Bunting bag

Abstract

A bunting bag, particularly well-suited for use with children and child carriers, has a top panel detachably coupled to a bottom panel so that the top panel may be completely removed from the bottom panel. The bottom panel is configured or shaped to nest or mate in the child carrier without folds or substantial overhangs. The bottom panel includes a harness insert interface. A harness insert interface is provided that secures with the bottom panel via the harness insert interface.

Claims

1. A bunting bag for use with a seat having restraining straps, the bunting bag comprising: a flexible bottom panel sized and configured for a contoured fit with the seat; a flexible top panel, detachably coupled to and selectively covering at least a portion of the bottom panel; at least one of the top panel or bottom panel including at least one panel fastener disposed about a periphery thereof for variably attaching the top panel to the bottom panel; the bottom panel further defining an opening and a harness insert interface formed around a periphery of the opening; and a harness insert, the harness insert including a plurality of apertures configured to permit strap member to pass therethrough, the harness insert further being detachably coupled to and removable from the bottom panel via the harness insert interface, further comprising a first strap member extending across a rear portion of the bottom panel and a second strap member extending partially across the rear portion of the bottom panel in substantially perpendicular alignment with the first strap, the second strap member securable with the first strap member.

2. A bunting bag for use with a seat having restraining straps, the bunting bag comprising: a flexible bottom panel sized and configured for a controlled fit with the seat, the bottom panel further defining an opening and a harness insert interface formed around a periphery of the opening; a flexible top panel detachably coupled to and selectively covering at least a portion of the bottom panel; and a harness insert, the harness insert including a plurality of apertures configured to permit strap member to pass therethrough, the harness insert further being detachably coupled to and separable from the bottom panel via the harness insert interface, further comprising a first strap member extending across a rear portion of the bottom panel and a second strap member extending partially across the rear portion of the bottom panel in substantially perpendicular alignment with the first strap, the second strap member securable with the first strap member.

3. The bunting bag of claim 2, further comprising a detachable hood member.

4. The bunting bag of claim 2, further comprising a first strap member extending across a rear portion of the bottom panel and a second strap member extending partially across the rear portion of the bottom panel in substantially perpendicular alignment with the first strap, the second strap member securable with the first strap member.

5. The bunting bag of claim 2, wherein the top panel includes a first side panel and a second side panel, the first side panel extending partially across the bottom panel, the second side panel extending partially across the bottom panel, wherein the first side panel and second side panel extend fully across the bottom panel, at least one of the first and the second side panel including a side panel fastener for variably attaching the first side panel to the second side panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments are shown in the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevated view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the front elevated view of the top panel of FIG. 1 in a partially opened condition.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevated view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the bottom panel and hood of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevated view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(7) Preferred embodiments of the claimed bunting bag are hereunder described with reference to the attached drawings.

(8) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the from and back of a preferred embodiment of a bunting bag according to the present invention is discussed. Bunting bag 10 includes a top panel 12, a bottom panel 14, and a harness insert 16. In FIG. 3, the harness insert 16 is shown as detached from bottom panel 14. In use, the harness insert 16 would be secured to bottom panel 14, as discussed below.

(9) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top panel 12 includes a first surface 18 and a second surface 20. The top panel 12 includes a first side panel 22 and a second side panel 24. The first side panel 22 extends partially across the width of the bottom panel. The second side panel 24 starts at the opposed side of the top panel 12 and extends towards first side panel 22. The combination of first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 extends fully across the width of top panel 12, and in this embodiment, may overlap one another. The terminal edge portions 26 and 28 of first side panel 22 and second side panel 24, respectively, are detachably secured with one another. In this embodiment, first side panel 22 includes a plurality of buttons 32, and second side panel 24 includes a corresponding plurality of button holes 34. As should be apparent, first side panel 22 is connected with second side panel 24 by buttoning them together. When desired, the first side panel 22 can be detached from second side panel 24 by unfastening the connection means, which in this embodiment are buttons. Any other means for detachably securing fabric pieces may be used, including but not limited to zippers, hook and loop enclosures, ties, snaps, belts and buckles, magnets or the like.

(10) The outer surface of top panel 12 may be treated with a water repellant finish, or the top panel may include a water repellant material. Preferably, the bunting bag 10 is made with a breathable material. As shown, top panel 12 may also include various decorative features.

