Infant wear assembly and method thereof

Abstract

To provide a novel infant wear for selectively placing arms of an infant in a state of being fixed releasably with respect to a torso of the infant.SOLUTION: An infant wear assembly for selectively placing arms of an infant on a releasable fixed position with respect to a torso of the infant includes an infant garment. The infant garment includes a torso section to which a plurality of sleeves including a sleeve for the left arm and a sleeve for the right arm are attached. The torso section and the sleeves of the left and right arms receive the torso and the arms of the infant, respectively. The torso section has an upper edge which is open, and defines a neck opening part. A connection assembly releasably attaches the sleeves of the left and right arms to corresponding selectable positions located on the front side of the torso section. Accordingly, the connection assembly can selectively place the arms of the infant so as to be releasably fixed with respect to the torso of the infant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application is a continuation - in - part of U.S. Application No. 18 / 509,552, filed on November 15, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Description of Research and Development Sponsored by the Federal Government) Not applicable (Names of Persons Having an Interest in the Consent to Joint Research) Not applicable (Incorporation by Reference of Materials Submitted on Compact Disk or as a Text File via the Office Electronic Filing System) Not applicable (Description by the Inventor or Joint Inventors of Prior Disclosures) Not applicable

Background Art

[0003] (1) Technical Field. The present disclosure relates to a baby carrier, and more specifically, to a novel baby carrier that selectively positions a baby's arm in a releasably fixed state relative to the baby's torso.

[0004] (2) Description of Related Art, Including Information Disclosed Under Patent Rules 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. The prior art relates to baby carriers that cannot releasably fix a baby's arm at a position selected by the user. The prior art does not include a connection assembly that allows the baby to adjust the arm relative to the torso while maintaining the arm in a fixed state.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally meet the needs presented above by including infant clothing, the infant clothing including a body section to which a plurality of sleeves are attached, the plurality of sleeves including a left arm sleeve and a right arm sleeve. The body section, as well as the left and right arm sleeves, are each configured to receive an infant's body and arms. The body section has an upper edge that is open and defines a neck opening. A connection assembly removably attaches the left and right arm sleeves at corresponding selectable positions on the front side of the body section. Thus, the connection assembly is configured to selectively position an infant's arms in a state of being removably fixed to the infant's body.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method of swaddling an infant, the method requiring the provision of an infant wear assembly according to the above disclosure. The steps of the method include placing an infant's body and arms into the infant clothing, removably attaching a first meshing member attached to the end of the left arm sleeve to a second meshing member attached to the left portion of the front side of the body section, and removably attaching a first meshing member attached to the end of the right arm sleeve to a second meshing member attached to the right portion of the front side of the body section.

[0007] Accordingly, the more important features of the present disclosure have been outlined rather broadly so as to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to better understand the contribution to the art. There are additional features of the present disclosure that will be described hereinafter in this specification and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0008] The subject matter of the present disclosure, together with the various novel features that characterize the present disclosure, is specifically set forth in the appended claims and forms a part of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Considering the following detailed description of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those described above will become apparent. Such description refers to the accompanying drawings.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (Detailed Description of the Invention) Here, referring to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-9, a new clothing is described that embodies the principles and concepts of the embodiments of the present disclosure and is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0011] As best shown in FIGS. 1-9, the infant apparel assembly 10 generally includes an infant garment 12 having a torso section 14 to which a plurality of sleeves 16 are attached. The plurality of sleeves 16 typically includes a left arm sleeve 18, a right arm sleeve 20, and a pair of leg sleeves 22. The torso section 14, the left 18 and right 20 arm sleeves, and the pair of leg sleeves 22 are each configured to receive an infant's torso, arms, and legs, respectively. As shown in the figures, the left 18 and right 20 arm sleeves can open so that an infant's hands can protrude from the left 18 and right 20 arm sleeves, respectively. The present invention also contemplates, for example, left 18 and right 20 arm sleeves that are closed by mittens. As also shown in the figures, the leg sleeves 22 can be open, but the present invention also contemplates, for example, each leg sleeve 22 that is terminated by a bootie.

