Patent Application
20230397774
The present invention relates generally to a bathing harness and/or corresponding method(s) of use/manufacture having applications in at least the childcare industry.
The background description provided herein gives context for the present disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art.
Bathing newborns has always proved to be somewhat challenging, especially for new mothers. Traditional methods for bathing newborns are to cradle the baby's head and shoulders with one arm, and to support their body with the other arm. Gently lower your baby into the bath, feet first. Keep a close hold on your baby at all times. Gently wash your baby using a soft washcloth and warm water with a mild baby cleanser.
Known harnesses for children have been used primarily used to help adults hold and support their infants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,417 describes a harness used for training and assisting infants to walk during the early development stages and beyond. The harness functions to minimize back strain on the child caregiver by eliminating back bending when holding a child who is a significantly different height. The harness is not intended to become wet.
Another such harness assists toddlers who are learning how to walk to be used with their parents/caregivers, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,147,252. The harness resembles a safety climbing harness and is designed to safely hold a child who is learning how to walk, climb, ascend steps, and perform other similar physical activities. The harness is not designed to get wet.
Harnesses that are intended to get wet are not generally used for bathing but are instead used to teach an infant how to swim and therefore do not need to support as much of the infant's weight as they would if they were put into shallower water. For example, the harness described in U.S. Pre-grant Pub. No. 2006/0014448 is a handheld support harness device that consists of a mesh bordered by support fabric that supports a child's torso with a loop handle on each side of the fabric to receive the child's arms. The loop handles are strapped together by a hook and loop fastening strap and held by the adult, thus allowing the adult to hold the child in a horizontal position in the water. The device allows the child to move around safely and the parent to assist the child to learn to swim in an unobtrusive manner.
Similarly, the harness described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,6444 is a baby carrier, useful generally in water environments and featuring an integrated harness-seat-headrest. The carrier is constructed unitarily of a waterproof, flexible fabric, which is, at least in the seat portion, water-permeable, in order to rapidly drain water away from the baby.
Some harnesses in the art are a multi-purpose harness, however such harnesses purposes do not generally include bathing the baby. For example, the harness described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,272 is designed to facilitate the learning process of walking for these children. For older, handicapped children undergoing physiotherapy, it is an aid to mobility. The invention can be used in a number of other situations notably during car journeys acting as a safety aid in case of accident; as an aid to the learning of swimming, crawling, climbing up and down stairs and for learning in safety of skating, skate boarding, and skiing.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for a secure harness which allows persons to securely and easily hold a baby while it is in the water.
The following objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments, are not exhaustive and do not limit the overall disclosure. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments disclosed herein can be integrated with one another, either in full or in part.
It is a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to improve on or overcome the deficiencies in the art.
It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to allow for easy and comfortable control of slippery babies while they are being bathed.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to eliminate awkward positions otherwise required to securely hold a baby (or other small, slippery mammal). In some embodiments, the harness supports holding the baby without risk of slipping while the baby is in an upright position, while the baby is in a resting position wherein the baby's back is substantially parallel to the body of water, and while the baby is placed in positions therebetween.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to facilitate the hand-holding of a baby in damp conditions. The harness can be a freestanding, rigid or semi-rigid-sided product intended to carry an occupant (small slippery mammal), whose torso is completely supported by the product, to facilitate transportation by a caregiver by means of hand-holds or handles.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to comply with and exceed all U.S. rules and regulations related to harnesses used to secure human babies during bathing. For example, the harnesses described herein can comply with all Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rules and regulations for child harnesses. In some embodiments, the harness complies with ASTM F2050-19, the CPSC specification for hand-held infant carriers. In other embodiments, the harness complies with the ASTM F2236-14 standard for soft infant and toddler carriers. In a further related endeavor, it is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to comply with and exceed all global rules and regulations related to harnesses used to secure human babies during bathing. General ASTM requirements (i) for latching and locking mechanisms; (ii) to prohibit small parts, sharp points and edges; and (iii) to prevent scissoring, shearing, and pinching are beneficially met. Acceptable results from (i) entrapment testing for accessible holes and openings and (ii) torque/tension testing for graspable components are beneficially exceeded.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a soft harness so the harness does not cause friction or irritation to the occupant. The harness should still be strong enough to support the occupant without feeling flimsy. The soft material used shouldn't be too smooth however, as this could lead to slipping. Padding could potentially be utilized in a harness. However, padding would need to be located and/or waterproofed such that mold would not be likely to grow and such that the padding could be cleaned after repeated use.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to facilitate the restraint of the infant during bathing so that the baby does not accidentally harm themselves or the handler.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a hypoallergenic harness. For example, the harness should be free of materials that humans are commonly allergic to, such as latex.
