BABY BATH HARNESS

Abstract

A harness that can be used for bathing babies includes an adjustable strap that fits around the baby's chest. Another adjustable strap runs up the sides of the chest and around the neck. The adjustable straps allow for size change as a baby grows. Each of the adjustable bands also include side release buckles, for easy removal of the harness after use.

Claims

1. A bathing harness comprising: a chest strap formed from an anti-slip material and comprising a laterally oriented tri-glide strap adjuster; a front buckle attached to the chest strap; a front and neck strap formed from said anti-slip material and comprising a vertically oriented tri-glide strap adjuster; and an upper buckle attached to the neck strap.

2. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the anti-slip material comprises a 100% polyester webbing.

3. The bathing harness of claim 2, wherein the harness is rated to carry at least fifty pounds.

4. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the anti-slip material comprises a nylon webbing.

5. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein a front portion and a neck portion of the front and neck strap are attached to the chest strap at two locations on the chest strap.

6. The bathing harness of claim 5, wherein the front portion and the neck portion of the front and neck strap are orthogonally oriented with respect to the chest strap when the harness is laid flat.

7. The bathing harness of claim 6, wherein the front portion is between fourteen and sixteen centimeters in length.

8. The bathing harness of claim 7, wherein the neck portion is between thirty-five centimeters and forty-five centimeters.

9. The bathing harness of claim 8, wherein the front portion and the neck portion are spaced apart from one another between six and nine centimeters along the chest strap.

10. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the chest strap is between sixty and seventy centimeters in length and is at least one and a quarter times a length of the front and neck strap.

11. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the front and neck strap attaches to the chest strap by way of a fold or a loop.

12. The bathing harness of claim 11, wherein the fold or the loop is secured with a box X stitching.

13. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the front buckle and the upper buckle are side release buckles formed by a male buckle member and a female buckle member.

14. The bathing harness of claim 13, wherein the male buckle member comprises: a retaining block that accepts the chest strap and/or the front and neck strap; a center rod; and two resilient prongs equally spaced from the center rod, biased toward an outward position, and terminates at a front end of the retaining block.

15. The bathing harness of claim 14, wherein the female buckle member comprises: an open side; and two side holes which hold and secure the two resilient prongs of the male buckle member.

16. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the horizontally oriented tri-glide strap adjuster and vertically oriented tri-glide strap adjuster each comprise: a frame with a width slightly larger than a width of the chest band and the front and neck strap; a bar in a middle of the frame; and openings between the frame and the bar that accept the chest band or the front and neck strap.

17. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the harness does not comprise organic fibers.

18. The bathing harness of claim 1, wherein the harness does not comprise polyamide.

19. A harness comprising: a first band comprising a first webbing slide; a second band comprising a first webbing slide; a first side release buckle attached to the first band; and a second side release buckle attached to the second band.

20. A method for facilitating handling a slippery mammal comprising: securing a chest strap to the slippery mammal by placing a male end of a front buckle on a first end of the chest strap to a female end of the front buckle on a second end of the chest strap; adjusting a first tri-glide strap adjuster located on the chest strap until the chest strap is taught against a chest of the slippery mammal; securing a front and neck strap to the slippery mammal by placing a male end of an upper buckle on a first distal end of the front and neck strap to a female end of the upper buckle on a second distal end of the front and neck strap; and adjusting a second tri-glide strap adjuster located on the front and neck strap such that the front and neck strap leaves enough room for a handler to slide a hand behind a head of the slippery mammal during a bathing process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Several embodiments in which the present disclosure can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated.

[0043] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an example of a bathing harness, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 1B shows a top plan view of the bathing harness shown in FIG. 1A.

[0045] FIG. 1C shows a bottom plan view of the bathing harness shown in FIG. 1A.

[0046] FIG. 1D shows a front elevational view of the bathing harness shown in FIG. 1A.

[0047] FIG. 1E shows a rear elevational view of the bathing harness shown in FIG. 1A.

[0048] FIG. 1F shows a left-side elevational view of the bathing harness shown in FIG. 1A.

