Abstract:
An infant hat with a pacifier retaining strap retains and secures a pacifier nearby an infant&#39;s mouth. The device includes a hat and a pair of fastening straps. The hat is a headgear member adapted for wear on a head of an infant. Each of the straps is a durable fabric member affixed to a perimeter side portion of the hat. Each strap has a fastener which allows the free end of strap to be secured to a middle portion of itself to form a loop. In such a manner, both straps loop through a pair of pacifier mouth guard slits while an infant is wearing the hat in order to provide secure retention of the pacifier within or adjacent to the infant&#39;s mouth. In an alternate embodiment, the pair of fastening straps attach to a separate retaining ring capable of engaging a rear of the pacifier guard.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to infant pacifiers, and in particular, to a hat having a pair of pacifier retaining straps and a retaining ring for maintaining a pacifier in a position adjacent to the mouth of an infant. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As any parent will surely attest, pacifiers are indispensable pieces of equipment used in the raising of a child. They are invaluable in that they satisfy a child&#39;s need to be soothed and comforted. Of course, a pacifier is prone to easily falling out of an infant&#39;s mouth and can be even thrown or dropped, whether intentional or accidental. Then the parent or care giver must quickly locate the pacifier and perhaps even clean it should it be dirty. This quickly becomes tiresome for the adults and irritating for the child resulting in crying on their part. This is especially troublesome during nighttime hours when the parent must get up out of bed over and over again. 
     Existing pacifier retaining devices typically include an elongated strap or cord having one (1) end connected or affixed to the pacifier and the other opposing end coupled to the infant or the infant&#39;s clothing. These retaining devices are often times unreliable and can in some instances be dangerous for the infant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a wearable device that retains pacifiers such that they do not fall away from a child&#39;s mouth. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing an infant hat with pacifier retaining strap that allows parents and caregivers the ability to retain a pacifier in a child&#39;s mouth which is easy and effective and also reduces loss of pacifiers. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a infant hat with pacifier retaining strap includes a hat having a flexible head receiving member adapted to receive an infant&#39;s head having a perimeter opening suitably sized to approximate the infant&#39;s head and a pair of straps affixed to opposing locations upon the hat perimeter opening. Each of the straps having a length adjustable fastener for forming a loop in a free end. The loop in the free end of each strap is connectable to side slits on opposing ends of a pacifier guard for maintaining a pacifier in a position adjacent to a mouth of an infant. 
     In certain embodiments, the device also includes a retaining ring adapted to contact a rear surface of a pacifier guard. The loop in the free end of each strap is connectable to the retaining ring for maintaining a pacifier in a position adjacent to a mouth of an infant. 
     The loop is formed when the male snap fastener is engaged to a selected one of the plurality of female snap fasteners. Engaging the male snap fastener to a different one of the plurality of female snap fasteners longitudinally adjusts a length of the strap to effectively maintain the pacifier at different positions relative to the infant&#39;s mouth. 
     Another feature of the invention is providing a pacifier retaining ring that is attachable to the infant hat having a pair of straps affixed to opposing locations upon a hat perimeter opening, where each of the straps include a length adjustable fastener for forming a loop in a free end and the retaining ring includes a generally thin retaining ring body having a curved shape adapted to match a shape of a pacifier mouth guard. A pair of retaining ring slots is disposed along opposing sides of the retaining ring body adapted for receiving the pair of straps. A retaining feature is disposed on the retaining ring body and is adapted for receiving a pacifier handle affixed to the rear surface of the pacifier mouth guard. The straps are connected through the retaining ring slots for maintaining the pacifier in a position adjacent to the mouth of the infant. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of the infant hat with pacifier retaining strap in accordance with the invention, depicted as attached to a first pacifier; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the infant hat with pacifier retaining strap; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the infant hat with pacifier retaining strap depicted as attached to the first pacifier; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the infant hat with pacifier retaining strap in accordance with the invention depicted as attached to a pacifier retaining ring for use with a second pacifier; 
         FIG. 5  is an environmental view of the infant hat with pacifier retaining strap and the retaining ring depicted as attached to the second pacifier; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a first alternate retaining ring; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first alternate retaining ring depicted for use with a third pacifier; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a second alternate retaining ring; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the second alternate retaining ring; and; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the second alternate retaining ring depicted for use with a fourth pacifier. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  infant hat with pacifier retaining strap 
               20  hat 
               30  pacifier retaining strap 
               31  strap loop 
               34  female fastener 
               35  male fastener 
               40  pacifier retaining ring 
               41  retaining ring aperture 
               100  infant 
               101  head 
               102  mouth 
               110  first pacifier 
               111  mouth guard 
               112  first pacifier slit 
               113  nipple 
               114  first pacifier handle 
               120  second pacifier 
               124  second pacifier handle 
               125  third pacifier 
               126  third pacifier handle 
               127  fourth pacifier 
               128  fourth pacifier handle 
               129  nipple aperture 
               140  first alternate retaining ring 
               141  first alternate retaining ring body 
               142  first alternate retaining ring slot 
               143  first alternate retaining feature 
               144  perimeter member 
               145  flaps 
               146  retaining aperture 
               240  second alternate retaining ring 
               241  second alternate retaining ring body 
               242  second alternate retaining ring slot 
               243  second alternate retaining feature 
               244  nipple grip 
               245  nipple grip aperture 
               246  handle slot 
               247  L-shaped protrusion 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 , and in alternate embodiments herein depicted within  FIGS. 4 through 10 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 10 , depicting an infant hat with pacifier retaining strap (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes the device  10  for keeping various styles of pacifiers  110 ,  120 ,  125 ,  127  retained within an infant&#39;s mouth  102  or nearby to the infant&#39;s mouth  102  during periods when the pacifier  110 ,  120 ,  125 ,  127  falls out of the child&#39;s mouth  102 . 
