Chairs and seats – With weather shield or insect protector – For child seat
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-04-03
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
With weather shield or insect protector
For child seat
C297S184100, C297S184110, C297S184120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209953
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a blanket cover for an infant seat or carrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Infants are often carried by hand and in the car in an infant seat or carrier which has a frame defining at its top an upwardly-facing opening. When in the seat, the infant is exposed to the elements-sun, wind and cold. In the cold weather, it is thus necessary to bundle the infant in a snowsuit or similar garment, which increases the difficulty of traveling with the infant, and can also make the infant too hot while in the car. Further, the infant retaining strap of the car seat must be loosened to accommodate a heavily dressed infant, and then re-adjusted when the infant is dressed normally.
Infant seat covers have been developed in attempt to address these problems. Two such covers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,946,221, and 5,309,586. However, the latter is simply a total cover which must be removed when the infant is out of the elements (e.g., buckled into the car seat). The former has an opening, to allow the infant to breathe easily, and to see and be seen. However, the opening also admits the elements which are desired to be blocked, thus decreasing the usefulness of that cover. Any such cover should be as quiet as possible to use, so there is a minimal chance of disturbing the infant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a protective cover for an infant seat or carrier which solves the problems associated with the prior art covers.
This invention results from the realization that a useful removable protective cover for an infant seat or carrier may be accomplished by including an opening which is selectively closeable with a flap member, to allow the cover to fully cover the infant temporarily while the infant is exposed to the elements, and also to allow the infant to see out (and be seen) while the infant is out of the elements, or in other situations in which a fill cover is not needed or desired.
This invention features a removable protective cover for an infant seat or carrier having a frame defining at its top an upwardly-facing opening, the cover comprising a pliable body member having dimensions sufficient to fit over the top of the frame and fully cover the frame opening. There are means for quietly removably securing the body member to the frame when the body member is covering the opening. There is also an infant face opening in the body member, and a flap member for selectively covering the infant face opening. Also included are means for quietly removably securing the flap member across and covering the infant face opening, to allow an infant in the seat or carrier to be selectively fully covered.
In the preferred embodiment, the means for removably securing the body member to the frame comprises and elastic member, which is preferably sewn into the entire periphery of the body member. Also, the means for removably securing the body member to the frame may comprise a securing member located around the periphery of the body member.
Also in the preferred embodiment, the means for quietly removably securing the flap member comprises a seam formed with the flap member and the body member, and further comprises a two part fastener, one part on the flap member opposite the seam, and the other part on the body member proximate the infant face opening, and opposite from the seam. The fastener is preferably a button type fastener, but may comprise a snap member, toggle and loop, tie, or equivalent fastener.
The body member may be made from a fleece material, a woven material, or a non-woven material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4946221 (1990-08-01), Livingston
patent: 5309586 (1994-05-01), Sies et al.
patent: 5363871 (1994-11-01), Garrand et al.
patent: 5437061 (1995-08-01), Kenner
patent: 5549354 (1996-08-01), Rosen
patent: 5730490 (1998-03-01), Mortenson
DeBilzan Elaine K.
Mackay David
Mackay Tracey
Cuomo Peter M.
Mirick, O'Connor, DeMallie and Lougee, LLP
White Rodney B.
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