[0049] FIG. 1G shows a right-side elevational view of the bathing harness shown in FIG. 1A.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of an embodiment of the bathing harness shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, said embodiment implementing a 100% polyester webbing in the front and neck and chest straps.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a detailed, perspective view of a side release buckle in an operative position. The side release buckle can be implemented into the bathing harness of FIGS. 1A-1G.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a detailed, perspective view of a tri-glide strap adjuster in an operative position. The tri-glide strap adjuster can be implemented into the bathing harness of FIGS. 1A-1G.

[0053] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a process for attaching the bathing harness of FIGS. 1A-1G to a human baby. FIG. 5A exemplifies a first step wherein a chest strap is being secured to the baby. FIG. 5B exemplifies a second step wherein a front and neck strap is being secured to the baby.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows an environmental view where the bathing harness of FIGS. 1A-1G has been attached to the human baby while the human baby has been lying in a carrier, such as a stroller or a crib. The front of the human baby can be seen in FIG. 6.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows an environmental view of a baby crawling while wearing the bathing harness of FIGS. 1A-1G.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows an environmental view of a mother giving her baby a bath using the bathing harness of FIGS. 1A-1G, emphasizing view of how the mother slips her hand into the rear side of the bathing harness to give her and the baby support while the baby is being bathed.

[0057] An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite distinct combinations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, the harness 100 comprises a chest band 110, which has a tri-glide strap adjuster 120, which allows for size change as a baby grows. The chest band 110 also includes a side release buckle 130, for easy removal of the harness 100 after use. The front and neck strap 140, also has an adjustable strap, such as an additional tri-glide strap adjuster 150. This allows allowing for ideal size adjustment as a baby grows. The harness 100 also has a side release buckle 160, for easy removal.

[0060] The chest band 110 and the front and neck strap 140 most preferably comprise 100% polyester, as is represented illustratively by the hatch employed in FIG. 2. Polyester webbing is resistant to rot, mold, mildew and abrasion. Polyester webbing is also highly resistant to shrinking and stretching. The webbing 112, 142 can be used outdoors. The webbing 112, 142 is intended to reinforce the edges of shade sails and other shade structures.

[0061] The 100% polyester material can be key in both (i) preventing slippage between the handler's hands and the mammal being bathed; and (ii) to provide proper strength to secure a mammal up to at least twenty five pounds (25 lbs), more preferably at least fifty pounds (50 lbs), and most preferably at least one hundred pounds (100 lbs).

[0062] The polyester webbing 112, 142 can feature a catch cord, or a yarn which binds the knitted needle edge of webbing woven on a needle loom. The catch cord prevents the fill yarn from unraveling at the cut end. Cutting webbing with a hotknife is also possible.

[0063] The 100% polyester webbing 112, 142 represents a most preferred material for the bathing harness 100. 100% polyester is readily available because of the prevalence of same in seat belts, but is not ordinarily used in harnesses or baby products. Rock climbing harnesses, for example, regularly utilize Nylon 66 and other polyamides.

[0064] It is to be appreciated other beneficial materials may be used in lieu of a 100% polyester webbing 112, 142, including, but not limited to: cotton, nylon, leather, materials constructed from synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof. Even further, it is contemplated that, depending on the application, there may be embodiments where it is beneficial for the harness to be made out of a sustainable fabric, such as organic hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, organic linen, recycled fabrics, lyocell, econyl, fabrics constructed from leaf fibers, spider silks, and mixtures thereof.

[0065] The chest strap 110 and front and neck strap 140 are attached to one another, such as by way of folds 114 and stitching 116 where the chest strap 110 intersects with the front portion 140A of the front and neck strap 140 and also where the chest strap 110 intersects with the neck portion 140B of the front and neck strap 140. The angles at which they are attached, when the harness 100 is laid flat, is preferably between seventy degrees (70°) and one hundred ten degrees (110°), more preferably between eighty degrees (80°) and one hundred degrees (100°), and most preferably orthogonal.

[0066] The chest strap 110 is sized to hold the occupant across the occupant's chest. For example, the chest strap 110 is preferably between thirty and one hundred centimeters (30 cm-100 cm), more preferably between forty-five and eighty-five centimeters (45 cm-85 cm), and most preferably between sixty and seventy centimeters (60 cm-70 cm).

