US 5,916,089 A · Support article for use with infant carrier device

Abstract

A support article for use with a carrier device provides adjustable cushioned support to an infant placed therein in a travel position and comprises an elongated pad adapted to be interposed between the infant and the carrier device and a raised cushion assembly. The elongated pad has a first surface upon which the infant can be placed, an opposite second surface and a pair of longitudinally extending side edges. The raised cushion assembly is disposed on the first surface and includes a pair of transversely spaced apart cushion elements that are adjustable in position relative to one another. At least a first one of these cushion elements is positioned adjacent to a longitudinally extending side edge and is configurable into a folded state wherein a free edge portion thereof is releasably connected to the first surface thereby to define a channel between the cushion elements which is sized to accommodate a torso region of the infant so that the cushion assembly is operative to provide lateral stability to the torso region during transport in the carrier device. The support article may also include a crotch cushion disposed on a lower region of the first surface which helps to maintain the infant in a proper travel position and to buffer the infant against impact during transport in a car seat. This crotch cushion may be in the form of an elongated pad that is bent around a mid-section thereof to form a pair of spaced apart legs.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A support article adapted for use with a carrier device to provide adjustable cushioned support to an infant that is placed therein in a travel position, comprising:

(a) an elongated pad adapted to be interposed between the infant and the carrier device, said elongated pad having a first surface upon which the infant can be placed in the travel position and a second surface opposite said first surface and including a pair of longitudinally extending side edges;
and
(b) a raised cushion assembly disposed on said first surface and including a pair of transversely spaced apart cushion elements that are adjustable in position relative to one another, a first one of said cushion elements having a proximal edge portion positioned adjacent to an associated one of said longitudinally extending side edges and configurable into a folded state wherein a free edge portion of said first cushion element is releasably connected to said first surface thereby to define a channel between said cushion elements which is sized to accommodate a torso region of the infant so that said cushion assembly is operative to provide lateral stability to the torso region during transport in the carrier device.

A support article adapted for use with a car seat to provide a cushioned support for an infant seated thereon, wherein the car seat includes a backrest provided with a pair of shoulder straps that are operative to extend over the infant to releasably engage a safety buckle, said support article comprising:

(a) an elongated pad having a first surface upon which the infant can be placed in a seated position and an opposite second surface adapted to be placed against the car seat;
(b) a raised support pillow disposed on an upper region of said first surface and including a central portion extending in an arcuate configuration around an area that is sized and adapted to receive the infant's head when the infant is in the seated position;
(c) a cushion assembly disposed on a medial region of said first surface and operative to provide lateral stability to a torso of the infant, said cushion assembly including a first cushion element and a second cushion element that are spaced apart from one another a separation distance to define a channel within which the infant's torso may be positioned;
and
(d) a crotch cushion disposed on a lower region of said first surface and centrally located in said lower region so that when the infant is placed in the seated position on said elongated pad the infant's legs can straddle a portion of said crotch cushion, said crotch cushion in the form of an elongated pad that is bent around a mid-section thereof to form a pair of spaced apart legs, said crotch cushion operative to maintain the infant in a proper travel position and to buffer the infant against impact with the safety buckle during transport in the car seat.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Support article for use with infant carrier device

Life of this patent

Support article for use with infant carrier device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21