Patent Application
20240389685
This invention relates generally to the field of children's clothing, and more particularly to keeping children safe via improvements to children's clothing.
Parents want to keep their children safe. And every parent, especially parents with multiple young kids, has been in a position where one child is heading for a dangerous situation and only has one available hand to intervene. This situation can arise in multiple ways, but it often arises because the parent is already holding another child in the other arm.
What is needed is improved children's clothing that can help a parent or other caregiver stop a child from proceeding into a dangerous situation using only one hand. See, e.g.,
The present invention solves this problem by providing a garment with a sewn-in chest harness comprising vertical and/or horizontal handles. The harness acts as its own support structure, independent of the garment fabric. The circumferential straps prevent localized stress on the garment material and the hook and loop (Velcro) closure at the front allows the harness to secure to itself without interfering or connecting to any zipper that may be on the garment. This invention allows caregivers to safely lift, stop, and assist children with one hand.
A clear understanding of the key features of the invention summarized above are referenced to the appended drawings that illustrate the method and system of the invention. It will be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope regarding other embodiments that the invention is capable of contemplating. Accordingly:
The invention is embodied in a garment comprising a body section and arms. The garment is preferably a child's onesie, but any garment having a body and arms would suffice. The garment is preferably directed to children's clothing, but could be used on other size clothing, too.
In a basic embodiment, the garment comprises a first circumferential strap 10. The circumferential strap is preferably made from traditional webbing material but other materials known in the art could suffice. The circumferential strap 10 is preferably connected to the body of the garment below the arms via two rows of stitching. The circumferential strap 10 is preferably connected all the way around the body of the garment and then to itself to effectively provide a circumferential harness connected to the garment. A handle 12, which is also preferably made from webbing, is connected to the first circumferential strap 10 in at least two locations two locations. Doing so leaves an unconnected length between the two locations, forming the handle 12. In effect, the first handle is an upside-down U-shaped hoop connected on either end to the first circumferential strap 10. A caregiver can grab this handle with one hand to stop, protect or otherwise assist a child.
If the garment has a zipper 14, like a typical onesie would, the circumferential strap 10 can be connected around the body of the garment beginning on one side of the zipper 14 and ending on the other side of the zipper 14. From there, the circumferential strap 10 comprises an extension section (a “first unconnected section 16”). The first unconnected section 16 comprises a first overlap section 18. The first overlap section 18 is removably connected to the circumferential strap 10 via a matable connection. It is preferred that the matable connection be a hook and loop connection. But snaps, zippers, buttons and other mateable connections known in the art can also suffice. This configuration permits the circumferential strap to be connected to itself all the way around the body of the garment while leaving access to the zipper 14.
The preferred embodiment of the garment further comprises a second circumferential strap 20. The second circumferential strap 20 is preferably configured the same way as the first circumferential strap 10. For example, the second circumferential strap also preferably comprises webbing material connected to body of the onesie below the arms. The second circumferential strap 20 also comprises a second connected section and a second unconnected section 26. A second overlap section 28 is configured to removably connect the second unconnected section 26 to the connected section of the second circumferential strap 20.
A second handle 22 could be configured the same way as on the first circumferential strap 10. But is preferred to orient the second handle 22 vertically. This can be accomplished by connecting webbing to the first circumferential strap and the second circumferential strap, leaving an unconnected length of webbing between the first circumferential strap 10 and the second circumferential strap 20 forming a second handle 22.
While the present invention has been described above with reference to various exemplary embodiments, many changes, combinations and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the various components may be implemented in alternative ways. These alternatives can be suitably selected depending upon the particular application or in consideration of any number of factors associated with the operation of the device. In addition, the techniques described herein may be extended or modified for use with other types of devices. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63469300 | May 2023 | US |