[0067] The front portion 140A of the front and neck strap 140 is sized to help secure the occupant and attaches to the occupant around the occupant's neck without choking the occupant. For example, the front portion 140A is preferably between ten and twenty centimeters (10 cm-20 cm), more preferably between twelve and eighteen centimeters (12 cm-18 cm), and most preferably between fourteen and sixteen centimeters (14 cm-16 cm).

[0068] The neck portion 140B of the front and neck strap 140 is sized to help secure the occupant and attaches to the occupant around the occupant's neck without choking the occupant. For example, the neck portion 140B is preferably between twenty-five and fifty-five centimeters (25 cm-55 cm), more preferably between thirty and fifty centimeters (30 cm-50 cm), and most preferably between thirty-five centimeters and forty-five centimeters (35 cm-cm).

[0069] The front portion 140A and neck portion 140B are spaced apart from one another on the chest strap 110 to accommodate the width of the neck of the occupant. For example, the front portion 140A and the neck portion 140B are preferably between five and ten centimeters (5 cm-10 cm), more preferably between six and nine centimeters (6 cm-9 cm), and most preferably between seven and eight centimeters (7 cm-8 cm).

[0070] The chest strap 110 is preferably longer than the front and neck strap 140, more preferably at least one and a quarter times longer than the front and neck strap 140, and most preferably at least one and a half times longer than the front and neck strap 140.

[0071] Additional folds 144 and stitching 146 can be used to secure the female buckle members 136, 166 to a first end of the chest strap 110 and a distal end of the front portion 140A of the front and neck strap 140. Even further, while the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 does not utilize folds or stitching to attach the male buckle members 131, 161 to the second end of the chest strap 110 and the distal end of the front portion 140B front and neck strap 140.

[0072] The stitchings 116, 146 can be of any suitable type that secures each side of the folds 114, 144 of the straps 110, 140 to one another with sufficient strength so that neither the stitchings 116, 146 nor the folds 114, 144 come undone. One such beneficial stitch is the box X stitch shown in FIG. 2. The box X stitch is a reinforcing stitch that is used frequently in making outdoor gear however is not ordinarily used for indoor applications. The box X produces a particularly beneficial effect when used for anti-slip applications. The box X also produces a particularly beneficial effect when meant to carry lower loads (e.g., <fifty pounds (50 lbs)). The box X stitch is primarily used to attach the webbings 112, 142 for making loops in the webbing 112, 142, although the box X can be used in other locations as well. The box X is stitching in the form of a square or rectangle with a line of stitching running from corner to corner forming an X inside the box. To form the X stitch, the webbings 112, 142 are marked where the box X will be sewn. The box X stitch can be automatically formed with an industrial, automated sewing machine capable of handling strong fabrics made out of polyester. One advantage of the box X stitch is that because the stitching runs in six different directions, shear forces are well distributed. This is especially helpful when the webbing 112, 142 is pulled from different directions by the occupant or the handler. Other suitable stitches such as a bar tack can be used in lieu of the box X stitch depending on the application. The bar-tack punches many more holes into a small area of fabric and thus weakens the fabric more than a box X stitch, which spreads the holes over a larger area. Thus, where area is limited, the bar tack could be a superior stitch, as generally the stitching in a box X stitch is ended about one eighth inches (⅛″) from the edge of the webbing 112, 142. Be sure to stop with the needle down through the webbing and fabric.

