Abstract:
A baby walking aid system for training infants to walk. A chest harness is worn around the child&#39;s torso and two support straps are attached to the top of the harness. The support straps serve as handles to aid in the child&#39;s balance while walking. The harness is divided at the back with a fastener attached for securing the harness. The device may be used to support the child&#39;s balance while learning to walk or alternatively may be used to carry the child.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
       1. Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of child harnesses, and more specifically relates to a baby walking aid system. 
       2. Description of Related Art 
       [0003]    A child harness is a safety restraint for walking with children. The device is mostly used with toddlers and children of preschool age, and typically consists of a shoulder harness with a lead secured in the back, either directly or by means of a hook. When the device is used, a child wears the harness and a parent or a guardian holds the end of the lead or attaches it to their wrist. This allows the child relative freedom of movement in comparison to being seated in a stroller, carried by the adult, or being held by the hand. At the same time, the child harness prevents child separation from the adult by the way of the child running off in a crowded or dangerous area. Some child harnesses may be specialized for specific tasks, such as teaching a child to walk. A suitable solution is desired whereby a harness-style device is multi-functional. 
         [0004]    Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0136931 to Teresa Woodman and Lisa Raper, U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0221818 to Ines Rother and Hillary Chierici, and U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0070798 to Greg and Karolin DiCristina. This art is representative of baby harnesses. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0005]    Preferably, a baby walking aid system should provide a means for walking training and lifting the user-wearer when desired, and yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable baby walking aid system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known child harness art, the present invention provides a novel baby walking aid system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a baby walking aid system that provides a means for walking training and lifting the user-wearer, as desired. 
         [0007]    The present invention describes a child harness with a structure to support a child learning to walk. One or two adults may support the child by holding the two top straps of the walking aid and allowing the child to step forward. This allows the child to learn to walk while the child&#39;s balance is maintained by the adults holding the handles of the walking aid. Additionally, the walking aid may be used to simply pick up and carry the child, using the top straps as carry handles. 
         [0008]    The walking aid system combines a fabric chest harness with two fabric support straps. The chest harness encircles the child&#39;s torso under the arms and is split at the back and secured with a fastener, which may comprise a VELCRO® strip or other means of engagement. The harness is quickly removable by simply parting the harness at the back and removing the harness from the front. The support straps attach to the top of the chest harness at the shoulders on either side at both the front and rear so that the child&#39;s weight is evenly supported under the child&#39;s arms when lifted. The straps are long enough to be comfortably held or lifted by an adult while the child is standing. 
         [0009]    A baby walking aid system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a baby walking aid assembly having at least one right-side strap (having a right-side top surface, a right-side bottom surface, a right-side front end, and right-side back end), at least one left-side strap (having a left-side top surface, a left-side bottom surface, a left-side front end, and a left-side back end), at least one harness (having an outer face, an inner face, a right end, and a left end); and at least one fastener having a right-side fastening member, and a left-side fastening member. 
         [0010]    The baby walking aid system comprises a baby walking aid assembly, wherein the baby walking aid assembly comprises the right-side strap, the left-side strap, harness, and the fastener in functional combination. The right-side strap is defined by the right-side top surface, the right-side bottom surface, the right-side front end, and the right-side back end. The right-side strap comprises a right-side bight handle, wherein the right-side front end of the right-side strap is stitched to the inside face of the harness, and the right-side back end of the right-side strap is stitched to the inside face of the right-side strap, being attached perpendicular to the harness. The front end of the right-side strap and the back end of the right-side strap are parallel to each other. 
         [0011]    The left-side strap is defined by the left-side top surface, the left-side bottom surface, the left-side front end, and the left-side back end. The left-side strap comprises a left-side bight handle, wherein the left-side front end of the left-side strap is stitched to the inside face of the harness, and the left-side back end of the left-side strap is stitched to the inside face of the harness, being attached perpendicular to the harness. The at least one harness is defined by the outer face, the inside face, the right end, and the left end, wherein the front end of the left-side strap and the back end of the left-side strap are parallel to each other, and the right-side strap and the left-side strap are parallel to each other. 
         [0012]    The inner face of the harness comprises a circular inner volume around the infant and outer face of the harness comprises a circular outer surface around the infant. The fastener is defined by the right-side fastening member, and the left-side fastening member, which are able to couple and uncouple from each other. The right-side fastening member of the fastener is stitched to the inside face of the right end of the harness; the left-side fastening member of the fastener is stitched to the outside face of the left end of the harness. The right-side strap and the left-side strap are each attached symmetrically to a front side of the inner face and a rear side of the inner face of the harness, which is structured and arranged to support an infant. The right-side fastening member and the left-side fastening member of the fastener are detachably connectable about the infant. The baby walking aid system is useful for training the infant to walk, and alternately for carrying the infant. 
         [0013]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a baby walking aid system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, baby walking aid systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a baby walking aid system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing the baby walking aid assembly during walking periods, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view illustrating the baby walking aid system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing the baby walking aid assembly during walking periods, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the baby walking aid assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the baby walking aid assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the baby walking aid systems, according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the baby walking aid systems, according to another embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a child harness and more particularly to a baby walking aid system as used to improve the child harness. 
