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  Baby carrier cover systemUSPTO Application #: 20060130220Title: Baby carrier cover system Abstract: Cover (10) for baby held in front-carried carrier (100; or car seat/carrier 200, FIG. 8, etc.) suspended at adult user's front including two, top, substantially triangular, front (70) sub-panels (21) forming, alternatively, sealing collar (21′) when positioned about baby's neck (FIG. 4), or hood (21″) about baby's head when pulled up and snap connected (22, FIG. 5). The cover includes shoulder straps (31), front straps (41), stowing sleeves (42), waist straps (51) providing four-point carrier attachment, interior zippered pouch (61), cinches (75), side “pocket” slits (76) & elastic bands (77) in expandable, accordion sides (74). A central band (31) of heavy duty material provides structural support. Cover's rear (71) has “cut-out” (72) allowing cover to be slipped under front-carried carrier and over baby in carrier, with two, vertically spaced, strap sets connecting cover directly to carrier's body attachment straps (e.g., 101, 103) and not directly to user. (end of abstract) Agent: C. Emmett Pugh - Suffield, CT, US Inventors: A. Mitra Morgan, Susan B. Forbes USPTO Applicaton #: 20060130220 - Class: 002456000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, Body Cover The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060130220. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority rights of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/637,715 filed Dec. 19 (20), 2004 entitled "Baby Carrier Cover System" listing the co-inventors hereof. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to baby carriers, for example, those made of cloth or other fabric material worn on the front of an adult and secured by, for example, shoulder straps, waist straps, etc., as well as those that are rigid (e.g., made of plastic) and carried by hand or used as car seats or strollers, etc., and more particularly to a cover therefor for supplemental covering and protection of the baby to protect the baby from the ambient or undesirable environmental conditions. Various features of the cover of the invention and its cooperative relationships with the carrier, the baby and the adult user are described below. BACKGROUND ART [0003] A list of prior patents based on a search done by one of the co-inventors which may be of some general interest, although it is noted that some of them are not from the field to which the present invention pertains, is provided below: TABLE-US-00001 Patent No. Inventor(s) Issue Date 336,124 Levy February, 1886 1,940,224 Munro December, 1933 2,036,175 Hollander Mar. 31, 1936 2,227,751 Idelman Jan. 7, 1941 2,324,665 Ayres Jul. 20, 1943 2,378,434 Robinson Jun. 19, 1945 2,659,086 McGrath Nov. 17, 1953 3,034,132 Landsberger et al May 15, 1962 3,370,303 Tempelhof February, 1968 4,009,808 Sharp Mar. 1, 1977 4,241,458 Lesesne Dec. 30, 1980 4,254,900 Wheeler Mar. 10, 1981 4,333,591 Case June, 1982 4,402,440 Purtzer et al September, 1983 4,434,920 Moore March, 1984 4,492,326 Storm January, 1985 4,579,264 Napolitano April, 1986 4,606,078 Tkacsik Aug. 19, 1996 4,773,101 Kapp et al Sep. 27, 1988 4,778,091 Barto Oct. 18, 1988 4,886,315 Johnson December, 1989 4,897,885 Lunt Feb. 6, 1990 4,912,818 Meeker April, 1990 4,946,221 Livingston Aug. 7, 1990 4,987,612 Middleton January, 1991 4,989,268 Stolhand Feb. 5, 1991 4,993,090 Ranalli Feb. 19, 1991 4,995,116 Beauchamp et al Feb. 26, 1991 5,031,962 Lee July, 1991 5,034,999 Lubbers July, 1991 5,046,204 Mohler Sep. 10, 1991 5,058,226 Crosby Oct. 22, 1991 5,205,451 Manzer April, 1993 5,222,641 Medeiros, Jr. June, 1993 5,243,724 Barnes Sep. 14, 1993 5,246,152 Dotseth September, 1993 5,259,068 Carroll November, 1993 5,309,586 Sies et al May 10, 1994 5,437,061 Kenner Aug. 1, 1995 5,490,620 Bergqvist February, 1996 5,509,590 Medeiros, Jr. et al April, 1996 5,535,449 Dickey Jul. 16, 1996 5,609,279 O'Shea Mar. 11, 1997 5,611,095 Schneider Mar. 18, 1997 5,626,271 Messey et al May, 1997 5,690,258 Kataoka November, 1997 5,692,257 Albertieri Dec. 2, 1997 5,692,655 Fair et al December, 1997 5,722,094 Ruefer Mar. 3, 1998 5,730,490 Mortenson Mar. 24, 1998 5,732,861 Jakobson March, 1998 5,781,946 McEntire et al Jul. 21, 1998 5,791,535 Roan et al August, 1998 5,813,580 Fair September, 1998 5,848,741 Fair December, 1998 