It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide quick release fasteners so that the straps can be easily secured to the occupant. Side release buckles are shown herein. However, different kinds of closures could also work. For example, Velcro could be used however would need to be located so as not to come in contact with the occupant's skin so as to scratch the skin. Buckles can also be used but may take longer for the user to secure the occupant to the harness. Harnesses known in the art that include buckle trims and/or side release buckles are not used to support the weight of the wearer.
The harness disclosed herein can be used in a wide variety of applications. For example, the harness allows for one-handed control from either the front or back. Moreover, harnesses that incorporate identical and/or similar features could also be used to aid in bathing and/or handling slippery animals in the animal care industry, such as at zoos and aquariums.
It is preferred that the harness is cost effective. For example, it is important that the features of the harness are easily manufactured and scaled so that many babies and their mothers can take advance of the benefits described herein.
It is preferred that the harness is durable. For example, the harness should be rated to withstand weights well in excess of the range of weights for human children. The harness should ensure that fasteners do not break or disengage, and straps do not slip through fasteners by any significant amount while the child is being transported during the bathing process while in the harness.
It is preferred the apparatus be safe to use. The harness should be free from small parts; hazardous sharp points and edges; and faulty latching/locking mechanism (to ensure that infants remain in the harness's recommended use position(s) during bathing.
At least one embodiment disclosed herein comprises a distinct aesthetic appearance. Ornamental aspects included in such an embodiment can help capture a consumer's attention and/or identify a source of origin of a product being sold. Said ornamental aspects will not impede functionality of the harness.
Methods can be practiced which facilitate use, manufacture, assembly, maintenance, and repair of a bath harness which accomplish some or all of the previously stated objectives.
The bathing harness can be incorporated into systems or kits which accomplish some or all of the previously stated objectives.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a bathing harness comprises a chest strap formed from an anti-slip material and comprising a laterally oriented tri-glide strap adjuster; a front buckle attached to the chest strap; a front and neck strap formed from said anti-slip material and comprising a vertically oriented tri-glide strap adjuster; and an upper buckle attached to the neck strap.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the anti-slip material comprises a 100% polyester webbing. Optionally, the harness is rated to carry at least fifty pounds.
According to some alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the anti-slip material comprises a nylon webbing.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, a front portion and a neck portion of the front and neck strap are attached to the chest strap at two locations on the chest strap. Optionally, the front portion and the neck portion of the front and neck strap are orthogonally oriented with respect to the chest strap when the harness is laid flat.
In some embodiments, the device is symmetrical about the longitudinal axes of the front portion of the front and neck strap and the neck portion of the front and neck strap. Stated differently, the harness is substantially symmetrical about central plane that is in the middle of the planes defined by the upper surface and the lower surface of the webbings that form the chest strap and the head and neck straps, when the harness is laid flat. The substantial symmetry refers to a device that is designed symmetrically and appears to the ordinary observer a symmetrical object. For example, this observer will ignore deviations caused by imperfections that arise from the manufacturing process and/or any natural warping that occurs to the webbing. Stated differently, the harness is substantially symmetrical with respect to a thickness, but not about a width or a length after the chest strap is attached to the front and neck portions of the front and neck strap. Stated differently, the webbings used to construct (i) the chest strap, (ii) the front portion of the front and neck strap, and (iii) the neck portion of the head and neck strap are substantially symmetrical with respect to a width, length, and thickness before assembly and when considered in isolation. After constructing the harness, the harness itself is arranged such that overall symmetry remains in the harness with respect to thickness, but not with respect to width or length. In some embodiments, the male and female buckle members and/or other types of fasteners provided are symmetrical with respect to a thickness and/or a width.
