This invention relates generally to a protective covering for children's clothing. In particular, the present invention pertains to a bib, toy and teething device combination.
Bibs have long been used to protect a baby's clothing while the baby eats or plays. Bibs prevent food, drink, and bodily fluids like saliva, from soiling the clothing. Many times parents and caregivers leave a bib on a child for numerous hours in order to protect clothing.
Teething rings or teethers are devices for babies to use to soothe gums and provide a teething baby to bite on. The biting activity relieves the pain of teething and also helps the baby's new teeth to break through the gum line. Typically, a teething device is unattached and can be thrown or dropped easily. As known, infants are prone to dropping toys, teething rings, pacifiers, and other devices, exposing them to unsanitary and dirty conditions. These devices have to be constantly picked up and then should be cleaned before the child can resume playing with or teething the devices. In addition, a common problem is that a baby may drop the toy that they are playing with on the floor, and this often becomes a repetitive action. If a floor is dirty, it may not be possible to give the toy or teething device back to the baby. Most infants also lack the manual dexterity and the attention to grasp a toy or teething device for an extended period. Adults can use handles and hold toys and teething devices for the baby, however, this action may be tedious and not always convenient for the adult.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,650 to Milloy describes a pacifier bib formed from a flat panel of fabric having a wishbone shape which includes a flap extending downwardly adapted to have its distal end folded over into a closed loop for attaching the handle of a pacifier to the bib. The pacifier can be removed, however there is no integrated means provided for attaching the pacifier to an infant at an alternative location for easy access.
United Kingdom patent application GB2506972 to Livingstone et al. describes a bib having a first pliable material for attachment around the neck of a child and a chewable portion attached to the pliable material for teething. The teething portion is made from a resilient material and securely attached to the bib portion.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.
It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-purpose bib device that includes a removable toy and teether combination. The invention is configured such that the toy and teether may be detached from the bib and mounted to a child's wrist with the ability for the child to mouth, chew, play and also potentially interchange different toys to the wrist band.
In one aspect, the present system introduces a novel bib device and teething or toy device combination. In yet another aspect, the present device introduces a novel three-in-one teething bib device with a detachable stuffed toy that may be affixed using a securing means. In certain embodiments, the detachable stuffed toy may be affixed using strap-like devices that may wrap around a baby's body part or other items such as car seat straps, carriage handles, etc. The bib device with a detachable toy combination provides for detachment such that the toy with attached teether may also act as an independent teething device to provide comfort to a teething baby. The present device can reduce the unnecessary, repetitive dropping or throwing of toys and teethers by an infant and help to protect the infant from unsanitary play or contamination during teething. The toy and teething device is releasably attached to the bib providing a multi-faceted toy and teether that is easily accessible to the infant while wearing the bib device. Realizing one aspect of the device is a new bib, toy, and teether device combination, wherein the toy may be removable from the bib and the teething device may be removable from the toy, in order to provide a three-in-one mechanism that aids the infant in teething while preventing the toy and teether from falling on the ground.
In another aspect there is provided a bib toy teething device comprising: a bib body having an upper portion comprising a collar for releasably securing about the neck of a child and a lower portion comprising an aperture; a detachable toy comprising: a toy body; and a pair of straps attached to the toy body, at least one of the pair of straps configured to be received into the aperture on the lower portion of the bib body, the pair of straps comprising complementary strap attachment means to attach the pair of straps together; and a teether attached to the detachable toy.
In an embodiment of the device, the aperture on the lower portion of the bib body is a slit. In another embodiment of the device, the lower portion of the bib body comprises a pair of parallel slits.
In another embodiment of the device, when the detachable toy is attached to the bib body, the teether extends toward the collar.
In another embodiment of the device, the teether comprises a teether aperture for receiving a teether securing strap on the detachable toy.
In another embodiment of the device, the teether securing strap comprises a closure with a complementary closure on the detachable toy to releasably attach the teether.
In another embodiment, the device comprises two teether securing straps with a complementary closure on each strap.