     The device  10  generally includes a hat  20  and a pair of pacifier retaining straps  30  to hold the pacifier  110 ,  120 ,  125 ,  127  against an infant  100  with an adjustable amount of tension. The device  10  is particularly suited for use while an infant  100  is sleeping, wherein the device  10  applies just enough force to prevent the pacifier  110 ,  120 ,  125 ,  127  from slipping out of the infant&#39;s mouth  102  and waking the infant  100 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an environmental view of the device  10  depicted as attached to a first pacifier  110  which is disposed within an infant&#39;s mouth  102 . The hat  20  is placed on the top of an infant&#39;s head  101  during use. In certain embodiments, the hat  20  is constructed of a soft, elastic fabric material that fits securely and comfortably over the infant&#39;s head  101 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the device  10 . The pacifier retaining straps  30  are generally rectangular fabric straps having a relatively narrow width compared to length. Both of the straps  30  are affixed to the hat  20  at a near end. The straps  30  are affixed at opposing points along a lower perimeter edge of the hat  20 . The straps  30  are preferably sewn to the hat  20  during manufacturing. 
     Each strap  30  has a male fastener  35  affixed to a flat surface at a distal inner end, opposite the near end affixed to the hat  20 . The male fastener  35  is a releasable mechanical fastener, such as a snap fastener, a button fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. Each strap  30  also has a plurality of corresponding female fasteners  34  affixed to the same flat inner surface as the male fastener  34  at a proximal end of the strap  30 . The plurality of female fasteners  34  are preferably equally spaced along the length of the near end of the strap  30 . The female fastener  34  is a corresponding portion of the releasable mechanical fastener, such as a snap fastener, a button fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. 
     The male fastener  35  is releasably fastenable to any one (1) of the female fasteners  34  during use to form a closed loop  31  in the strap  30 . The size of the loop  31  is adjusted by fastening the male fastener  35  to a desired one (1) of the female fasteners  34 . In the illustrated embodiments, the male fastener  35  is a male snap fastener and the female fasteners  34  are female snap fasteners which receive and retain the male fastener  35  via an interference and friction fit. It can be appreciated that other releasable two-part mechanical fasteners such as hook-and-loop-type fasteners, belt-type fasteners, and the like can be used with equal benefit as aforementioned. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the device  10  as attached to the first pacifier  110 . The first pacifier  110  is illustrated as one variety of infant pacifiers having a mouth guard  111 , a nipple  113  extending from an inner surface of the mouth guard  111 , and a first pacifier handle  114  attached to an outer surface of the mouth guard  111 . The first pacifier handle  114  is illustrated as a ring hingedly attached to the mouth guard  111 . The first pacifier  110  also includes a pair of first pacifier slits  112  located at opposing side positions, in a manner common to many styles of pacifiers. 
     When utilized with the first pacifier  110 , having the pair of opposing slits  112 , the straps  30  are threaded through the respective slits  112  in order to retain the pacifier  110  to the infant&#39;s mouth  102 . More particularly, during use a caretaker places the hat  20  on the infant&#39;s head  101  and then threads the distal end of each strap  30  through the respective slit  112 . The caretaker then fastens each male fastener  35  to a desired one (1) of the corresponding female fasteners  34  to form a loop  31 , thereby preventing the pacifier  110  from falling away from the infant&#39;s mouth  102 . The size of the loops  31  vary based on which female fastener  34  is utilized, in such a manner the caretaker can provide a selected amount of tension against the pacifier  110  with the straps  30  and select a configuration which securely retains the pacifier  110  without straining or injuring the infant  100 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device  10  utilizing a retaining ring  40  which is coupleable to a second pacifier  120  in accordance with the invention. In certain embodiments, the device  10  includes a retaining ring  40  that is used to retain various styles of second pacifiers  120  which do not have slits  112 . The retaining ring  40  is a thin circular structure with an open space in the middle forming a large aperture  41 . The retaining ring  40  has a size similar to the overall size of the pacifier  120 . In certain embodiments, the retaining ring  40  has a generally torus shape and is constructed from a high-friction plastic material to prevent slipping against the outer surface of the mouth guard  111  of the second pacifier  120 . 