         [0023]    Generally speaking, the baby walking aid system comprises a chest harness and two support straps. The chest harness snugly encircles the child&#39;s girth area and the support straps are held taut by an adult. The harness may be made of a cloth material which flexibly covers the entire torso. The straps support the full weight of the child at the shoulders where they are attached to the chest harness perpendicular to the body of the harness. Each strap has two ends which are attached alternatively to the front and back of the harness. Attachment of the support straps may be realized, where the support is stitched directly to the harness material down the full height of the harness. Each strap end is stitched lengthwise on either side of the strap from the top to the bottom of the harness. When the harness is in use each strap forms a looped handle for grasping, with the inside surface of the strap remaining flat through the length of the curve. The outside surface of the strap is mated to the inside surface of the harness on both sides. Two detachably connectable fastening members are stitched to either end of the chest harness and secured together where the ends of the harness meet. The right side of the fastening member is stitched to the inside face of the harness, while the left side fastening member is stitched to the outside face of the harness. Each fastening member is centered on the back of the harness. When fastened the harness completes a circle around the girth of the infant under the arms. 
         [0024]    In an alternative embodiment, the chest harness comprises two separate lengths of cloth which are attached end to end with two elastic bands at either side. The elastic bands are stretchable to allow the harness to be worn by the child and held securely in place. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a harness worn around the waist. The harness encircles the loins containing two apertures for the child&#39;s legs to be passed through, and is to be worn like a diaper. Two carry straps are attached to the waist of the harness, and can be used both for balancing the child while walking and for carrying the child. 
         [0026]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  various views of baby walking aid system  100  comprising baby walking aid assembly  110  including at least one right-side strap  112  (having right-side top surface  114 , right-side bottom surface  116 , right-side front end  118 , and right-side back end  120 ); at least one left-side strap  122  (having left-side top surface  124 , left-side bottom surface  126 , left-side front end  128 , and left-side back end  130 ); at least one harness  141  having outer face  142 , inner face  144 , right end  146 , and left end  148 ; and at least one fastener  132  having right-side fastening member  134 , and left-side fastening member  136  in preferred embodiments. 
         [0027]    Baby walking aid system comprises right-side strap  112 , left-side strap  122 , harness  141 , and fastener  132  in functional combination. Right-side strap  112  is defined by right-side top surface  114 , right-side bottom surface  116 , right-side front end  118 , and right-side back end  120 . The left-side strap  122  is defined by left-side top surface  124 , left-side bottom surface  126 , left-side front end  128 , and left-side back end  130 . Harness  141  is defined by outer face  142 , inside face  144 , right end  146 , and left end  148 . Fastener  132  is defined by right-side fastening member  134  and left-side fastening member  136 , which are able to couple and uncouple from each other. Right-side strap  112  and left-side strap  122  are each attached symmetrically to the front side of inner face  144  and the rear side of inner face  144  of harness  141 . Harness  141  is structured and arranged to support an infant  140 . Right-side fastening member  134  and left-side fastening member  136  of fastener  132  are detachably connectable about infant  140 . Baby walking aid system  100  is useful for training infant  140  to walk, and alternately for carrying infant  140 . 
         [0028]    Baby walking aid system  100  includes at least one right-side strap  112  comprising a right-side bight handle, and at least one left-side strap  122  comprising a left-side bight handle. Right-side front end  118  of right-side strap  112  is preferably stitched to inner face  144  of harness  141 , and right-side back end  120  of at least one right-side strap  112  is preferably stitched to inner face  144  of harness  141 . Other fastening means may be used. Left-side front end  128  of left-side strap  122  is preferably stitched to inner face  144  of harness  141 , and left-side back end  130  of left-side strap  122  is preferably stitched to inner face  144  of harness  141 . Right-side fastening member  134  of fastener  132  is preferably stitched to inner face  144  of right end  146  of harness  141  and left-side fastening member  136  of fastener  132  is preferably stitched to outer face  142  of left end  148  of harness  141 . Other fastening means may be used. 
         [0029]    When attached around infant  140 , the inner face  144  of harness  141  comprises a circular inner volume, and the outer face  142  of harness  141  comprises a circular outer surface. Right-side strap  112  and left-side strap  122  are attached perpendicular to harness  141 , and are parallel to each other. Right-side strap  112 , left-side strap  122 , and harness  141  preferably comprise fabric. Other suitably equivalent materials may be used. 
         [0030]    Baby walking aid systems  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different fastening/coupling combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for baby walking aid systems  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 : placing inner face  144  of harness  141  around infant  140 ; step two  502 : coupling right-side fastening member  134  with left-side fastening member  136 ; step three  503 : applying upward pressure on right-side strap  112  and left-side strap  122 ; and step four  504 : encouraging infant  140  to attempt walking. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , showing a flowchart illustrating another method of use for the baby walking aid systems  100 , according to another embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . The alternative method of using a baby walking aid system  510  may comprise the steps of: step one  511 : placing inner face  144  of harness  141  around infant  140 ; step two  512 : coupling right-side fastening member  134  with left-side fastening member  136 ; step three  513 : lifting infant  140  by right-side strap  112  and left-side strap  122 ; and step four  514 : carrying infant  140  to at least one destination in an elevated position. In certain embodiments, the steps of method  510  may be combined, all or in part, with the steps of method  500 . 
         [0033]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0034]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.