A teether is an object that is designed for a baby to bite on. As its name implies, a teether is typically intended to provide comfort and relief during teething. Teethers are commonly designed with a ring shape to allow the baby to hold one side of the teether while biting on the other.
The present invention extends to teethers having a base, a biting structure that extends distally from the base, and one or more handles that extend proximally from the base. The base has a hollow interior with both a proximal opening and a distal opening. The biting structure is also hollow and includes a proximal opening such that the biting structure has a proximally-facing concave interior. As a result of this design, a baby may use the teether by either grasping the one or more handles or by inserting his or her fingers through the base and into the concave interior of the biting structure. With the baby's fingers inserted into the concave interior of the biting structure, the baby can satisfy the desire to insert his or her fingers into the mouth while also biting on the teether.
In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a teether that includes: a base having a proximal end and a distal end, the base having a hollow interior such that the proximal and distal ends of the base form openings into the hollow interior; a biting structure that extends distally from the proximal end of the base, the biting structure having a proximal end coupled to the distal end of the base and an enclosed distal end, the biting structure forming a proximally-facing concave interior that is accessible via the hollow interior of the base; and one or more handles that extend proximally from the proximal end of the base, each handle forming an opening by which the hollow interior of the base is accessible.
In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a teether that includes: a base having a hollow interior; a biting structure that extends distally from the base, the biting structure forming a proximally-facing concave interior, the biting structure having an outer surface that is configured in the shape of a fruit; and handles that extend proximally from the base, each handle forming an opening between the handle and a proximal end of the base by which the hollow interior of the base is accessible, the handles being configured to form an additional opening between the handles by which the hollow interior of the base is also accessible.
In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a teether that includes: a base having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow interior, an outer surface of the base being configured to resemble foliage; a biting structure that extends distally from the proximal end of the base, the biting structure forming a proximally-facing concave interior that is accessible via the hollow interior of the base, an outer surface of the biting structure being configured to resemble a fruit; and one or more handles that extend proximally from the proximal end of the base.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
In this specification and the claims, proximal will be used to refer to the end of the teether where the base and handles are formed while distal will be used to refer to the opposing end of the teether where the fruit is formed. Accordingly, the biting structure of a teether extends distally from the base while the handles extend proximally from the base.
Biting structure 102 includes a proximal end 102a that couples to distal end 101b of base 101. Biting structure 102 is also hollow but has an enclosed distal end such that proximal end 102a provides access to a proximally-facing concave interior. As is best shown in
Teether 100 also includes handles 103a, 103b that extend proximally from opposing sides (e.g., front and back sides) of base 101. The corresponding ends of handles 103a, 103b emanate from a common base extension 103 but extend proximally away from base 101 to form openings 103a1, 103b1 on opposing sides of base 101. Accordingly, proximal end 101a of base 101 is accessible via openings 103a1, 103b1 and via an opening 103c formed between handles 103a, 103b. Openings 103a1, 103b1, and 103c enable a baby to easily grasp teether 100 via handles 103a, 103b while also providing access into the hollow interior formed by base 101 and biting structure 102.
Base 101 can also include a number of extensions 104 that protrude primarily in a lateral direction from base 101 but may also or alternatively protrude in a frontward or rearward direction. In some embodiments, each extension 104 can emanate from base 101 while in other embodiments, one or more extensions 104 may at least partially emanate from another extension 104.
Extensions 104 can function as a structure to prevent over-insertion of teether 100 into a baby's mouth and as supplemental biting structures. In the depicted embodiment, multiple extensions emanate from each side of base 101 and are configured to resemble leaves of a strawberry.
Biting structure 202 includes a proximal end 202a that couples to distal end 201b of base 201. Biting structure 202 is also hollow but has an enclosed distal end such that proximal end 202a provides access to a proximally-facing concave interior. As with teether 100, the hollow interiors of base 201 and biting structure 202 form a cavity into which a baby may insert his or her fingers. In some embodiments, the outer surface of biting structure 202 may include spaced protrusions 205 to form a texture on the biting surface that resembles the texture of a pineapple.