(11) Top panel 12 is detachably secured with bottom panel 14. In this embodiment, top panel 12 is detachably secured with bottom panel 14 about their respective peripheral portions by a zipper 15. By unzipping zipper 15, the top panel 12 may be partially or completely removed from the bunting bag when desired. As with the side panels, the top panel may be detachably secured with the bottom panel by a variety of means, such as buttons, hook and loop enclosures, ties, snaps, belts and buckles, magnets or the like.

(12) Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom panel 14 and harness insert 16 are shown. Bottom panel 14 includes a first surface 36 (FIG. 2) and a second surface 38. Formed along an upper peripheral portion of bottom panel 14 are a plurality of securement regions 17 that include loop connectors. Referring to FIG. 4, removable hood 40 includes a corresponding plurality of securement regions 41 that include hook connectors. It should be recognized that other means for connecting the hood to the bottom panel may be uses, such as a zipper, buttons, magnets, ties, or the like.

(13) Also formed with the bottom panel 14 is a first strap member 42. First strap member 42 extends across a rear portion or second surface 38 of the bottom panel 14. First strap member is formed with extendable regions, such as with an elastic material. A second strap member 44 is secured with an upper region of bottom panel 14 and extends partially across the rear portion 38 of the bottom panel 14 in substantially perpendicular alignment with the first strap member 42. The second strap member is securable with the first strap member. As shown, the second strap member 44 includes a distal end portion that defines a loop 46 through which the first strap member 42 is passed. Alternatively or additionally, the distal end portion may include a hook and loop enclosure to form loop 46. First strap member 42 may be stretched around the car seat to secure the bottom panel 14 thereto. Preferably formed in a lower portion of bottom panel 14 are one or more apertures 50 that are configured to allow a restraining strap to be passed through.

(14) Bottom panel 14 further defines a harness insert interface 52 that includes opening 54 and securement members such as tab members 56. In a preferred embodiment, opening 54 is of substantially the same size and shape as harness insert 16. Harness insert 16 includes a plurality of apertures 58, which are configured to allow restraining straps of the car seat to be passed through. Several apertures are provided to allow the height of the straps relative to the child to be adjusted. Formed on a second surface 60 of harness 16 are a plurality of securement regions 62. These correspond with the tab members 56 of the harness insert interface 52. When the harness insert 16 is positioned within or over opening 54, tab members 56 are secured with securement regions 62 to attach the harness insert 16 to the bottom panel 14. As such, the bottom panel 14 and top panel 12 can be removed from the car seat without having to remove the car seat straps. Instead, one can simply detach the harness insert 16 from the bottom panel 14. By having multiple harness inserts, the same bottom panel 14 and top panel 12 can be easily interchanged with bunting bags in different car seats or strollers by securing them to harness inserts for those other seats. In this embodiment, apertures 50 are show n as being formed in the bottom panel. Although, not depicted, it should be understood that it may be preferred that the bottom panel 14 includes no apertures for straps, and that the harness insert 14 would include all strap apertures. It should further be understood that while a single harness insert is depicted, multiple harness inserts and multiple harness insert interfaces may be utilized.

(15) Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Bunting bag 110 is similar in many respects to the previous embodiment. As before, bunting bag 110 includes a flexible bottom panel 114 sized and configured for a contoured fit with the seat. Although not shown here, the bottom panel 114 also defines an opening and a harness insert interface, wherein the harness insert is detachably coupled to the bottom panel via the harness insert interface, and wherein the harness insert includes a plurality of openings to receive restraining straps of the seat. Top panel 112 is detachably secured with bottom panel 114 by zipper 115. The flexible top panel 112, in this preferred embodiment, has sleeves 116 and 118 attached thereto. The sleeves 116 and 118 may be integrally formed with top panel 112 as shown, or may be detachably secured to the top panel 112 by way of hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or the like. In this particular embodiment, the sleeves are attached only to the top panel. However, in some embodiments, the sleeves may be attached to both the top panel and bottom panel, or possibly, just the bottom panel.

(16) Although the bunting bag of the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment which is particularly well suited for use with children and child seats, it is of course understood that the bunting bag of the present invention may be easily configured for various other persons and seats. For example, the bunting bag may be sized for use with larger children or adults. The bottom and top portions may be shaped or configured for use with particular types of seats, including wheel chairs or arm chairs. In addition, it is understood that the bunting bag need not be used with a child carrier or other seat, but may be used separate from the carrier or seat, such as to hold the child.

(17) Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited herein.