[0012] The torso section 14 has an upper edge 24 that is open and thus defines a neck opening 26. The torso section 14 has a slit 28 disposed therein that extends downwardly from the neck opening 26 toward the torso section 14. A closure 30 is attached to the torso section 14 and releasably closes the slit 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the slit 28 is disposed on the front side 32 of the torso section 14, but the present invention also contemplates a slit 28 disposed on the back side 34 of the torso section 14. Such infant garments typically include a slit to facilitate an infant putting on the garment. The closure 30 can include, as shown in the figures, a zipper 36, or, without limitation, for example, buttons, snaps, ties, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other closing means.

[0013] A connection assembly 38 releasably attaches the left 18 and right 20 arm sleeves at corresponding selectable locations on the front side 32 of the torso section 14. Thus, the connection assembly 38 is configured to selectively position an infant's arms in a releasably fixed state relative to the infant's torso.

[0014] The connection assembly 38 includes a pair of first meshing members 40 that are simply attached to the ends (42 and 44 respectively) of the left 18 and right 20 arm cuffs, and a pair of second meshing members 46 that are simply attached to the right 48 and left 50 portions of the front side 32 of the body section 14. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the second meshing members 46 is formed as an elongated strip 52 having opposing ends 54. Thus, each of the first meshing members 40 can be releasably attached to a corresponding elongated strip 52 at a corresponding position between the opposing ends 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the first meshing members 40 are also similarly positioned at the elbows, adding additional connection points between the arm cuffs 18, 20 and the front side 32 of the body section 14.

[0015] The elongated strip 52 can be magnetically connected to the first meshing member 40 such that each of the first meshing members 40 can be releasably attached to the corresponding elongated strip 52 and slidable along the corresponding elongated strip 52. The connection assembly 38 is configured to limit the range of movement of the infant's arm relative to the infant's body. The present invention also contemplates the first meshing member 40 and the elongated strip 52 including hook-and-loop fasteners, snap closures, etc., such that the infant's arm can be selectively positioned in a state of being releasably fixed to the infant's body at a selectable position between the opposing ends 54 of the elongated strip 52.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first engaging member 40 is magnetic and the elongated strip 52 is paramagnetic. In another embodiment, the first engaging member 40 is paramagnetic and the elongated strip 52 is magnetic. In yet another embodiment, the first engaging member 40 and the elongated strip 52 are magnetic and the first engaging member 40 is pole - aligned with the elongated strip 52. Such magnetic engaging members are well - known to those skilled in the art of magnets and include flexible strips attachable to the infant clothing 12 by conventional methods. In addition to the well - documented advantages of swaddling, the infant wearing assembly 10 is envisioned to be useful in monitoring the preferred placement of the infant's hands and providing recommendations to the parent for optimizing the effectiveness of the infant's swaddling.

