Abstract:
An article restraint device for use in restraining an article such as a baby bottle proximate a given location. The device can be used to tether items that fit into an article holding sleeve to adjacent structure or to an individual. The device is made of flexible-foam type material that will stretch to accommodate items of various dimensions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/654,669 filed Feb. 17, 2005, herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Field of the Invention  
       [0002]     The invention disclosed here is an article restraint device that attaches to an article such as a children&#39;s spill proof drinking cup, a baby bottle, a toy item, or the like. It can be used to tether any item that fits within the confines of the article holding sleeve. For instance, it can be used to hold a beverage container, a water bottle, a cell phone, an “iPod,” or any device that can fit in and be snugly surrounded by the article holding sleeve.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In many situations there is a need to have an article remain within reach of an individual.  
         [0004]     One expected use of the invention presented herein is for use with bottles being held or used by small children. In this situation a cup or bottle is held in the restraint device which is attached to a stroller, car seat, high chair, or the like while also within reach of the child or having a portion of the device within reach of the child.  
         [0005]     In another situation it is helpful to have a beverage container on a tether attached to the individual so that the beverage container can be easily retrieved by the individual. For instance, a hiker may be carrying a water bottle and will find situations where it is convenient to release his/her hold on the bottle and yet have the bottle still accessible and retrievable. Another example is when a person is riding a bicycle. In many cases the bicycle will have a water bottle cage however grasping, retrieving and returning the water bottle to the cage is tricky and the water bottle may be dropped.  
         [0006]     Parents with preschool age children will understand that this device is a solution to the frustrating situation where a drink cup, such as a spill proof “sippy-cup,” is handed to a child only to be dropped from the grasp of the child. Often the dropped item is dropped beyond the reach of the child and there is no one to pick up and hand the dropped cup back to the child. A dropped bottle or “sippy-cup” is especially a problem in a car where the child is in a car seat and the cup is dropped to the seat or floor of the car. The driver, if there is no other help in the car, will have to reach back and “feel around” to locate the cup or article. This could be distracting to the driver.  
         [0007]     Another situation where the invention is helpful is where a child is in a baby stroller and drops the cup or bottle on the ground. Perhaps the parent or guardian will notice the dropped cup and pick it up. Or perhaps the dropped cup will not be noticed and lost in a parking lot, along a sidewalk, or in a mall.  
         [0008]     Similar scenarios involve such things a cell phones, water bottles, iPods, tools, articles of clothing, and the like (any item that can be secured in the article holding sleeve) carried by persons that may drop or dislodge them and not even realize that the item has been dropped.  
         [0009]     Thus it is an object of this invention to provide a device that can be attached to an apparatus or secure anchor or host element, the device having an apparatus restraint and a tether to allow the device to be attached a host element.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to make the device out of a single piece of material. One aspect of this object is that the device can be made inexpensively as it will not require significant assemble, construction or sewing.  
         [0011]     One more object of the invention is to provide a device that is flexible so that items of different shapes, sizes and uses are accommodated by the device. Thus unique configurations for similar items of varying shapes are not needed as various shapes can be accommodated by one configuration of the device.  
         [0012]     It is also an object of the invention to provide a device that is constructed of pliable material, such as a rubber-like material, rather than unyielding material such as a metallic leash for a similar purpose.  
         [0013]     Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be attached to a host apparatus, such as but not limited to, a stroller, highchair, car seat, wheelchair, riding toy or machine, or the like; to restrain an article attached to the device proximate to a person secure on the host apparatus.  
         [0014]     One further object of the invention is to make the device in that is washable, colorful and inexpensive to manufacture.  
         [0015]     The preferred embodiments of the invention presented here are described below in the specification and shown in the drawing figures. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. If any other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, the specification will clearly state and define the special meaning. In particular, most words commonly have a generic meaning. If I intend to limit or otherwise narrow the generic meaning, I will use specific descriptive adjectives to do so. Absent the use of special adjectives, it is my intent that the terms in this specification and claims be given their broadest possible, generic meaning.  
         [0016]     Likewise, the use of the words “function,” “means,” or “step” in the specification or claims is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a view of the article restraint device without an article in place;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a view of the article shown in  FIG. 1  with a container located in the device;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and having a loop formed integral with the tether of the article restraint device;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a portion of the tether with a slit that will allow attachment to a secure mounting location;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view of the device formed from a single tube of flexible-foam material. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the device. In this figure the device includes a article restraint, generally  10 , having three main elements. An article holding sleeve  12  is formed as a continuous web of material into a short, pliable, elastic tube-like structure. It can be a seamless or seamed tube generally of round cross-section in one embodiment. It can also be a non-round tubular structure, such as a square cross-section tube, a triangular cross-section tube, an oval cross-section tube, a flattened tubular cross-sectioned structure, or the like. The concept is that it will be an elastic structure, in one embodiment it is a flexible-foam like material, such as neoprene, that will surround and grasp an article placed inside the structure.  
         [0024]     A tether  14  or strap is attached or is integrally formed at one end to the article holding sleeve. In one embodiment the tether or strap is integral with, that is, it is one piece with the sleeve  12 . This could be easily done if the article is cut from a tube of material or if the article restraint is molded as a one-piece item. This embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , would be similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2  except there would be no stitching attaching the tether to the sleeve, as it would be a one-piece structure.  
