, in a pacier, of a body portion having a hollow nipple, a guard, gum massag ing and teething means around the outer circumferential edge of the said guard, a plurality of reinforced arms emanating from a flat surface of the guard, and a space within the walls o f the said nipple, all of oneV piece, inseparablev unitary 10 construction, the said space containing a soft filling, and the said arms adapted to hold a ring,

substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a pacier, of a body portion having a hollow nipple, a guard, gum;rrrassag-k u;a

ing and teething means around the outer circurnf ferential edge of the said guard, a plurality of` re-Y inforced arms emanating from a flat surface oi the guard, and a space Within the Walls of the said nipple, all of one piece, inseparable unitary construction, the said space containing. a soft filling,

4 and the said arms adapted to hold a ring and an amusement device, substantially as set forth.

NAT P. STECKLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED s'rrxrrlasv PATENTS,