Abstract:
A system for restraining the upper torso of a child or infant for diapering activities. The system provides a stable base ( 10 ) onto which the child is laid, and provides restraining straps ( 16 ) which are attached to the base ( 10 ) and arranged over the chest of the child in a crisscrossing manner. The child is prevented from rolling, sitting and sliding by the combined action of the restraining straps ( 16 ) and the stable base ( 10 ). The system effectively controls movement of the child&#39;s upper torso and maintains the child in a proper diapering position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to child restraint systems, specifically to such restraint systems which are used for diapering activities. 
     BACKGROUND 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Many a care-giver has struggled to maintain a writhing infant in a suitable position for a diaper change. As babies learn to move about, they are less inclined to remain still when placed upon their backs. Commonly during a diapering activity, a growing infant will roll over, sit up, or push himself in a head-wise direction by planting his heels and thrusting his legs. In addition to causing considerable inconvenience to the care-giver, such movements create significant hazards. Sadly, many infants have suffered serious injuries after falling from elevated changing surfaces. 
     The patent record reveals a long history of inventions which have aimed to address these issues of safety and convenience. Many early designs including Pringle U.S. Pat. No. 2,102,281, Hoder U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,466, and Lovett U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,595 employ upper-torso restraint systems. Each of these devices requires that several components be interlocked to create a secure restraint. Such operations are particularly difficult for care-givers to perform when a child is writhing vigorously. As a result, any convenience such devices might offer through restraint of the child is likely negated by the inconveniences encountered while interlocking the components. 
     A trend towards less complexity is demonstrated in De Puy U.S. Pat. No. 2,846,700, Boudreau U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,540, and Eves U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,258; each of which utilizes a single cross-torso strap restraint. A basic version of the cross-torso strap restraint is in wide use today. Despite its popularity, this system does not provide adequate restraint for an active infant. It fails to prevent the child from rolling onto his belly, from sitting upright if the strap is located at or below his navel, or from thrusting himself in a head-wise direction. Though widely available and relatively simple by design, the cross-torso strap restraint has not adequately addressed the needs of care-givers as revealed by the continuing patent record. 
     Several later 20 th  century patents such as Hamann U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,669 and Kassan U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,654 call for larger-scale structures and mechanisms. The Hamann invention utilizes a separation panel designed to be placed across the child&#39;s torso in order to keep the child&#39;s arms separated from his lower half. Additionally, it includes ankle straps to separate the child&#39;s feet and fasten them to the changing surface. Such a design limits the care-giver&#39;s ability to raise the child&#39;s lower half from the changing surface in order to clean the child&#39;s bottom. The Kassan invention utilizes a multi-part stirrup device to maintain control over the elevation and separation of the child&#39;s ankles. Such a system requires first, that each ankle be captured in the stirrups, and second, that someone or some additional structure provides lifting support for the stirrup device so that the diapering activity can be performed below it. The child can still twist her body, thrust her legs and generally move in an unsuitable way while this device is employed. Both the Hamann and the Kassan inventions are too costly for the average consumer because of the complexity of their designs. Furthermore, the Kassan design is somewhat imposing and may be threatening to a young child. 
     Recently, an interest in the upper-torso restraint concept has returned as revealed by Hayes U.S. Pat. No. Des. 393561 and Sartin U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,874. The Hayes design utilizes two strap restraints which pin the child&#39;s shoulders down to the changing surface at points above each shoulder and below each armpit. Such restraints against the sensitive area beneath the arms may cause discomfort and aggravation, making the diapering process taxing for both child and care-giver. 
     The Sartin system employs a base structure upon which a child is laid and a tank-top shaped chest cover which is attached to the base structure at each shoulder and at each lateral side such that the child is sandwiched between the chest cover and the base structure. This four point attachment scheme may be too tedious for some caregivers who will decide not to bother with the four separate attachments after a few usages. Furthermore, repeated removal and reattachment of the detachable chest cover from the base structure increases the likelihood that the chest cover will be lost or misplaced away from the changing area. A hazardous situation could arise if a care-giver leaves a child unattended on an elevated changing surface to retrieve a misplaced chest cover. 