Dimensionally, the front portion can be between fourteen and sixteen centimeters in length, the neck portion can be between thirty-five centimeters and forty-five centimeters, and the front portion and the neck portion are spaced apart from one another between six and nine centimeters along the chest strap. The chest strap can be between sixty and seventy centimeters in length and can be at least one and a quarter times a length of the front and neck strap.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, the front and neck strap can attach to the chest strap by way of a fold or a loop. The fold or the loop can be secured with a box X stitching.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, the front buckle and the upper buckle are side release buckles formed by a male buckle member and a female buckle member. The male buckle member can comprise a retaining block that accepts the chest strap and/or the front and neck strap; a center rod; and two resilient prongs equally spaced from the center rod, biased toward an outward position, and terminates at a front end of the retaining block. The female buckle member can comprise an open side; and two side holes which hold and secure the two resilient prongs of the male buckle member.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, the horizontally oriented tri-glide strap adjuster and vertically oriented tri-glide strap adjuster each comprise a frame with a width slightly larger than a width of the chest band and the front and neck strap; a bar in a middle of the frame; and openings between the frame and the bar that accept the chest band or the front and neck strap.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, the harness does not comprise organic fibers.
According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, the harness does not comprise polyamide.
According to some other aspects of the present disclosure, a harness comprises a first band comprising a first webbing slide; a second band comprising a first webbing slide; a first side release buckle attached to the first band; and a second side release buckle attached to the second band.
According to some other aspects of the present disclosure, a method for facilitating handling a slippery mammal comprises securing a chest strap to the slippery mammal by placing a male end of a front buckle on a first end of the chest strap to a female end of the front buckle on a second end of the chest strap; adjusting a first tri-glide strap adjuster located on the chest strap until the chest strap is taught against a chest of the slippery mammal; securing a front and neck strap to the slippery mammal by placing a male end of an upper buckle on a first distal end of the front and neck strap to a female end of the upper buckle on a second distal end of the front and neck strap; and adjusting a second tri-glide strap adjuster located on the front and neck strap such that the front and neck strap leaves enough room for a handler to slide a hand behind a head of the slippery mammal during a bathing process.
These and/or other objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings. The present disclosure encompasses (a) combinations of disclosed aspects and/or embodiments and/or (b) reasonable modifications not shown or described.
Several embodiments in which the present disclosure can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated.
An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite distinct combinations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated.
As shown in
The chest band 110 and the front and neck strap 140 most preferably comprise 100% polyester, as is represented illustratively by the hatch employed in
The 100% polyester material can be key in both (i) preventing slippage between the handler's hands and the mammal being bathed; and (ii) to provide proper strength to secure a mammal up to at least twenty five pounds (25 lbs), more preferably at least fifty pounds (50 lbs), and most preferably at least one hundred pounds (100 lbs).
The polyester webbing 112, 142 can feature a catch cord, or a yarn which binds the knitted needle edge of webbing woven on a needle loom. The catch cord prevents the fill yarn from unraveling at the cut end. Cutting webbing with a hotknife is also possible.
The 100% polyester webbing 112, 142 represents a most preferred material for the bathing harness 100. 100% polyester is readily available because of the prevalence of same in seat belts, but is not ordinarily used in harnesses or baby products. Rock climbing harnesses, for example, regularly utilize Nylon 66 and other polyamides.
