CUSHIONED BUCKLE GUARD FOR CHILD'S CAR SEAT

Abstract

A cushioned buckle guard consisting of a three-layer flaccid pad for placement in the chest region of a child restrained in a car seat. An outer heat-resistant layer is stitched to an internal padding layer and a subsequent flame-retardant inner liner. The car seat harness straps are slidably affixed to the harness retaining clip by straps on an outside major surface thereof. The pad is adapted to absorb and/or and redistribute the pressure from at least the harness retaining clip on the child so as to provide comfort to the restrained child.

Claims

1. A cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat, comprising: a) a substantially oval central padding layer having a shape and a perimeter; b) a front, outer covering fabric layer having a shape and perimeter identical to said shape and perimeter of said oval central padding layer; c) a rear, inner covering fabric layer also having a shape and and perimeter also identical to said shape and perimeter of said oval central padding layer; d) stitching disposed adjacent said perimeters of said front, outer covering layer, said substantially oval central padding layer, and said rear inner fabric layer, said stitching joining each of said front, outer covering layer, said substantially oval central padding layer, and said rear inner fabric layer one to another; e) a semi-circular notch centrally disposed said perimeters to accommodate a neck of a child retained in said child safety car seat; f) at least two straps disposed on said front outer covering layer, each strap having a distal end fastened to said stitched front, outer covering layer, said substantially oval central padding layer, and said rear inner fabric layer; and g) a recloseable fastening device affixed proximate a proximal end of each of said at least two straps.

2. The cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat as recited in claim 1, wherein said substantially oval central padding layer comprises 100% hypoallergenic 100% polyester fiber.

3. The cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat as recited in claim 2, wherein said substantially oval central padding layer has a thickness of approximately 0.5 inch.

4. The cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat as recited in claim 1, wherein said front, outer covering fabric layer comprises a 100% cotton flame resistant fabric.

5. The cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat as recited in claim 1, wherein said rear, inner covering fabric layer comprises a cotton heat resistant fabric.

6. The cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat as recited in claim 5, wherein said cotton heat resistant fabric comprises a silver colored outer surface.

7. The cushioned buckle guard for a child safety car seat as recited in claim 1, wherein said perimeter stitching comprise thread having at least one characteristic chosen from the group: heat resistant, and flame retardant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cushioned buckle guard in accordance with the invention; and

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, schematic view of the cushioned buckle guard of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The present invention provides a cushioned buckle guard for placement between the chest region of a child restrained in a car seat and the car seat harness retaining clip and/or harness straps. The harness straps are slidably affixed to the cushioned buckle guard by straps on an outside major surface thereof. The cushioned buckle guard is adapted to absorb and/or redistribute the pressure of the harness retaining clip and/or harness straps on the child so as to provide comfort to the restrained child.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown top plan and side elevational, cross-sectional schematic views, respectively, of a cushioned buckle guard (CBG) in accordance with the invention, generally at reference number 100.

[0020] CBG 100 typically comprises three layers. A substantially oval-shaped internal layer 102 typically comprises 100% hypoallergenic 100% polyester fiber. A particular material found suitable for the application is NuFoam™ supplied by Fairfield Processing of Danbury, Conn. USA. Internal layer 102 is typically approximately 0.5 inches in thickness. It will be recognized that alternate suitable materials known to those of skill in the art may be substituted for the NuFoam™ material chosen for purposes of disclosure. Also, thicknesses other than 0.5 inches may be chosen to meet a particular operating circumstance or environment. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to either the NuFoam™ material or the 0.5 inch thickness. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all suitable substitute materials and/or thicknesses.

[0021] An “inner” liner layer 106 (i.e., the layer facing the restrained child, not shown and forming not part of the invention), typically comprises a ROC-Ion® 100% cotton flame resistant fabric provided by Rockland Industries, Inc. with facilities in Baltimore, Md. and Bamberg, S.C., USA. Inner layer 106 is substantially the same shape and size as internal layer 102.

[0022] An “outer” layer 104 (i.e., the layer facing outwardly away from the restrained child) completes the sandwich. Inner layer 104 is formed from a heat resistant fabric. A product found suitable for the application is Therma-Flec heat resistant cotton fabric provided by James Thompson & Co. Inc. headquartered in New York, N.Y. USA. The Therma-Flec fabric is typically provided with a silver colored outer surface. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that suitable alternate heat-resistant fabrics may be available and substituted for the fabric chosen for purposes of disclosure. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the Therma-Flec fabric but is intended to include any and all suitable substitute fabrics. Outer layer 104 is also substantially the same shape and size as internal layer 102.

[0023] Outer layer 104, internal layer 102, and inner layer 106 are typically stitched together around their respective perimeters, not specifically identified, with stitching 108. Stitching 108 comprises a suitable flame resistant and/or a fire retardant thread. Suitable threads are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and, consequently are neither further described or discussed herein.

[0024] A semi-circular notch 110 is disposed in the center of the upper edge, not specifically identified, of CBG 100 to accommodate the neck, not specifically identified, of the restrained child.

[0025] Four detachable straps 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d are disposed on the outer surface, not specifically identified, of outer layer 104 of CBG 100. Detachable straps 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d typically comprise fabric similar to the outer layer 104. Detachable straps 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d have a respective distal end 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d permanently affixed to CBG 100, typically by stitching 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d.

[0026] Respective proximal ends 118a, 118b, 118c, 118d of straps 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d are equipped with a recloseable fastener such as a snap 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that a wide variety of other recloseable fastener types may be substituted for snaps. Consequently, any suitable recloseable fastener may be used and the invention is not considered limited to the recloseable fastener used for purposes of disclosure.

[0027] Recloseable fasteners 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d may be opened thereby making it possible for straps 122a, 122b to be passed over the outer surface of CBG 100 and then straps 122a, 122b to be retained by 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d when recloseable fasteners 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d are subsequently re-closed.

[0028] Straps 122a, 122b are typically either a portion of a vehicle seat belt system or more typically, harness straps of a child restraint seat. In either case, straps 122a, 122b form no part of the present invention and are shown to illustrate CBG 100 in its intended operating environment.

[0029] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.