5,868,292 Stephens et al February, 1999 5,897,164 Kagan et al Apr. 27, 1999 5,946,725 Shatzkin et al Sep. 7, 1999 5,950,261 Hay et al Sep. 14, 1999 5,956,766 Benway Sep. 28, 1999 5,956,767 Imm Sep. 28, 1999 6,009,576 Gramme et al Jan. 4, 2000 6,012,189 Dudley Jan. 11, 2000 6,055,686 Knight May 2, 2000 6,056,355 Klassen May 2, 2000 6,145,932 Hamel-Nyhus et al Nov. 14, 2000 6,158,641 Eyman et al December, 2000 6,272,683 Symms et al Aug, 14, 2001 6,341,397 Kliegl et al Jan. 29, 2002 6,389,597 Henegan May 21, 2002 6,394,543 Dunne et al May 28, 2002 6,401,248 Christensen Jun. 11, 2002 6,408,439 Garforth-Crippen Jun. 25, 2002 6,409,060 Donine June, 2002 6,434,750 Hunter June, 2002 6,547,325 Drost et al Apr. 15, 2003 6,598,771 Norman Jul. 29, 2003 6,736,299 Bergkvist May 18, 2004 6,817,033 Bailey Nov. 16, 2004 D 116,907 Friedman September, 1939 D 120,718 Friedman May, 1940 D 132,469 Murphy May 19, 1942 D 255,952 Goldstone Jul. 22, 1980 D 260,695 Brookfield September, 1981 D 267,284 Andrews Dec. 21, 1982 D 269,658 Bor Jul. 12, 1983 D 277,811 Moore March, 1985 D 282,596 Bangert February, 1986 D 301,796 Sildva Jun. 27, 1989 D 313,723 Rankin et al Jan. 15, 1991 D 325,113 O'Loughlin Apr. 7, 1992 D 334,253 Balzarini March, 1993 D 355,068 Prendergast February, 1995 D 376,505 O'Brien Dec. 17, 1996 D 380,589 Westman Jul. 8, 1997 D 384,188 Imm Sep. 30, 1997 D 395,188 Rush June, 1998 D 399,676 Gerlach Oct. 20, 1998 D 448,914 Caudill Oct. 9, 2001 D 485,676 Simpson Jan. 27, 2004 [0004] Only D 485,676 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,750 are directed to covers for use with front carried and adult user supported carriers in a fashion having some similarity with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0005] With respect to the cover of D 485,676, which is a two-dimensional cover (vs. three dimensions as in the invention providing the invention's freedom ofmovement), it uses only two thin straps and does not allow for front or vertically spaced, waist strap attachments. Additionally, there are no side pockets for the adult user and no pouch for storing essentials. The Simpson cover also has no hood/collar arrangement, no way to adjust the cover's effective length and has limited wiggle room for the child, etc. [0006] With respect to the cover of U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,750, it attaches directly to the adult user, and has only a single strap which is extended around the adult user's neck, which uncomfortably goes around the adult user's neck. It has a bulky design with no way to adjust length (i.e., effective height), is not designed to be used on devices other than soft front infant carriers, and has no form of hood, etc. [0007] Examples of some of the products with which the exemplary embodiment of the present invention might be used include: [0008] Soft infant carriers such as, for example, the "Baby Bjorn.RTM." baby carrier (see www.babybjorn.com/TemplatesWeb/Productlnfo.asp?itemid=24 and FIG. 1A hereof), [0009] "Snugli.RTM." soft carriers (www.snugli.com/pr/pr.phtml), and [0010] "maclaren" baby carrier (www.maclarenbaby.com/US/pages/babycarrier.html), etc.; [0011] Infant car seats such as, for example, the "Graco.RTM. SnugRide.RTM." (www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=8647CAP&CategoryI D=1), which web site was working in 2004 but currently (Dec. 19, 2005) is not, and [0012] "Evenflo.RTM. Discovery" (www.evenflo.com/pr/in/prin_disc.phtml), etc.; [0013] Strollers; and [0014] Infant bouncy seats, such as, for example, the "Fisher-Price.RTM. Soothing Massage Bouncer" (www.fisher-price.com/us/babygear/product.asp?id=27467&c=bgb), etc.; etc. [0015] Other products on the market that perform a similar function to that of the exemplary embodiment, but offer less sophisticated or otherwise less advantageous design and without the patentable features of the present invention, include: [0016] "Mugwumps--The Cozy Topper" (www.mugwumps.biz/fleece.htm), which apparently merely is a cover comprised of two panels (front/rear) sewn together along their side and bottom edges, leaving no side expandable, extra interior room for the baby to easily move around in, kick, and the like, does refer to tucking the cover in around the baby, which is not required in the present invention, and does attach at its top to the carrier's shoulder straps with top straps on the