Chairs and seats – With weather shield or insect protector – For child seat
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-02
2003-02-11
White, Rodney B. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
With weather shield or insect protector
For child seat
C297S184100, C297S184110, C297S184150, C297S184170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06517153
ABSTRACT:
While many infant carrier provide a sun visor which can be pulled to partially cover the infant's face, the repeated changes of direction of the automobile will often prevent the visor from being effective for this purpose. Thus, there is a need for a cover which will shield an infant from the glare of the sun while traveling in a car. Additionally, such a visor should be able to be used with the carrier or a portable bed when the carrier is removed from the automobile.
Yet another problem common with automobiles is the existence of flies and other insects which may enter the automobile if a window is left open. Flies or other insects can often carry diseases which can harm the infant. Most covers which are commonly available on the market, however, provide no protection to the infant from such insects. Additionally, other insects such as wasps and bees may sting an infant and may cause serious health problems if the child allergic to bee stings or wasp stings.
Still another concern with infant carriers is that the child is not protected from the wind or precipitation if he or she is removed the car. While within a car, an infant will generally not be tightly bundled in a blanket or have a coat on due to the concerns of the child overheating. However, as soon as the vehicle stops and the door is open, the child is subject to cold weather, rain, snow, etc. Thus, it is desirable to have a cover for an infant carrier which will protect the child from the elements without the need for dressing and undressing the child every time the child is moved into and out of the vehicle.
Still another concern for parents of young children is unwanted touching. Often strangers or friends will approach an infant and play with the infants hands or face. While the strangers, etc., are generally well meaning, any germs on their hands will be communicated to the child. When the child places his hands in his mouth, the germs will be ingested. A well meaning stranger or friend can readily communicate a cold, the flu, or other infections to the child. Thus, it is desirable to provide a cover which inhibits the ability of others to touch the infant without the express consent of the parent.
Still yet another concern which is common for parents of infants while riding in a car seat is that the infant may easily become bored and begin to cry. Numerous accidents have been caused by a driver attempting to look at or touch an infant to calm them when agitated. While infants can often be entertained with various toys, an uncovered infant carrier allows the toy to fall or be thrown from the carrier. To return the toy to the carrier, the driver must usually take his or her eyes off the road, thereby increasing the likelihood of an accident.
The ability to entertain a child is particularly important when the infant carrier is covered with netting or some other type of cover. Because the visibility of the infant is limited by the cover, there must be adequate visual stimulation to keep the child's attention for a prolonged period of time.
Thus, it is desirable that a cover for infant carriers and the like be provided with a row of toys or entertainment that are positioned in front of the child and which will not accidently be removed from the carrier while driving.
Numerous attempts have been made to protect infants from the sun and to otherwise provide entertainment to the child. One common device for shielding children from sun is a small round sun screen which sticks to a window. However, each screen only blocks the sun from one direction. When the vehicle changes direction, the sun's direct rays come through the window from a different location or from a different window altogether. Not only does the sun screen not work at keeping the sun out of the infant's eyes, it obstructs the driver's view somewhat and has to be removed altogether at night.
While using a blanket draped over the sun visor canopy in front of the infant's face works great at keeping the sun out of the infants's eyes, the driver must keep an eye on the blanket to make sure it does not slide down on to the infant's face and smother him.
One invention exists which claims to protect an infant from weather and insects while seated in any type of infant carrier. U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,490 was designed to utilize the handle of the infant carrier to support the carrier cover and form a tent over the carrier. The main disadvantage to this type of cover is that it cannot be used in a moving vehicle as the manufacturers of infant carriers suggest the handle be locked in place in the horizontal position behind the carrier. Therefore, it provides limited protection from the sun or insects while in a moving vehicle. It also does not provide a means for keeping the attention of a child. Young infants may not grasp a toy or have the ability to search for a toy that has fallen on his lap. Once the toy is dropped, he is no longer able to entertain himself with the toy.
Other inventions exist which protect an infant from the sun while the infant is seated in an infant carrier. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,639 incorporates the use of dual sun shade devices which attach to the U-shaped handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,231 also requires the use of the U-shaped handle for attachment of the sun visor and only covers half of the carrier allowing incomplete sun protection. Neither of the above referenced inventions can be utilized in a moving vehicle for the same reason noted above for U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,490.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,674 does not require the use of the U-shaped carrier handle and could thus be used in a moving vehicle. However, its use appears to be dependent upon fasteners which must be attached to the carrier cover by the consumer. It is also a single function device. It does not protect against precipitation, wind or insects. It also does not entertain the infant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,315 incorporates a toy bar for entertaining purposes, but it is an entirely different type of infant seat. It is not a car seat. While it could be used out of doors, it provides little protection against insects, sun, wind or precipitation.
In short, there is a need for a car seat cover which protects a seated infant from sun, wind, precipitation and insects both inside and out of a moving vehicle, and which enables ready entertainment of the infant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cover for an infant carrier and the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cover which protects and infant from sun, insects and weather conditions.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cover which can be used while a vehicle is in motion and which does not interfere with proper mounting of a child carrier to its base.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide such a cover which provides for entertainment of a child while the child is disposed beneath the cover.
The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an all weather protective infant carrier cover/activity center formed by an inner cover and an outer cover and a support bar disposed within the cover independent of the handle of the carrier to maintain the form of the cover without interfering with use of the handle for carrying or for locking the carrier into its base for use in a moving car.
By providing a inner cover and an outer cover, the invention protects a infant in several ways. It provides protection from insects, sun, wind and precipitation; and discourages unwanted touching of the infant by strangers, thus preventing the transmission of germs by touch to the infant who does not have a fully developed immune system.
The construction of the cover, also facilitates the formation of an entertainment/activity area immediately in front of the infant to provide entertainment for the infant both inside and out of a moving vehicle.
The cover is preferably composed of washable, breathable textile materials. Preferably, the inner cover is formed of
Morriss Bateman O'Bryant & Compagni
White Rodney B.
LandOfFree
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