         [0025]     In another embodiment the attachment of the tether to the sleeve may be an adhesive attachment, a sewn attachment, a fused attachment or a mechanical tab and slot attachment, or the like.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the invention. In this figure the tether is attached to the article holding sleeve by locating the first end of the tether adjacent an inside wall of the article holding sleeve and stitching it in place as shown by the stitch lines such as  16 . Stitching would be optional if the first end of the tether was adhesively affixed to the sleeve. Of course the first end of the tether could just as easily be stitched, or otherwise attached, to the outside of the article holding sleeve.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment of the invention there is a loop  18  formed at the end of the tether. It can be a continuous loop of material integral with the tether such that there is no stitching, snap, hook and loop attachment, or the like used in forming the loop. One embodiment of such a design is shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0028]     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the loop  18  is formed in the second end of the tether. It is the bitter end of the tether folded back over itself and stitched, such as at junction  20 , or otherwise fastened to an intermediate section  22  of the tether. Any type of fastener, as an alternative to stitching shown at junction  20 , such as a loop and hook fastener, a snap fastener, a buckle fastener, or the like, may be used to form and maintain the loop in the second end, generally  24 , of the tether.  
         [0029]     The tether may be tapered along its length as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  or, alternatively the tether can be of a constant or an undulating width.  
         [0030]     The fabric of the invention, in one embodiment, is a thin neoprene or neoprene-like web, similar to wetsuit material. In one embodiment the neoprene is 2 mm thick, but may be thicker or thinner depending on the color, pattern, or salient design considerations. Neoprene fabric is strong, flexible, returns to shape readily and is easy to work with, fabricate, sew, and glue if desired. It is expected that the article holding sleeve is neoprene and the tether and loop is the same material, perhaps even being cut from the same piece of flat or tubular shaped material. This allows the tether to stretch and flex in a user friendly and familiar way. However, the tether can be made of a material different from the article holding sleeve and still function extremely well in fulfilling one of the objectives of the invention.  
         [0031]     The operation and function of the device is apparent from looking at  FIG. 2 . Here an article, in this case a sippy-cup  22 , “sippy-cup” being a moniker for a cup used by infants that is generally spill-proof, is inserted into the article holding sleeve, which has flexed or stretched to conform to the contour of the sippy-cup. The tether  14 , through the loop  18  is attached to an anchor, such as, but not limited to, a safety strap or lap belts on a car seat, a strap on a baby carrier, a wheel chair, a hook or attachment point on a grocery cart, or onto any point that will enable the restrained article to remain in proximity to the child, person or location desired by the custodian. The loop could even pass over the hand or foot of the child and encircle the child&#39;s wrist or ankle. If a snap, loop and hook, or other type of removable fastener is used to form the loop, the second or bitter end of the tether could be treaded through an aperture or around an object and be refastened to secure the tether to the anchor object. Furthermore, if the tether is neoprene, it is flexible enough to allow the article holding sleeve portion to pass through the loop after positioning the tether around an anchor object to make a secure connection.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of the invention wherein the loop at the second end of the tether is formed in the tether itself by cutting a hole  26  in the tether. This enables the article restraint device to be hooked on or over a secure element or, alternatively, allows the sleeve  12  to be threaded through the hole  26  after the tether is directed around an anchoring element such as a strut or frame member of a chair, carriage, seat belt or similar anchor providing elements.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  provides another embodiment. In this embodiment a slit  30  is cut through the second end of the tether and this slit can be used as the opening through which a hook or other projection passes to anchor the article restraint device. As discussed with respect to  FIG. 3 , the sleeve  12  can be threaded through the slit  28  after the tether is directed around an anchoring element such as a strut or frame member of a chair, carriage, seat belt or similar anchor providing element.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is presented to show that the device can be formed without stitching or fasteners. In this embodiment the device would be cut out of a tube of flexible-foam material such that the article holding sleeve remains a section of the tube. The tether and second end of the tether is from the same piece of tube as the sleeve. This configuration is effective in minimizing hand work to complete the device. In order to conserve materials the layout of devices on the tube before they are cut out would be studied to minimize the amount of selvage generated by cutting the device out from a tube in one piece. It may be more efficient to have more than one component making up the device. This could be a section of a tube for the sleeve and a second element making up the tether and loop as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0035]     In summary one embodiment of the invention is a device providing restraint of an article such as, but not limited to, an infant bottle or drink cup for infants. The device comprises a tether of flexible-foam type material, such as, but not limited to, neoprene, the tether having a first end and a second end. An article holding sleeve of flexible-foam type material is in communication with the tether at the first end of the tether while a loop is in communication with the second end of the tether.  
         [0036]     In another embodiment of the invention a device for accomplishing the restraint of an article comprises a flexible-foam type material article holding sleeve; a tether extending from the article holding sleeve, the tether of flexible-foam type material having a first end and a second end; a loop in communication with the tether, the loop positioned at the second end of the tether. In this embodiment the flexible-foam type material of the tether is similar to, or could be of, the same material as the flexible-foam type material of the article holding sleeve. Likewise the loop can be made of flexible-foam type material similar to, or identical to, the flexible-foam type material of the tether. It is known that so called “neoprene” is a good flexible-foam type material and thus the article holding sleeve, the tether and the loop can be of neoprene material.  
         [0037]     On further embodiment of the article restraint is cut out from a single tubular piece of flexible-foam type material. That is, the device comprises the holding sleeve, the tether and the loop all formed from a single tubular shaped piece of flexible-foam like material such as neoprene.  
         [0038]     The inventors believe there are many nuances of the design that can make the basic invention even more desirable, for instance, text can be printed on the fabric to inform readers of various information and designs can be printed on the fabric for appearances, just to mention several nuances of the invention contemplated by the inventor. Since one of the preferred fabrics is neoprene flexible-foam type material, this material will provide some degree of flotation and thus may slow down the sinking of a contained object. This material is also somewhat easy to cut, as contrasted to nylon webbing or a leather strap, for instance.