Body Cover with Open-Back Design for Car Seat Warmth and Strap Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for keeping children warm in car seats are inadequate, as bulky coats compress during crashes, causing straps to loosen, and blankets are ineffective due to looseness, shifting, and germ transmission, while also restricting movement and providing incomplete coverage.

Innovation Solution

A body cover designed to keep arms, legs, and feet warm, with a partially open backside for easy placement over car seats, allowing for arm movement and quick removal, featuring integrated hand covers and pockets for convenience, and made from easy-to-clean materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a bulky coat is worn by a child in a car seat, then the child stays warm, but the coat compresses during crashes causing straps to loosen and safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewarmthVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The body cover is divided into separate functional zones: a front coverage portion that provides warmth, an open backside for strap access, and integrated foot pouches. This segmentation allows warmth without bulk between the child and straps, resolving the contradiction between warmth and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The body cover extends coverage to the feet through integrated foot pouches, providing warmth in an additional dimension rather than relying on bulky material around the torso. This dimensional extension provides warmth without compromising strap tightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If a blanket is placed over a child in a car seat, then the child may stay warm, but the blanket is loose and free-flowing causing it to be kicked off or shift position

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewarmthVSAvoidcoverage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The body cover incorporates elasticized portions at the ankles and wrist openings that dynamically adapt to the child's movements while maintaining coverage. The elastic material provides continuous gentle restraint that adjusts with the child's motion, preventing the cover from being kicked off while allowing natural movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The body cover uses a flexible, form-fitting design that contours to the child's body rather than a loose blanket structure. This flexible shell approach maintains stable coverage without restricting movement or requiring bulk, resolving the contradiction between warmth and coverage stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If a blanket is placed over a child's body, then the chest and body area are covered, but the arms are not protected from cold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody warmthVSAvoidarm movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The body cover is segmented into distinct arm portions with wrist openings that can be positioned at different locations along the arms. This segmentation allows the parent to adjust coverage based on the child's needs and movement requirements, providing arm warmth while maintaining freedom of movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm portions of the body cover are designed to be flexible and adjustable, allowing the child to move their arms freely while still receiving warmth coverage. The elasticized wrist openings provide dynamic adjustment that accommodates arm movement without compromising coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a blanket is placed on a child in a car seat, then the child is covered, but the blanket can become dirty and transmit germs when placed back on the child

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidgerm transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The body cover is constructed from composite materials including a waterproof or water-resistant outer layer combined with a soft inner layer. This composite structure provides a protective barrier that resists stains and germs while maintaining comfort against the child's skin, enabling safe reuse without germ transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Temperature

If a body cover with full back coverage is used, then complete warmth is provided, but the cover cannot be easily placed over a child already in a car seat

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewarmthVSAvoidease of placement

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The body cover is segmented with an open backside design that separates the coverage portion from the back area. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily slipped over the child's front and sides while leaving the back open for strap access, making placement simple without compromising warmth coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11019854B1Systems and methods for providing a body cover

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 LEE CHRISTINA HULME

AI summary

This disclosure relates to apparel, clothing, and/or other body coverings. In particular, some implementations of the described systems and methods provide a body cover that is configured to cover a user's arms, legs, feet, and/or front side. In some cases, the covering's backside is configured to remain open such that the covering can easily be placed over a person while that person is in a car seat, a wheelchair, and/or any in any other suitable location. Other implementations are also described.