     As described in this section, each of these diaper-changing restraint systems suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: 
     a) The design requires too many operational steps thereby negating any added convenience. 
     b) The design does not provide adequate restraint features, allowing movements such as rolling, sliding or sitting upright. Such movements are inconveniences for the care-giver, and, more critically, safety hazards for the child. 
     c) The design is too complex to manufacture at a cost that is reasonable for the consumer. 
     d) The design is imposing and may frighten the child. 
     e) The design is uncomfortable for the child. 
     f) The device has separable components which can be lost or misplaced after usage. 
     Objects and Advantages 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     a) to provide improved convenience with a simple system requiring few operational steps; 
     b) to provide improved child safety during the diapering activity with adequate restraint features that resist movements such as rolling, sliding and sitting upright; 
     c) to provide an affordable diapering restraint system by limiting the part count and minimizing the design complexity; 
     d) to provide a diapering restraint system within which a child can feel unthreatened; 
     e) to provide a comfortable diapering restraint system that gently maintains the child in a proper diapering position; 
     f) to provide a fully connected diapering restraint system that maintains all components with the device at all times. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide a system that can be tailored to rest permanently upon a dresser or table top, or to fold neatly into the child&#39;s travel bag. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention a diapering restraint system comprises a stable base upon which a child can be laid, and a plurality of restraining straps which are attached to the base and arranged such that they can be secured across the upper-torso of the child in a crisscrossing manner. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Drawing Figures 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment. The invention is shown in use with the straps secured to restrain a child upon the base. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line  3 — 3  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 4 through 6 are cross sectional views similar to FIG. 4 but showing variants of the device shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment in use. The device is shown having curved straps and a central connection at the midline of the child&#39;s chest. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       10  base 
       12  stabilizing structure 
       14  top surface 
       16  restraining straps 
       18  cushioning material 
       20  base casing 
       22  first crossing strap 
       22 A shoulder extension (first crossing strap) 
       22 B torso extension (first crossing strap) 
       24  second crossing strap 
       24 A shoulder extension (second crossing strap) 
       24 B torso extension (second crossing strap) 
       26  fastening means 
       28  connection means 
       30  adjustment means 
       32  cushioned pad 
       34  cushioned pad casting 
       36  through-openings 
       38  strap attachment locations 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1  through  3 —Preferred Embodiment 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. The form of the device comprises a stable base  10  with a top surface  14  upon which a child can be laid, and restraining straps  16  that are attached to the base  10  to secure the child in a proper diapering position as demonstrated in FIG.  1 . The base  10  is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit upon diaper changing tables and dressers. However, the device may be scaled larger or smaller as needed for specific usages. In the preferred embodiment, the base  10  solely comprises a stabilizing structure  12  which is labeled in FIG.  3 . The stabilizing structure  12  is sized to resist the overturning forces which can be produced by a child moving vigorously upon the base  10  when secured by the restraining straps  16 . The stabilizing structure  12  may be constructed of any material providing substantial rigidity for the application. Such materials include wood products, plastics, and metals. The thickness of the stabilizing structure  12  is dependent upon the strength characteristics of the material from which it is made. The present invention may further utilize the working surface of a changing table or dresser for the stabilizing feature of the base  10 . Alternatively, the stabilizing structure  12  can derive its stability and rigidity from a framework construction rather than from a structural member of uniform cross-section. Another suitable alternative for the stabilizing structure  12  is a molded plastic form with a top surface  12  that is contoured to receive the child&#39;s body. 
     Attached to the base  10  are restraining straps  16  generally having a wide flat cross section and an elongated length. The restraining straps  16 , including a first crossing strap  22  and a second crossing strap  24  shown in FIG. 1, are sized and arranged to be secured across the chest of the child in a crisscrossing manner. The first crossing strap  22  is attached to the base  10  at the child&#39;s left shoulder and at the right side of the child&#39;s torso. The second crossing strap  24  is attached to the base  10  at the child&#39;s right shoulder and at the left side of the child&#39;s torso. In the preferred embodiment, the straps  22  and  24  are constructed of a flexible webbing material. Alternatively, the straps can be constructed from fabric or any suitably flexible and durable material that is safe for use with young children. 