In another embodiment of the device, the complementary closure is selected from Velcro®, a snap closure, a clasp, a buckle, a clip, and a magnet.
In another embodiment of the device, the teether is selected from a ring, pacifier, soother, tag, rattle, and figure.
In another embodiment of the device, the teether is detachable from the detachable toy.
In another embodiment of the device, the bib body comprises at least one of an absorbent material and a waterproof material.
In another embodiment of the device, the complementary strap attachment means on the pair of straps on the detachable toy comprise at least one of Velcro®, a snap closure, a clasp, a buckle, a clip, and a magnet.
In another embodiment of the device, the detachable toy is stuffed toy.
In another embodiment of the device, the aperture is between 5 cm-25 cm from the collar.
In another embodiment of the device, the pair of straps attached to the toy body forms a loop sized to fit around the wrist of an infant.
In another aspect there is provided a bib toy teething device comprising: a flexible bib body having an upper portion comprising a collar for releasably securing about the neck of a child and a lower portion comprising a pair of parallel slits; a detachable toy comprising: a toy body; and a pair of straps attached to the toy body, the pair of straps comprising complementary strap attachment means to secure the pair of parallel straps together through at least one of the pair of parallel slits; and a teether releasably attached to the detachable toy.
In an embodiment of the device, the teether is releasably attached to the detachable toy with a teether securing strap having a complementary closure on the detachable toy. In another embodiment of the device, the complementary strap attachment means comprises at least one of Velcro®, a snap closure, a clasp, a buckle, a clip, and a magnet. In another embodiment of the device, the pair of parallel slits are between 5 cm-25 cm from the collar.
In another aspect there is provided a bib toy teething device comprising: a bib body having an upper portion forming a collar for releasably securing about the neck of a child and a lower portion comprising an aperture; a detachable toy comprising: a toy body; and a strap attached to the toy body, the strap configured to be received into the aperture on the lower portion of the bib body to attach the detachable toy to the bib body; and a teether attached to the detachable toy.
In an embodiment of the device, the detachable toy comprises a pair of straps.
For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The term “comprising” as used herein will be understood to mean that the list following is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any other additional suitable items, for example one or more further feature(s), component(s) and/or element(s) as appropriate.
All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
The term “infant” or “baby” as used herein encompasses all young people who would wear a bib, such as those referred to as infants, babies, and toddlers. It is also understood that the presently described bib device may also be worn by people with special needs or the elderly.
The terms “teether” and “teething device” as used herein can refer to any object meant for chewing or sucking by an infant or baby. The teether can be made of any durable material suitable for sucking, gumming or chewing. The teether can be any shape, and is preferably a ring, pacifier, soother, tag, rattle, or figure.
The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout several views. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments of the claimed invention.
A bib, toy, and teether combination device is disclosed, wherein a three-in-one mechanism provides a sanitary, wearable device for teething infants and babies. The overall device comprises a bib, a detachable toy, and a teether, wherein the teether is affixed to the detachable toy and the detachable toy may be detached from the bib and affixed to an infant's wrist or other body part, or the detachable toy may be affixed to the bib, ensuring the toy and teething ring are easily accessible to the user. In one embodiment, a three-in-one tool, teether, and bib device is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the detachable toy is capable of being affixed using strap mechanisms to a body part like a baby's wrist, hand, or arm. When the toy is attached to an infant, the toy and teether then avoids being thrown or dropped. The toy and teether may also be affixed to a carriage handle, car seat, or other item that has handles. The securing means may include a snapping device, Velcro®, or other securing means. The teething device or teether may include a standard teething ring, a pacifier, or other soother or device to comfort an infant. The removable toy may be also affixed to the bib device with a strap through at least one aperture. Once the strap is inserted through at least one aperture, it can then be secured through the use of a securing means like Velcro®, snapping mechanisms, or other securing mechanisms. Preferably, the bib body has two apertures for receiving one or two straps on the detachable toy, preventing the detachable toy from rotating when attached to the bib. Preferably, the aperture or apertures are a slit or parallel slits to further prevent rotation of the toy and to securely position the toy on the bib.