     The retaining ring aperture  41  is large enough to be placed against the outer surface of the mouth guard  111  of the second pacifier  120  and to fit over a second pacifier handle  124  attached to the mouth guard  111 . The retaining ring aperture  41  is small enough that the retaining ring  40  contacts the mouth guard  111  of the second pacifier  120  when the aperture  41  is placed over the second pacifier handle  124 . The straps  30  are attached to the retaining ring  40  by forming strap loops  31  around the retaining ring  40  in a similar manner as forming the loops  31  through the pacifier slits  112  as previously described for use with the first pacifier  110 . When the retaining ring  40  is mounted to the second pacifier  120 , it applies a force against the outer, or rear, surface of the mouth guard  111  of the second pacifier  120  to retain in the infant&#39;s mouth  102 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an environmental view of the device  10  and the retaining ring  40  as attached to the second pacifier  120  which is depicted in the infant&#39;s mouth  102 . During use with the second pacifier  120 , having no pacifier slits  112 , the hat  20  is placed on the infant&#39;s head  101  and the second pacifier  120  is placed in the infant&#39;s mouth  102 . The retaining ring  40  is passed over the second pacifier handle  124  and placed against the mouth guard  111  of the second pacifier  120 . The straps  30  are then passed through the ring  40  and the male fastener  35  is attached to a selected one (1) of the corresponding female fasteners  34  to form a pair of loops  31 . This provides a gentle force against the rear of the pacifier  120  to prevent the retaining ring  40  from falling away. Since the retaining ring  40  is positioned over the second pacifier  120 , the retaining ring  40  holds the second pacifier  120  against the infant&#39;s mouth  102  and prevents the pacifier  120  from accidentally falling away from the infant  100  while sleeping. Alternately, the pacifier can be attached to the straps  30  prior to placing the hat  20  on the head  110  of the infant  100 . 
     The device  10  is adjusted against the second pacifier  120  similarly to the first pacifier  110 . The size of the loops  31  will vary based on which female fastener  34  is utilized, so that the caretaker can provide a selected amount of tension against the retaining ring  40  and thus the pacifier  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6  though  10  depicting alternate embodiments of the retaining rings.  FIGS. 6 and 7  show a first alternate retaining ring  140  for use with a third pacifier  125 . The third pacifier  125  includes those types of pacifiers having a mouth guard  111 , a nipple  113  extending from an inner surface of the mouth guard  111 , and a third pacifier handle  126 . The third pacifier handle  126  is illustrated as a generally cylindrical knob extending from the outer surface of the mouth guard  111 .  FIGS. 8 through 10  show a second alternate retaining ring  240  for use with a fourth pacifier  127 . The fourth pacifier  127  includes those types of pacifiers having a mouth guard  111 , a nipple  113  extending from an inner surface of the mouth guard  111 , and a fourth pacifier handle  128 . The nipple  113  of the fourth pacifier  127  is generally hollow and a nipple aperture  129  is disposed within the center of the mouth guard  111  for providing an opening to the hollow nipple  113 . The fourth pacifier handle  128  is illustrated as a generally curved, thin rib extending outwardly from the outer surface of the mouth guard  111 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first alternate retaining ring  140  has a generally thin, plastic retaining ring body  141 . The retaining ring body  141  preferably has a slightly curved profile to match the curvature of the mouth guard  111  of the third pacifier  125 . A first alternate retaining feature  143  is disposed at a generally central location of the retaining ring body  141  for captively engaging the third pacifier handle  126  when inserted within. The first alternate retaining feature  143  is preferably a semi-rigid perimeter member  144  having a plurality of flexible flaps  145  that define a retaining aperture  146 . The third pacifier handle  126  is inserted through the retaining aperture  146  where the flexible flaps  145  grip around its circumference to retain the third pacifier  125  within the first alternate retaining ring  140 . A pair of first alternate retaining ring slots  142  are disposed at opposing sides of the retaining ring body  141 . Each retaining ring slot  142  is adapted for threadably receiving one of the pacifier retaining straps  30 . The straps  30  are passed through the retaining ring slots  142  and the male fastener  35  of each strap  30  is attached to a selected one (1) of the corresponding female fasteners  34  to form a loop  31 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the second alternate retaining ring  240  also has a generally thin, plastic second alternate retaining ring body  241 , having a front surface and a rear surface. The retaining ring body  241  can have a flat profile or a slightly curved profile to match the curvature of the mouth guard  111  of the fourth pacifier  127 . A pair of second alternate retaining features  243  is disposed at opposing sides of the inner surface of the retaining ring body  241  for captively engaging the mouth