Teether 200 also includes handles 203a, 203b that extend proximally from opposing sides (e.g., front and back sides) of base 201. Unlike handles 103a, 103b which emanate from a common base extension 103, handles 203a, 203b each extend from an opposing side and terminate towards the middle of base 201. Therefore, each handle 203a, 203b is offset towards the left of the corresponding front or back of teether 202. Each handle 203a, 203b forms an opening 203a1, 203b1 respectively through which proximal end 201a of base 201 is accessible. An opening 203c is also formed between handles 203a, 203b. As is best seen in
Base 201 can also include a number of extensions 204 similar to extension 104. In particular, extensions 204 can function as a structure to prevent over-insertion of teether 200 into a baby's mouth and as supplemental biting structures. In the depicted embodiment, extensions 204 are configured to resemble leaves of a pineapple plant. Teether 200 can otherwise be configured in the same or similar manner as described above for teether 100.
Biting structure 302 includes a proximal end 302a that couples to distal end 301b of base 301. Biting structure 302 is also hollow but has an enclosed distal end such that proximal end 302a provides access to a proximally-facing concave interior. As with teethers 100 and 200, the hollow interiors of base 301 and biting structure 302 form a cavity into which a baby may insert his or her fingers. The outer surface of biting structure 302 may be contoured with protrusions 305 to form a texture on the biting surface that resembles a bunch of grapes.
Teether 300 also includes handles 303a, 303b that extend proximally from opposing sides (e.g., front and back sides) of base 301. One side of each handle 303a, 303b emanates from a common base extension 303 while the opposite side of each handle 303a, 303b extends to a middle portion of the corresponding front or rear of base 301. Each handle 303a, 303b therefore is in alignment on one side of teether 300. Handles 303a, 303b may include a texture to facilitate gripping. Although not shown in the figures, handles 103a, 103b, 203a, 203b could also include a similar texture.
Each handle 303a, 303b forms an opening 303a1, 303b1 respectively through which proximal end 301a of base 301 is accessible. An opening 303c is also formed between handles 303a, 303b. As is best seen in
Base 301 can also include a number of extensions 304 similar to extensions 104, 204. In particular, extensions 304 can function as a structure to prevent over-insertion of teether 300 into a baby's mouth and as supplemental biting structures. In the depicted embodiment, extensions 304 are configured to resemble leaves of a grape plant. Teether 300 can otherwise be configured in the same or similar manner as described above for teethers 100 and 200.
With regards to each of the above described and depicted embodiments, the distance to which proximal end 101a/201a/301a extends from distal end 101b/201b/301b can be varied to cause base 101/201/301 to also resemble leaves. The contour of the outer surface of base 101/201/301 can also be varied (e.g., by varying the thickness of the sidewall of base 101/201/301) to provide different levels of leaf-shaped structures as is best seen in
With specific reference to the cross-sections shown in
In summary, the present invention provides a teether design that forms a proximally-facing concave interior within a biting structure and base of the teether and that provides access to this hollow interior via openings formed within/between handles that extend proximally from the base. This design enables a baby to insert his or her fingers into/towards the mouth while simultaneously biting on the teether. The proximally-faced concave interior also facilitates cleaning the teether and prevents the growth of bacteria or other harmful organisms.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Design Patent Application No: 29/609,010 which was filed on Jun. 27, 2017. This application is also a continuation of U.S. Design Patent Application No: 29/618,341 which was filed on Sep. 20, 2017. This application is also a continuation of U.S. Design Patent Application No: 29/618,558 which was filed on Sep. 21, 2017.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29609010 | Jun 2017 | US |
Child | 15729390 | US | |
Parent | 29618341 | Sep 2017 | US |
Child | 29609010 | US | |
Parent | 29618558 | Sep 2017 | US |
Child | 29618341 | US |