It is to be appreciated other beneficial materials may be used in lieu of a 100% polyester webbing 112, 142, including, but not limited to: cotton, nylon, leather, materials constructed from synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof. Even further, it is contemplated that, depending on the application, there may be embodiments where it is beneficial for the harness to be made out of a sustainable fabric, such as organic hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, organic linen, recycled fabrics, lyocell, econyl, fabrics constructed from leaf fibers, spider silks, and mixtures thereof.
The chest strap 110 and front and neck strap 140 are attached to one another, such as by way of folds 114 and stitching 116 where the chest strap 110 intersects with the front portion 140A of the front and neck strap 140 and also where the chest strap 110 intersects with the neck portion 140B of the front and neck strap 140. The angles at which they are attached, when the harness 100 is laid flat, is preferably between seventy degrees (70°) and one hundred ten degrees (110°), more preferably between eighty degrees (80°) and one hundred degrees (100°), and most preferably orthogonal.
The chest strap 110 is sized to hold the occupant across the occupant's chest. For example, the chest strap 110 is preferably between thirty and one hundred centimeters (30 cm-100 cm), more preferably between forty-five and eighty-five centimeters (45 cm-85 cm), and most preferably between sixty and seventy centimeters (60 cm-70 cm).
The front portion 140A of the front and neck strap 140 is sized to help secure the occupant and attaches to the occupant around the occupant's neck without choking the occupant. For example, the front portion 140A is preferably between ten and twenty centimeters (10 cm-20 cm), more preferably between twelve and eighteen centimeters (12 cm-18 cm), and most preferably between fourteen and sixteen centimeters (14 cm-16 cm).
The neck portion 140B of the front and neck strap 140 is sized to help secure the occupant and attaches to the occupant around the occupant's neck without choking the occupant. For example, the neck portion 140B is preferably between twenty-five and fifty-five centimeters (25 cm-55 cm), more preferably between thirty and fifty centimeters (30 cm-50 cm), and most preferably between thirty-five centimeters and forty-five centimeters (35 cm-cm).
The front portion 140A and neck portion 140B are spaced apart from one another on the chest strap 110 to accommodate the width of the neck of the occupant. For example, the front portion 140A and the neck portion 140B are preferably between five and ten centimeters (5 cm-10 cm), more preferably between six and nine centimeters (6 cm-9 cm), and most preferably between seven and eight centimeters (7 cm-8 cm).
The chest strap 110 is preferably longer than the front and neck strap 140, more preferably at least one and a quarter times longer than the front and neck strap 140, and most preferably at least one and a half times longer than the front and neck strap 140.
Additional folds 144 and stitching 146 can be used to secure the female buckle members 136, 166 to a first end of the chest strap 110 and a distal end of the front portion 140A of the front and neck strap 140. Even further, while the embodiment shown in
The stitchings 116, 146 can be of any suitable type that secures each side of the folds 114, 144 of the straps 110, 140 to one another with sufficient strength so that neither the stitchings 116, 146 nor the folds 114, 144 come undone. One such beneficial stitch is the box X stitch shown in
At or near fold 144, the harness 100 can also include an energy management loop or rip stitching in which a section of the webbing is looped and stitched with special stitching. The function of this is to “rip” at a predetermined load, which reduces the maximum force transmitted through the belt to the occupant during a violent collision or fall, reducing injuries to the occupant of the harness.
As shown in
The openings 126, 128, 156, 158 of the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are preferably slightly wider than the webbings 112, 142 that they hold. The rectangular frames 122, 152 are preferably thick enough such that they do not bend or break after securing, bathing, and allowing the occupant to pull and tug on the harness 100. The rectangular frames 122, 152 have an overall length between two and five centimeters (2 cm-5 cm), more preferably between two and a half and four and a half centimeters and (2.5 cm-4.5 cm), and most preferably between three and four centimeters (3 cm-4 cm).