Turning now to the figures,
The teether 14 may include any element designed for teething and/or sucking by an infant. The teether 14 shown is a ring-style teether, though it is understood that a variety of teethers may be attached to the teether securing means 18, such as but not limited to a pacifier, ring, tag, rattle, figure, or any teething or sucking device having an aperture capable of receiving the teether securing means 18. Non-limiting examples of teether 14 include a teeth soother or any other object with a handle or loop that may be affixed to the detachable toy 12 by teething securing means 18. The teether can be smooth, or textured with nubs, striations, patterns, or a combination thereof, to provide the infant with elements for gum stimulation. The teether may be made of any resilient, flexible, or hard material, or combination thereof, suitable and safe for and infant to gum, suck, and/or chew. Preferably the teether is detachable from the detachable toy 12. In another embodiment, the teether 14 may also be integrated with or securely attached to the detachable toy 12 such that it is not removable from the toy. In certain embodiments, the detachable toy 12 may be a stuffed toy, plush toy, or other comparable toy.
The bib body 16 may comprise any clothing covering in any reasonable size in order to protect the infant child's clothing. The material of the bib body 16 may be cloth, fleece, or any type of fabric, and may be waterproof or non-waterproof, and preferably flexible. The upper portion of the bib body 16 has an edge with a pair of attachment arms 20 to wrap around the neck of an infant which when attached forms a collar. Each attachment arm 20 has a bib securing means 22 to secure the pair of attachment arms 20 around the infant's neck. The bib securing means 22 can be a snap, Velcro™, clasp, buckle, or any other attachment device suitable for use in an infant garment. Bib securing means 22 shown in
The pair of straps 32a, 32b on the detachable toy each have a complementary fastening mechanism or strap attachment means 34a, 34b, shown in
In another embodiment, the detachable toy can have a single strap with an attachment means and complementary attachment means on the detachable toy. In this embodiment, the single strap on the detachable toy can be fitted into a single aperture, or fed through two apertures on the lower portion of the bib body and secured to the detachable toy to form a loop. The single strap or pair of straps on the detachable toy preferably forms a loop sized to fit around the wrist of an infant. The distance between the attachment points of the pair of straps on the detachable toy, and thereby the circumference of the loop, is preferably between 10 cm to 20 cm to accommodate an infant wrist. With a single strap on the detachable toy, the same loop can be created with one of the attachment points on the end of the single strap and the other on the detachable toy. The strap or straps on the detachable toy can be made of any suitable pliable or flexible material and may be stretchy.
The detachable toy 12 is attached to teether 14. The teether 14 can be, for example, a teething ring, soother, or pacifier, and may be attached to the detachable toy 12 through the use of a teether securing means 18. The teether can be securely attached to the detachable toy such that it is not detachable. Preferably, the teether is detachably attached to the detachable toy with teether securing means so that it can be removed, replaced, or washed independently from the detachable toy. The teether securing means 18 for attaching the teether to the detachable toy may be a strap in combination with any suitable attachment device, such as tying, snapping, buttoning, and may comprise one or more piece of Velcro®, hook and loop closure system, a snap closure, a clasp, a buckle, a clip, and a magnet, or any other attachment device or other comparable securing means suitable for an infant garment. When fully assembled, the teether 14 can be affixed to the detachable toy 12 by use of the teether securing means 18, and then the detachable toy affixed the bib device body 16 by inserting the pair of straps 32a, 32b through slit apertures 25a and 25b and securing the straps through the use of the pair of straps 34a, 34b. When fully in use, the bib device 24 may be secured by use of the bib securing means 22 around an infant baby's neck.
Shown in
All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains and are herein incorporated by reference. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways, and that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure. Elements of an implementation of the device descried herein may be independently implemented or combined with other implementations. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/409,879, filed Oct. 19, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country |
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2506972 | Apr 2014 | GB |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180103690 A1 | Apr 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62409879 | Oct 2016 | US |