[0017] Each of the elongated strips 52 can include, as shown in FIG. 2, a straight section 56 and an arcuate section 58. The straight section 56 has an upper end 60 disposed near the upper edge 24 and extends downwardly toward a lower end 62. The straight section 56 of the elongated strip 52 is disposed so as to straddle the centerline 64 of the front side 32. The arcuate section 58 is attached to the lower end 62 of the straight section 56, extends downwardly from the straight section 56, and away from the centerline 64. This shape of the elongated strip 52 covers a range of positions for disposing the elongated strip 52 along the body and releasably attaching the first engaging member 40.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the second engaging members 46 can be formed as an elongated strip 52 along a series of blocks 66. The blocks 66 are spaced apart along the elongated strip 52 between opposite ends 54 such that each of the first engaging members 40 is releasably attached to one or more of the blocks 66 and the infant's arm is selectively positioned in a state of being releasably fixed to the infant's torso. As also shown in FIG. 3, the blocks 66 can be arranged to be positioned sandwiching the elongated strip 52. The term "block" as used descriptively herein is not intended to be limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The present invention also contemplates blocks 66 that are disk-shaped, triangular prism-shaped, etc. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the elongated strip 52 can be raised compared to the blocks 66. This enables the connection of the first engaging members of the sleeves to the blocks 66 at locations where the first engaging member does not move relative to the clothing 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the elongated strip 52 can be omitted, and only the blocks 66 are included such that a plurality of second engaging members 46, in this case, define seams for corresponding ones of a pair of first engaging members 40, and the blocks 66 are attached at different positions of the right portion 48 and the left portion 50 of the front side 32 of the torso section 14. The second engaging members 46 are magnetically attached to the first engaging members 40 such that each of the first engaging members 40 is releasably attachable and movable from one second engaging member 46 to another second engaging member 46, and selectively changes the seams of each of the first engaging members 40. FIG. 7 shows one possible embodiment of the infant garment assembly 10, and thus it should be noted that the elongated strip 52 and the blocks 66 can be included in any of the embodiments of the infant garment assembly 10 disclosed herein, either independently or in combination, or are understood to be available for use in the embodiments.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the infant garment assembly 10 can include a leg pocket 78 that is connected to the torso section 14 and is designed to receive the infant's legs. The leg pocket 78 functions as a wrap-style alternative to the leg cuffs 22, although in another possible embodiment, it is possible to combine both. The leg pocket 78 is provided with a slit 80 that is disposed therein and extends beyond the bottom edge 82 of the leg pocket 78. A closure 84 is attached to the leg pocket 78 to releasably close the leg pocket 78. In one possible embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the closure 30 of the torso section 14 and the closure 84 of the leg pocket 78 are connected together and extend downwardly from the neck opening 26, over the torso section 14, and then fully bend around the bottom edge 82 of the leg pocket 78 to form a single continuous closure.

[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 show possible additional components of an embodiment of the infant garment assembly 10, specifically a flap 86 that is attached to the back portion of the torso section 14, wraps around the torso section 14, and is capable of covering at least the infant's arms and torso. The flap 86 includes at least two first engagement members 40 that releasably attach the flap 86 to the wrapped portion of the torso section 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, there are a pair of first engagement members 40 on the flap 86, which are releasably attachable to a pair of second engagement members 46 on the torso section 14. FIG. 8 shows the flap 86 wrapped around the torso section 14 and releasably attached to the torso section 14. This design allows the infant to be quickly and easily swaddled without having to wrap any long pieces of fabric or clothing in a complicated manner. The flap 86 can be utilized in any embodiment of the infant garment assembly 10.

[0021] The figure shows, as an exemplary embodiment and for clarity, the first engaging member 40 and the second engaging member 46 that are present on or attached to the outer surface of the infant clothing 12. In another possible embodiment, it should be understood that some or all of the first engaging member 40 and the second engaging member 46 are arranged within the material or material layer of the infant clothing 12. In this embodiment, the first engaging member 40 and the second engaging member 46 are releasably attachable together through the clothing material, i.e., together with the clothing material therebetween. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the elongated strip 52, the block 66, and the first engaging member 40 are arranged in a pocket or the like that is closed by stitching, or sealed by an adhesive, or otherwise embedded in the material within the clothing material.