As shown in
The side release buckles 130, 160 are preferably slightly wider than the webbings 112, 142 that they hold. The male buckle members 131, 161 have an overall length between two and a half and five and a half centimeters (2.5 cm-5.5 cm), more preferably between three and five centimeters and (3.0 cm-5.0 cm), and most preferably between three and a half and four and a half centimeters (3.5 cm-4.5 cm). The female buckle members 136, 166 have an overall length between two and five centimeters (2 cm-5 cm), more preferably between two and a half and four and a half centimeters and (2.5 cm-4.5 cm), and most preferably between three and four centimeters (3 cm-4 cm). When buckled to one another, the side release buckles 130, 160 have an overall length between three and a half and six and a half centimeters (3.5 cm-6.5 cm), more preferably between four and six centimeters and (4.0 cm-6.0 cm), and most preferably between four and a half and five and a half centimeters (4.5 cm-5.5 cm).
In some embodiments, the side release buckles 130, 160 are directly adjacent the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 and/or there is a pair of additional tri-glide strap adjusters located immediately proximate to the side release buckles 130, 160, to enhance adjustability.
In operation, the harness 100 is generally first laid flat, as is shown in
An example method for handling a slippery mammal 200 comprises securing a chest strap 110 to the slippery mammal 200 by placing a male end 131 of a front buckle 130 on a first end of the chest strap 110 to a female end 136 of the front buckle 130 on a second end of the chest strap 110; adjusting a first tri-glide strap adjuster 120 located on the chest strap 110 until the chest strap 110 is taught against a chest of the slippery mammal 200; securing a front and neck strap 140 to the slippery mammal 200 by placing a male end 161 of an upper buckle 160 on a first distal end of the front and neck strap 140 to a female end 166 of the upper buckle 160 on a second distal end of the front and neck strap 140; and adjusting a second tri-glide strap adjuster 150 located on the front and neck strap 140 such that the front and neck strap 140 leaves enough room for a handler to slide a hand behind a head of the slippery mammal during a bathing process.
To aid in securing the straps 110, 140 to the occupant 200, the handler may choose to support the weight of the occupant in a carrier 204, such as a stroller, a crib, a counter, or other suitable support while buckling each of the side release buckles 130, 160 and/or adjusting the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150. The attached harness 100 is shown in
During bathing, one of the hands 202 of the handler are slipped through the harness 100 behind the back of the head of the occupant 200, as shown in
The harness 100 is preferably labelled with instructions for use and warnings against misuse. The warnings are intended to alert the caregiver to infant fall and suffocation hazards and promote safe use of soft infant and toddler carriers. Said instructions can include, but are not limited to including, the following warnings: (i) “Not intended to replace normal safety precautions.”, (ii) “Never leave baby unattended.”, (iii) “This product is not intended to lift or carry the baby.”, and (iv) “To be used by an adult only.”
The harness 100, as shown herein, includes only chest and front and neck straps. However, it is to be appreciated that the harness 100 can be adapted to include additional straps that can further secure the baby. For example, leg straps can be provided. Said leg straps could be included to further prevent falls by setting requirements for bounded and unbounded leg openings.
The harness 100, as shown herein, allows for a handler to slip their hand behind the occupant's head by inserting the hand under the front and neck strap. The harness 100 is free from traditional handles. However, it is to be appreciated that traditional handles could be included to either (i) carry the harness 100 when the harness 100 is not in use and/or (ii) to facilitate bathing.
The harness 100, when being stored in dry conditions, is substantially non-flammable (e.g., the harness 100 meets the flammability requirements of 16 C.F.R. part 1610, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein).
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present disclosure accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.
The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present disclosure pertain.
The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.
The term “or” is synonymous with “and/or” and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.
As used herein, the term “exemplary” refers to an example, an instance, or an illustration, and does not indicate a most preferred embodiment unless otherwise stated.
The term “about” as used herein refers to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.
The term “substantially” refers to a great or significant extent. “Substantially” can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variables, given proper context.
The term “generally” encompasses both “about” and “substantially.”
The term “configured” describes structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.
Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.
The “invention” is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims. The “scope” of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the disclosure is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 63/351,535, filed Jun. 13, 2022. The provisional patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, including without limitation, the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, appendices, or drawings thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63351535 | Jun 2022 | US |