[0073] At or near fold 144, the harness 100 can also include an energy management loop or rip stitching in which a section of the webbing is looped and stitched with special stitching. The function of this is to “rip” at a predetermined load, which reduces the maximum force transmitted through the belt to the occupant during a violent collision or fall, reducing injuries to the occupant of the harness.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 can also be referred to as webbing slides. The tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are small pieces of hardware that include a frame with a width slightly larger than a width of the chest band 110 and front and neck strap 106, respectively. The tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are made of plastic or metal (usually electroplated) formed by a rectangular frame 122, 152 with a bar 124, 154 in the middle. Thus, there are two separate openings 126, 128, 156, 158 in each of the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150. The tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are utilized when the chest band 110 and front and neck strap 140 are slid through one opening 126, 156 and then out of the other opening 128, 158. This effectively shortens and lengthens the chest band 110 and front and neck strap 140. The tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 can be identically sized, or they can vary in size. The tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 can be adjusted to not fit the wearer too constrictedly or loosely, but comfortably while still tight enough. In preferred embodiments, the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are buckles free from any chapes or prongs, such as those that are common in belt buckles. The quality of prongs can degrade over time, and therefore the use of the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 can enhance the durability of the harness 100. Moreover, the use of the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are particularly beneficial because many persons are already aware of how to use and are likely to prefer them due to their frequency in home dress-making, as often these items can be used for decoration for items such as shoe fronts to conceal any unattractive elastic fitting(s).

[0075] The openings 126, 128, 156, 158 of the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 are preferably slightly wider than the webbings 112, 142 that they hold. The rectangular frames 122, 152 are preferably thick enough such that they do not bend or break after securing, bathing, and allowing the occupant to pull and tug on the harness 100. The rectangular frames 122, 152 have an overall length between two and five centimeters (2 cm-5 cm), more preferably between two and a half and four and a half centimeters and (2.5 cm-4.5 cm), and most preferably between three and four centimeters (3 cm-4 cm).

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the side release buckles 130, 160 is a snap-fit buckle formed by a male buckle member 131, 161 (e.g., a hooked end) and a female buckle member 136, 166 (e.g., a receiving end for insertion of the hooked end). The male buckle member 131, 161 comprises a center rod 132, 162 and two resilient prongs 133, 163 equally spaced from the center rod 132, 162. The resilient prongs 133, 163 can be naturally biased toward an outward position, can be spring-loaded, and/or can include any other suitable type of creating the needed resiliency. The resilient prongs 133, 163 each have a retaining block 134, 164 that each terminate at a front end 135, 165. The female buckle member 136, 166 has an open side 137, 167 and two side holes 138, 139, 168, 169 which hold and secure the two resilient prongs 133, 163 of the male buckle member 131, 161. The side release buckles 130, 160 can also be an important item when adjusting the bathing harness 100 and/or adapting the bathing harness 100 from one that is suitable to hold wet babies to one that is suitable to hold a wet animal, such as a pet.

[0077] The side release buckles 130, 160 are preferably slightly wider than the webbings 112, 142 that they hold. The male buckle members 131, 161 have an overall length between two and a half and five and a half centimeters (2.5 cm-5.5 cm), more preferably between three and five centimeters and (3.0 cm-5.0 cm), and most preferably between three and a half and four and a half centimeters (3.5 cm-4.5 cm). The female buckle members 136, 166 have an overall length between two and five centimeters (2 cm-5 cm), more preferably between two and a half and four and a half centimeters and (2.5 cm-4.5 cm), and most preferably between three and four centimeters (3 cm-4 cm). When buckled to one another, the side release buckles 130, 160 have an overall length between three and a half and six and a half centimeters (3.5 cm-6.5 cm), more preferably between four and six centimeters and (4.0 cm-6.0 cm), and most preferably between four and a half and five and a half centimeters (4.5 cm-5.5 cm).

[0078] In some embodiments, the side release buckles 130, 160 are directly adjacent the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150 and/or there is a pair of additional tri-glide strap adjusters located immediately proximate to the side release buckles 130, 160, to enhance adjustability.

[0079] In operation, the harness 100 is generally first laid flat, as is shown in FIGS. 1A-1G and FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5A the handler uses its hands 202 the side release buckle 130 on the chest strap 110 is buckled after being placed around the chest of the occupant 200, such as a human baby or a small slippery mammal, and the tri-glide strap adjuster 120 optionally adjusted after securement. As shown in FIG. 5B the side release buckle 160 on the head and neck strap 140 is buckled after being placed around the neck of the occupant 200 and the tri-glide strap adjuster 150 optionally adjusted after securement.