     The restraining straps  16  are attached to the base  10  at the strap attachment locations  38  which are labeled in FIG.  2 . The attachments can be constructed as permanent or releasable attachments. Permanent attachments may be formed with tacks, rivets or adhesives while releasable attachments may include snaps, buckles, or touch-close materials. Either manner of attachment must allow for an effective transfer of force between the restraining straps  16  and the base  10 . A simplified attachment scheme is represented in FIG.  3 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, both the first crossing strap  22  and the second crossing strap  24  are comprised of two strap segments which are connected with a releasable fastening means  26 . These strap segments are illustrated in FIG. 2, including shoulder extensions  22 A and  24 A, and torso extensions  22 B and  24 B. The fastening means  26 , labeled in FIGS. 1 and 3, is shown as provided by snap fasteners. However, other releasable fasteners may be used such as buckles, buttons and touch-close materials. As an alternative design, both the first crossing strap  22  and the second crossing strap  24  can be constructed as un-segmented elements (not pictured). With this alternative, the releasable fastening means  26  should be provided for each crossing strap at one or both of its strap attachment locations  38 . 
     An adjustment means  30  may be provided with the restraining straps  16  to allow the strap lengths to be customized to fit securely across children of various sizes. The adjustment means  30 , labeled in FIG. 2, is provided by a series of snap fasteners, where shoulder extensions  22 A and  24 A each include several female snap fastener halves, and where torso extensions  22 B and  24 B each include a single male snap fastener half. This arrangement of male and female halves can be swapped or rearranged without compromising function. Alternatively, the adjustment means  30  may be provided in other ways as with slide-locking buckles, with large contact areas of touch-close materials, and with the use of elastic material in the construction of the straps to allow the straps to stretch to a range of lengths. 
     Operation—FIGS. 1-3 
     The manner for using the diapering restraint system of FIGS. 1 through 3 is straightforward. The device according to the preferred embodiment must first be rested upon a substantially rigid and horizontal surface such as a table top or a floor. The next step is to position the child upon the device such that the child&#39;s shoulders and the sides of the child&#39;s torso are in line with the strap attachment locations  38 . After the child is positioned, the restraining straps  16  are arranged and secured across the child&#39;s upper body in a crisscrossing manner. Specifically, the first crossing strap  22  is secured by fastening the shoulder extension  22 A to the torso extension  22 B. In this embodiment, the first crossing strap is adjusted for fit and fastened in one procedure using snap fasteners. As mentioned previously, the adjustment means  30  can be provided in other ways as with slide-locking buckles, touch-close fasteners or elastic. Where other adjustment means  30  are provided, the first crossing strap  22  may be adjusted for proper fit in a separate step. Next, the second crossing strap  24  is secured in the same manner as the first crossing strap  22 . Namely, the shoulder extension  24 A is fastened to the torso extension  24 B, and the strap is adjusted for fit as needed with the adjustment means  30 . Once the restraining straps  16  are secured and adjusted, the child is properly restrained within the device and the diapering activity can be performed. It should be noted that the order by which the restraining straps are secured is arbitrary and has been specified in this text for illustrative purposes only. 
     To remove the child from the device, the restraining straps  16  must be unfastened so that the child is no longer restrained and thus can be removed. 
     FIGS.  4  through  8 —Additional Embodiments 
     The form of the device shown in FIG. 4 is very similar to the form depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3 except that the base  10  includes a layer of cushioning material  18 . This layer of cushioning material  18  is located above the stabilizing structure  12  and extends the full length of the device to provide added comfort for the child that is laid upon it. The cushioning material  18  is preferably foam of the type commonly used in mattress and upholstery padding. Other cushioning materials which may be suitable for the application include fills such as those used in pillows and stuffed toys. In the form of the device shown in FIG. 4, the top surface  14  may be provided by a cleanable, flexible and waterproof material to offer a suitable work surface for diaper changing activities. Vinyl fabrics are quite suitable for top surface  14 . 