[0022] In use, the infant apparel assembly 10 enables a method of swaddling an infant 68. The method 68 includes providing the infant apparel assembly 10 in accordance with the above specification. The first step 70 of the method 68 is to place the infant's torso and arms, respectively, into the torso section 14, the left arm sleeve 18, and the right arm sleeve 20 of the infant clothing 12. The second step 72 of the method 68 is to releasably attach a first engaging member 40 attached to the end 42 of the left arm sleeve 18 to a second engaging member 46 attached to the left portion 50 of the front side 32 of the torso section 14, and selectively position the infant's left arm in a releasably fixed state with respect to the infant's torso. The third step 74 of the method 68 is to releasably attach a first engaging member 40 attached to the end 44 of the right arm sleeve 20 to a second engaging member 46 attached to the right portion 48 of the front side 32 of the torso section 14, and selectively position the infant's right arm in a releasably fixed state with respect to the infant's torso. In at least one possible embodiment, the method alternatively or additionally includes releasably attaching a first engaging member 40 attached to the end 42 of the left arm sleeve 18 to a second engaging member 46 at a first seam, and selectively positioning the infant's left arm in a releasably fixed state with respect to the infant's torso; and releasably attaching a first engaging member 40 attached to the end 44 of the right arm sleeve 20 to a second engaging member 46 at a second seam, and selectively positioning the infant's right arm in a releasably fixed state with respect to the infant's torso. The method further includes detaching the first engaging member 40 of the left arm sleeve 18 and releasably attaching the second engaging member 46 at a third seam; and detaching the first engaging member 40 of the right arm sleeve 20 and releasably attaching the second engaging member 46 at a fourth seam.

[0023] In some embodiments, the assembly 10 can include data collection means. Specifically, the first engaging member 40 and the second engaging member 46 can include electrical contacts connected to a processor and memory to collect data on the positions in which an infant prefers to hold their arms while the engaging members are in the wrapped position. This enables future improvements to the design of the assembly 10 and, in addition, enables monitoring of a child's movements throughout the sleep cycle. The data includes not only where the connection locations were made but also the duration of each contact.

[0024] The method 68 is not intended to limit the use of the infant garment assembly in any way. For example, the first engaging member 40 attached to the end 42 of the left arm sleeve 18 can be attached to the second engaging member 46 attached to the right portion 48 of the front side 32 of the torso section 14, and the first engaging member 40 attached to the end 44 of the right arm sleeve 20 can be attached to the second engaging member 46 attached to the left portion 50 of the front side 32 of the torso section 14, enabling the infant's arms to be efficiently crossed.

[0025] Each of the second engaging members 46 is formed as an elongated strip 52 and magnetically connected to the first engaging member 40 such that each of the first engaging members 40 is removably attachable to and slidable along a corresponding elongated strip 52. The method 68 in this case includes a fourth step 76 in which the infant slides the first engaging member 40 along the elongated strip 52 to comfortably position the arms.

[0026] Next, with respect to the above description, it should be recognized that, according to the present disclosure, the optimal dimensional relationships for some of the embodiments, including changes in size, material, shape, form, function, and method of operation, assembly, and use, will be readily apparent and clear to those of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those shown in the drawings and described in this specification are intended to be encompassed by the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Accordingly, the foregoing is considered to be merely illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure. Further, since those skilled in the art will readily conceive of numerous modifications and changes, it is not desired to limit the present disclosure to the exact structures and operations shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the present disclosure can be used. In this patent document, the phrase "comprising" is used in a non-limiting sense, meaning that the items following this phrase are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. References to an element by the indefinite article "a" do not exclude the possibility that more than one element exists, unless the context clearly requires that only one element exists.

Claims

1. 1. A method of swaddling an infant with an infant swaddling garment assembly having left and right sleeves and a torso section having an open upper edge defining a neck opening, the method comprising: placing the torso and arms of the infant in a torso section and left and right arm sleeves, respectively, of the infant garment; selectively positioning the infant's left arm in a releasably secured relationship to the torso of the infant by releasably attaching a first mating member attached to a distal end of a sleeve of the left arm to a second mating member attached to a forward left portion of the torso section; selectively positioning the infant's right arm in a releasably secured relationship to the torso of the infant by releasably attaching a first mating member attached to a distal end of a sleeve of the right arm to a second mating member attached to a front right portion of the torso section; A method comprising:

2. the second mating member is magnetically attached to the first mating member; each second mating member is formed as an elongate strip releasably attachable to and slidable along a corresponding elongate strip, and each first mating member is configured to limit a range of motion of the arm of the infant relative to the torso of the infant; the method including the additional step of sliding the first mating member against the elongate strip by the infant to comfortably position the arm. The method of claim 1.