[0080] An example method for handling a slippery mammal 200 comprises securing a chest strap 110 to the slippery mammal 200 by placing a male end 131 of a front buckle 130 on a first end of the chest strap 110 to a female end 136 of the front buckle 130 on a second end of the chest strap 110; adjusting a first tri-glide strap adjuster 120 located on the chest strap 110 until the chest strap 110 is taught against a chest of the slippery mammal 200; securing a front and neck strap 140 to the slippery mammal 200 by placing a male end 161 of an upper buckle 160 on a first distal end of the front and neck strap 140 to a female end 166 of the upper buckle 160 on a second distal end of the front and neck strap 140; and adjusting a second tri-glide strap adjuster 150 located on the front and neck strap 140 such that the front and neck strap 140 leaves enough room for a handler to slide a hand behind a head of the slippery mammal during a bathing process.

[0081] To aid in securing the straps 110, 140 to the occupant 200, the handler may choose to support the weight of the occupant in a carrier 204, such as a stroller, a crib, a counter, or other suitable support while buckling each of the side release buckles 130, 160 and/or adjusting the tri-glide strap adjusters 120, 150. The attached harness 100 is shown in FIGS. 6-7.

[0082] During bathing, one of the hands 202 of the handler are slipped through the harness 100 behind the back of the head of the occupant 200, as shown in FIG. 8. This prevents slipping during bathing. The occupant 200 can then be move into the tub 300. With the other hand 202, the handler can then bathe the occupant 200 using water 302 located in the tub 200, or alternatively, from a faucet.

[0083] The harness 100 is preferably labelled with instructions for use and warnings against misuse. The warnings are intended to alert the caregiver to infant fall and suffocation hazards and promote safe use of soft infant and toddler carriers. Said instructions can include, but are not limited to including, the following warnings: (i) “Not intended to replace normal safety precautions.”, (ii) “Never leave baby unattended.”, (iii) “This product is not intended to lift or carry the baby.”, and (iv) “To be used by an adult only.”

[0084] The harness 100, as shown herein, includes only chest and front and neck straps. However, it is to be appreciated that the harness 100 can be adapted to include additional straps that can further secure the baby. For example, leg straps can be provided. Said leg straps could be included to further prevent falls by setting requirements for bounded and unbounded leg openings.

[0085] The harness 100, as shown herein, allows for a handler to slip their hand behind the occupant's head by inserting the hand under the front and neck strap. The harness 100 is free from traditional handles. However, it is to be appreciated that traditional handles could be included to either (i) carry the harness 100 when the harness 100 is not in use and/or (ii) to facilitate bathing.

[0086] The harness 100, when being stored in dry conditions, is substantially non-flammable (e.g., the harness 100 meets the flammability requirements of 16 C.F.R. part 1610, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein).

[0087] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present disclosure accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0088] The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of Reference Characters 100 harness 110 chest band 112 webbing 114 fold 116 stitching 120 first tri-glide strap adjuster 122 rectangular frame 124 bar 126 first opening 128 second opening 130 side release buckle 131 male buckle member 132 center rod 133 resilient prongs 134 retaining block 135 front end 136 female buckle member 137 open side 138 first hole 139 second hole 140 front and neck strap 140A front portion 140B neck portion 142 webbing 144 fold 146 stitching 150 second tri-glide strap adjuster 152 rectangular frame 154 bar 156 first opening 158 second opening 160 neck release buckle 161 male buckle member 162 center rod 163 resilient prongs 164 retaining block 165 front end 166 female buckle member 167 open side 168 first hole 169 second hole 200 small mammal (e.g. human baby) 202 handler's hands 204 carrier (e.g. crib, stroller, etc.) 300 tub 302 water

Glossary

[0089] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present disclosure pertain.

[0090] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.

[0091] The term “or” is synonymous with “and/or” and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

[0092] As used herein, the term “exemplary” refers to an example, an instance, or an illustration, and does not indicate a most preferred embodiment unless otherwise stated.

[0093] The term “about” as used herein refers to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

[0094] The term “substantially” refers to a great or significant extent. “Substantially” can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variables, given proper context.

[0095] The term “generally” encompasses both “about” and “substantially.”

[0096] The term “configured” describes structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

[0097] Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

[0098] The “invention” is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims. The “scope” of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the disclosure is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.