cover but only there and not at the waist or elsewhere, and has a top, rectangular, flip-up flap for loosely covering (not like a hood) the baby's head but which is not capable of effectively, alternatively forming a sealing collar about the baby's neck and over the baby's shoulders as in one aspect of the present invention, etc., and is noted as being "patent pending" and apparently is possibly related to the above cited D485,676 patent (also note comments above with respect to this patent), and a similar product for protection from the sun termed the "Sun Topper" (www.mugwumps.biz/solar.htm#Topper), [0017] "Walk with Me.TM." (www.cc3design.com/) baby carrier cover, patent pending according to its website, [0018] "Kiddopotamus.RTM." (www.kiddopotamus.com/prod_fw_main.html, or, more recently, http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_flee.php) fleece warmer which includes side openings for the adult user to insert his or hands and a pop-out hood stored in a hidden pocket, [0019] "Kukuku.RTM." outnabout hands-free carrier covers (www.helpmelicense.com/kukuku.html), U.S. Pat. 6,434,750, both showing side pockets (note comments above with respect to this patent), [0020] "Kangaroo Kuddler.RTM." (www.mobilemoms.com/kankud.html) cover for front carriers, car seats, infant seats, strollers, etc., has a hand warmer pocket in the front for keeping the adult user's hands warm and snug as well with an easy "Velcro.RTM." attachment and a zippered pocket that contains a hood for the baby's head, and [0021] "Baby Capes" (www.babycapes.com/pages/1/index.html) attachable wraps appear to be completely & snugly wrapped around the adult user's body, as well as the baby in a front-type carrier, "fasten in four easy steps," etc., etc. [0022] [Copies of all of the above web sites as they existed as of the filing of the previously filed, provisional patent application are included in the USPTO file record of this utility patent application.] [0023] As will become clear from the below disclosures, the preferred embodiment of the carrier cover of the present invention is designed to provide a much better, more adaptable in use, baby carrier cover system for the baby and the adult user than that achieved in the prior art and is believed to be a significant, patentable addition to the "useful arts." GENERAL DISCUSION OF INVENTION [0024] As previously noted, the present invention relates to a cover for use with baby or young child carriers and the like (e.g., car seats, hand-carried carriers, baby carriers attached on the front of the body of the adult users, strollers, bouncers, etc.). [0025] Part of the problems resolved by the exemplary embodiment of the present carrier cover invention include: [0026] In cold weather eliminating the need to, for example, dress a child in a snowsuit prior to placing the child in an infant carrier. It dramatically simplifies traveling or doing errands with a small child. In addition to being far more comfortable for the child by allowing them greater freedom of movement, it allows, for example, a parent to remove the covering without having to remove the child from the carrier. Use of the exemplary embodiment also is believed to be safer since it decreases the amount of clothing between the child and the safety harness on the transportation device and [0027] In sunny weather providing a simple, breathable means to protect a child from the sun without having to worry about the coverage slipping off as it might when using, for example, a standard blanket. [0028] Functionality--the exemplary embodiment of the invention is designed to protect a child from the elements (sun, wind, cold weather, etc.) when the child is seated in an infant carrying device, stroller or bouncy seat. [0029] In contrast with the prior art and with respect to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is noted that the currently preferred, exemplary carrier cover of the invention preferably is affixed to the carrier itself and not to the adult user, and the adult users do not have to wear the cover's straps around themselves. In the preferred embodiment of the invention front straps are used to prevent sagging and to distribute the combined weight of the carrier cover and the contents of the pouch beyond the shoulder straps, while preferably waist straps allow the adult user or parent to remove the carrier