3. the second mating member is magnetically attached to the first mating member; Each of the second mating members is formed as a block and defines a joint; the front left portion of the torso section has a plurality of second mating members attached to the left portion, the method further including selectively positioning the left arm of the infant in any one of the plurality of second mating members attached to the front left portion of the torso section; the front right portion of the torso section has a plurality of second mating members attached to the right portion, the method further including selectively positioning the right arm of the infant in any one of the plurality of second mating members attached to the front right portion of the torso section. The method of claim 1.

4. 1. An infant swaddling garment assembly comprising: an infant garment comprising a torso section having a plurality of sleeves attached thereto, each sleeve configured to receive an infant's torso and arms, the plurality of sleeves including a left arm sleeve and a right arm sleeve, the torso section being open and having an upper edge defining a neck opening; a connection assembly for releasably attaching the left arm sleeve and the right arm sleeve at corresponding selectable positions on the front side of the torso section, the connection assembly being configured to selectively position the infant's arms in a releasably secured relationship to the infant's torso, the connection assembly comprising: A pair of first engaging members separately attached to the ends of the left arm sleeve and the right arm sleeve; a plurality of second mating members each formed as a block and disposed at different positions in the forward right and left portions of the fuselage section, each defining a joint with a corresponding one of the pair of first mating members; a connection assembly comprising: An infant swaddling garment assembly comprising:

5. 5. The infant garment assembly of claim 4, wherein the second mating members are magnetically attached to the first mating members such that each of the first mating members is releasably attachable and movable from one of the second mating members to another of the second mating members to selectively vary the junctures of each of the first mating members.

6. 6. The baby clothes assembly of claim 5, wherein the first mating member is magnetic and the second mating member is paramagnetic.

7. 6. The infant clothing assembly of claim 5, wherein the first mating member is paramagnetic and the second mating member is magnetic.

8. 6. The infant clothing assembly of claim 5, wherein said first and second mating members are magnetic, said first mating member being pole-matched with said second mating member.

9. a body section having a slit disposed therein and extending downwardly from the neck opening toward the body section; a closure attached to the fuselage section for releasably closing the slit; 5. The infant swaddling garment assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

10. 5. The infant swaddling garment assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of sleeves comprises a pair of leg sleeves configured to receive the legs of the infant.

11. 5. The infant swaddling garment assembly of claim 4, wherein the infant garment further comprises leg pockets connected to the torso section and configured to receive the legs of the infant.

12. the leg pocket includes a slit disposed therein and extending beyond a bottom edge of the leg pocket; The infant swaddling garment assembly further comprises a closure attached to the leg pocket and releasably closing the leg pocket.

12. The infant clothing assembly of claim 11.

13. a body section having a slit disposed therein and extending downwardly from the neck opening toward the body section; a closure attached to the fuselage section for releasably closing the slit; 13. The infant swaddling garment assembly of claim 12 further comprising:

14. 14. The infant swaddling garment assembly of claim 13, wherein the closure on the torso section and the closure on the leg pockets are connected together to form a single continuous closure that extends from the neck opening downwardly, over the torso section, and then curves completely around the bottom edge of the leg pockets.

15. 5. The infant swaddling clothes assembly of claim 4, further comprising a flap attached to a rear portion of the torso section and capable of wrapping around the torso section and covering at least the arms and torso of the infant, the flap comprising at least two of the first interlocking members releasably attaching the flap to the wrapped portion of the torso section.

16. 5. The infant garment assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the first interlocking members and the plurality of second interlocking members are disposed within the garment material of the infant garment.

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