     The cushioning feature of the device in FIG. 5 is provided by a cushioned pad  32  that is separable from the rest of the device. Similarly to the form of the device in FIG. 4, the cushioned pad  32  includes a layer of cushioning material  18 . The cushioning material  18  is surrounded by a cushioned pad casing  34  that is constructed preferably from a flexible, cleanable and waterproof material like vinyl. The cushioned pad  32  has through-openings  36  through which the restraining straps  16  can be passed. FIG. 5 illustrates the through-openings  36  that are aligned with torso extensions  22 B and  24 B. 
     An alternative arrangement of the cushioning feature and the base  10  is illustrated in FIG.  6 . This form of this device is similar to that of FIG. 4 except that the base  10  includes a base casing  20  which envelopes both the cushioning material  18  and the stabilizing structure  12 . Furthermore, the restraining straps  16  are attached to the top surface  14  of the base  10  which is formed by the base casing  20 . The attachment of the restraining straps  16  to the base casing  20  may be fashioned in any number of ways, including stitching, gluing, and fusing. Any such attachment must be strong enough to transfer forces from the restraining straps  16  into the base casing  20  without failure of the attachment. Similarly, the base casing  20  must be constructed of a material of substantial durability to withstand these forces and to transfer them to the stabilizing structure  12 . Additionally, this material for the base casing  20  should be cleanable, flexible and waterproof. 
     The form of the device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is very similar to that of the other figures, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the device of FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a connection means  28  to releasably connect the restraining straps  16  together at the location where the straps cross each other. This connection means  28  improves the restraining ability of the device by further limiting the range of movement of the child&#39;s upper body. With the connection means  28  employed, the restraining straps  16  are held in a fixed position relative to each other and do not slide back and forth as the child attempts to roll from side to side. A snap fastener is shown in FIG. 7 for the connection means  28  but other suitable connectors like buttons, buckles and touch-close materials could be used instead. 
     In addition, the device of FIGS. 7 and 8 is illustrated with an alternative design shape for the restraining straps  16 . These straps are shown constructed from a fabric material and shaped to conform to a child&#39;s body. The plan view of FIG. 8 shows the conforming shape of the restraining straps  16  by the curved forms of shoulder extensions  22 A and  24 A. 
     Moreover, in the form of the device illustrated in FIG. 8, the stabilizing structure  12  is represented by dashed lines forming the shape of a rectangle. In this view, a cushion pad  32  comprises the larger rectangular element of the device while the stabilizing structure  12  comprises the smaller rectangular element below the cushioned pad  32 . This stabilizing structure  12  need not be sized the full length and the full width of the device, but must be sized large enough to provide adequate stabilization to the system to thwart the overturning forces produced by the child. A minimally-sized stabilizing structure  12  may provide several advantages over a larger element including reduced weight, reduced material costs, and easier transportability. With this design, the flexible materials including the cushioned pad  32  and the restraining straps  16  can be collapsed and folded around the stabilizing structure  12  to create a diapering restraint system that packs well into a travel bag. 
     It should be understood that the features highlighted in FIGS. 7 and 8, namely the connection means  28 , the alternative design shape of the restraining straps  16 , and the stabilizing structure  12  of reduced size, may be combined with any other variation of the present invention. 
     Operation of the Additional Embodiments 
     The manners for using the variations of the device illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6 are identical to the manner for using the device according to the preferred embodiment. However, operation of the device of FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to that according to the preferred embodiment but includes an additional step to connect the restraining straps  16  together by the connection means  28  at the location where the straps cross. This step to connect the restraining straps  16  together can be performed after the child is properly positioned upon the device. 
     Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the diapering restraint system of this invention presents a number of advantages over the heretofore known restraint systems, in that: 
     a) the combined action of the crisscrossing straps and the stabilizing structure acts to maintain a child in a proper diapering position by thwarting the child&#39;s attempts to roll, sit, and slide, thereby improving child safety and caregiver convenience during the diapering activity; 
     b) the simple design with common material selection makes the system economical to manufacture; 
     c) the straightforward design renders the system easy to operate; 
     d) the features of the design are unthreatening; 
     e) the arrangement of the straps creates a comfortable restraint for the child; 
     f) the components of the system remain connected together during and between usages thereby providing that no part should be misplaced or lost. 
     The description presented above is provided to illustrate some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the invention. It is appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification and variation without departing from the scope of the appended claims.