guard  111  of the fourth pacifier  127  when inserted within. The second alternate retaining features  243  include a pair of semi-flexible, inwardly facing L-shaped protrusions  247  extending outwardly away from the retaining ring body  241 . As such, a gap is formed between the protrusions  247  and the front surface of the retaining ring body  241 . The second alternate retaining features  243  also includes a hollow nipple grip  244  is disposed at a generally central location of the retaining ring body  241  and extends outwardly around a nipple grip aperture  245  for insertingly engaging the hollow nipple  113  of the fourth pacifier  127  when inserted within. The nipple grip aperture  245  provides access to the hollow interior of the nipple  113  of the fourth pacifier  127 . A pair of handle slots  246  is disposed along a top and bottom end of the retaining ring body  241  for receiving the fourth pacifier handle  128 . The fourth pacifier handle  128  can be captively inserted within either one of the pair of handle slots  246 , in such a manner the fourth pacifier handle  128  can be used right-side up or upside down with the second alternate retaining ring  240 . The fourth pacifier handle  128  is inserted through one of the handle slots  246  where the flexible protrusions  247  grip around the edge of the mouth guard  111 . The nipple grip  244  inserts within the nipple aperture  129  for gripping the inside of the hollow nipple  113 . A pair of second alternate retaining ring slots  242  is disposed at opposing sides of the retaining ring body  241 , adjacent to an outermost edge thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible protrusions  247  are spaced inwardly from the retaining ring slots  242 . Each retaining ring slot  242  is adapted for threadably receiving one of the pacifier retaining straps  30 . The straps  30  are passed through the retaining ring slots  242  and the male fastener  35  of each strap  30  is attached to a selected one (1) of the corresponding female fasteners  34  to form a loop  31 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 10 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. Obtaining the device  10 . Determining a proper tension for the straps  30  by placing the hat  20  on an infant&#39;s head  101 , passing each strap  30  through a corresponding pacifier slit  112 , placing the pacifier  110  in the infant&#39;s mouth  102 , and attaching each male fastener  35  to a selected corresponding female fastener  34  in order to form a loop  31 . Securing the pacifier  110  within the loops  31  and providing a desired amount of tension against the pacifier  110 . Detaching the male fastener  35  and reattaching the male fastener  35  to a different female fastener  34  to adjust the amount of tension against the pacifier  110 . Preventing the pacifier  110  from accidentally falling away from the infant  100  and the infant&#39;s mouth  102  during use. Removing the hat  20  and pacifier  110  after use. 
     After a first use, the device  10  can be used in a quicker manner by leaving the pacifier  110  attached to the straps  30  during periods of non-use and replacing the pacifier  110  in the infant&#39;s mouth as needed. By replacing the hat  20  on the infant&#39;s head  101  the caretaker can instantly and accurately achieve the same predetermined desired amount of tension as determined above. 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  with the various other styles of pacifiers  120 ,  125 ,  127 , having no pacifier slits  112 , can be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. Obtaining the device  10 . Placing the hat  20  on an infant&#39;s head  101 . Placing the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127  in the infant&#39;s mouth  102 . Passing the retaining ring  40 ,  140 ,  240  over the pacifier handle  124 ,  126 ,  246  and placing against the rear surface of the mouth guard  111  of the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127 . Passing each strap  30  through the retaining ring aperture  41 ,  142 ,  242  and attaching each male fastener  35  to a selected corresponding female fastener  34  in order to form a loop  31 . Securing the retaining ring  40 ,  140 ,  240  and provide a desired amount of tension against the retaining ring  40  and the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127 . Detaching the male fastener  35  and reattaching to a different female fastener  34  to adjust the amount of tension against the retaining ring  40 ,  140 ,  240  and the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127 . Preventing the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127  from accidentally falling away from the infant  100  and the infant&#39;s mouth  102  during use. Removing the hat  20  and pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127  after use. 
     After a first use of the device  10  with the retaining ring  40 ,  140 ,  240 , the device  10  can be used in a quicker manner by leaving the retaining ring  40 ,  140 ,  240  attached to the straps  30  during periods of non-use and replacing the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127  in the infant&#39;s mouth. The retaining ring  40 ,  140 ,  240  is placed over the pacifier  120 ,  125 ,  127  and the hat  20  is placed on the infant&#39;s head  101  to instantly and accurately achieve the same predetermined desired amount of tension as determined above. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.