cover from the child, while still keeping it attached to the carrier. This means that the adult users do not have to worry about carrying the cover around while doing, for example, errands. They, for example, simply tuck the cover into itself and allow it merely to hang. [0030] It is noted that the shoulder straps preferably are extensions of a horizontal band of heavy duty fabric. This horizontal band provides structure and ensures that the cover may be fastened such that the cover does not sag. In contrast the competing products typically use only a "Velcro".TM. type tab which does not provide such structure and results in sagging. [0031] The exemplary embodiment of the carrier cover of the present invention includes front, rear and side panels which are assembled to encase a child's body. When the exemplary embodiment of the carrier cover of the invention is used on a front carrier (such as, for example, the "Baby Bjorn.RTM." baby carrier), side slit pockets preferably are included to provide parents or other adult users with a way to keep their own hands warm, easy access to the baby, and access to preferably an interior, storage pouch, which preferably has a zippered or other appropriate closure. The front portion of the cover preferably is topped by two, generally triangular panels, which form a divided collar which is simply wrapped around the sides of the child's neck and over the child's shoulders to help seal out the elements and which, alternatively, may be snapped or otherwise affixed together (for example, alternatively using "Velcro".RTM. type material, etc.) to form a hood fully surrounding the child's head, including the child's head's sides. [0032] The right and left sides of the exemplary embodiment of the carrier cover preferably each include inverted box pleats or the like with a rectangular bottom. This design provides a nice tailored look while at the same time allows enough fabric and "give" so that the child can freely move his/her arms and legs. The currently preferred cover thus preferably has a squared-off, laterally expandable, paper grocery bag-like interior with the inverted box pleat or accordion-fold sides (or the like) providing a side expandable interior resulting in additional room for the child to comfortably move about, flail about, kick and the like. [0033] Within the inverted box pleat side panels preferably is, among other items, a cinching system which allows one to adjust the carrier cover's effective length to best accommodate the baby's height. [0034] The exemplary, currently preferred carrier cover of the invention can be attached using several, different strap sets, which preferably are located at the shoulder, front and waist areas. By providing multiple means by which to secure the carrier cover, this design ensures a snug, secure fit and also allows a parent to decrease coverage while allowing the carrier cover to remain affixed to the carrying device. For example, when in a store, a parent can undo the top shoulder straps and the front straps to remove the carrier cover from the child's shoulders and torso, while keeping the waist straps attached so that the child's legs remain covered. [0035] The cover's shoulder straps and its waist straps preferably provide a "vertically" spaced and at least a three-point (preferably a four-point as illustrated) carrier attachment, using preferably at least two, vertically spaced strap sets (shoulder and waist) to connect the cover directly to the carrier's body attachment straps (shoulder-strap-to-shoulder-strap and waist-strap-to-waist-strap) and not directly to the user. This results in a very stable fastening of the cover to the carrier, vertically spaced a significant distance (at least about six or more inches) and spaced side-to-side by the width separation distance(s) of the carrier's shoulder and waist straps. However, although a four-point, vertically spaced arrangement is much preferred, one could use just a two-point attachment at the carrier's should straps, if so desired, while enjoying other ones of the patentable, independent features described herein. Continue reading... Full patent description for Baby carrier cover system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Baby carrier cover system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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