Abstract:
An infant exercise cushion including a substantially rigid core element preferably in the form of a hollow pipe. A soft resilient material surrounds a substantial portion of the core element. The soft resilient material forms a curved outer surface for the cushion so that the cushion may be rolled on the floor when there is interface between the infant and the cushion.

Description:
RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
   This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/426,020 filed Nov. 12, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to cushions for use by infants and more particularly relates to cushions for use by infants to increase upper body strength. 
   In 1992 the American Academy of Pediatrics implemented a nationwide campaign titled “Back to Sleep.” The Back to Sleep campaign was designed to decrease the occurrences of sudden-infant death syndrome due to infants sleeping in the prone position and to encourage parents to place infants on their backs for sleeping. The Back to Sleep campaign has successfully led to a 40% reduction in sudden-infant-death syndrome. However, one negative factor of infants sleeping on their backs has been the delayed development of their upper body gross motor skills, specifically crawling. 
   Cylindrical and wedge-shaped cushions have heretofore been utilized as props for infant floor play. U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,853 issued to Linge shows a cushion for supporting an infant which enables the development of muscular strength and motor coordination. The Linge cushion is in the shape of a solid rectangle with a hollowed-out portion to receive the baby&#39;s torso. The Linge cushion also includes storage compartments for storing toys, diapers, and other baby related materials. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,585 issued to Fery shows a spherical device used to support a baby to alleviate abdominal pain. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided an infant exercise cushion, including a substantially rigid core element. A soft resilient material surrounds a substantial portion of said core element. The soft resilient material forms a curved outer surface for the cushion so that the cushion may be rolled on the floor when there is interaction between the infant and the cushion. 
   In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a device for enabling an infant to exercise his upper torso, including an elongated cushion. The cushion is in the shape of a cylinder. The cushion is made, at least in part, of a soft resilient material. The cushion includes first and second ends and a hollow cavity extending from the first end to the second end so that certain infant related items may be readily placed in the hollow cavity. 
   In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a method for exercising the upper torso of an infant utilizing a cushion, including a substantially rigid core element and a soft resilient material surrounding a substantial portion of the core element. The soft resilient material forms a curved outer surface for the cushion. The method includes the steps of: placing the cushion on a substantially flat surface; placing the front mid-section of the infant on the curved outer surface of the cushion; permitting the infant&#39;s hands to contact the flat surface; permitting the infant to roll the cushion, thereby exercising his upper torso. 
   In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a method for exercising the upper torso of an infant utilizing an elongated cushion which is in the shape of a cylinder. The cushion is made, at least in part, of a soft resilient material. The cushion includes first and second ends and a hollow cavity extending from the first end to the second end so that certain infant related items may be readily placed in the hollow cavity. The method includes the steps of: placing the cushion on a substantially flat surface; placing the front mid-section of the infant on the curved outer surface of the cushion; permitting the infant&#39;s hands to contact the flat surface; permitting the infant to roll the cushion, thereby exercising his upper torso. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is set forth in the appended claims. The invention, however, can be better understood taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the infant roll cushion showing one embodiment of the subject invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing use of the cushion by an infant; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing an adult assisting an infant in the use of the cushion. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The infant roll cushion of the present invention is designed to promote the development of infant upper body strength while providing incentive for the infant to explore the environment from a different perspective. In addition, the infant roll cushion enables the storage therein of infant related materials such as mats, toys, diapers and other items. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , there is provided a cylindrically shaped infant roll cushion  10  including a substantially rigid core element which may be hollow plastic pipe core  12  which is received inside of hollow cavity  13  of cushion  10  and runs along the longitudinal axis of the cushion. Pipe  12  is preferably made of PVC. A thick soft resilient material such as foam rubber  14  substantially covers pipe  12  so that cushion  10  has a curved outer surface. Fabric  16  covers the foam rubber  14 . The hollow plastic pipe  12  performs a dual function. The pipe gives rigidity and strength for the cylindrical cushion and also provides for a hollowed-out region  18  so that one can store useful materials such as a mat, diapers, toys and the like which can also be utilized by the infant. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , preferably end caps  20  and  22  are provided to cover the first and second end openings  23  and  25  in the hollow pipe  12  so that items that are placed within space  18  will remain in that space during use. The end caps may include annular lips  24  and  26  which engage the inside annular surface of pipe  12  in a substantially interference fit. Alternatively the lips  24  and  26  may be threaded and the portion of the inside surface of the pipe near its ends may be corresponding threaded. 
   Preferably the cushion  10  is approximately 24 inches in length and approximately 8 inches in diameter. Also preferably the cushion is cylindrical in shape. In addition is preferred that the hollow plastic pipe  12  be approximately 4 inches in diameter. Also it is preferred that the resilient material  14  be foam rubber and be approximately 2 inches in thickness. The foam should completely cover the hollow plastic pipe so the rigid pipe will not tend to come in contact with the infant. If a floor mat is to be stored inside of the hollow space  18 , it may be color coordinated with or substantially the same as the color of the fabric cover  16  which covers foam rubber  14 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates infant  28  utilizing his own ability to push himself in a back and forth motion utilizing his own foot and arm power and thereby exercising his upper torso. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an adult  30  stimulating the infant&#39;s physical awareness by holding the infant&#39;s legs in a secure manner. The infant&#39;s upper body is draped over the cushion  10 . The physical and consequentially the visual stimulation of this exercise will provide the means necessary to promote the development of the infant&#39;s upper torso. 
   Infant roll cushion  10 , which is described above, may be used as follows: Cushion  10  is placed on a substantially flat surface. The front mid-section of the infant is placed on the curved outer surface of the cushion. The adult  30  permits the hands of infant  28  to contact the flat surface. The adult  30  then permits the infant to roll the cushion using his arms and thereby exercising his upper torso. 
   Thus there is provided an infant roll cushion which not only promotes the development of upper body strength while providing incentive to explore one&#39;s environment from a different perspective, it also includes a convenient storage container for infant related items such as floor mats, toys and the like. 
   From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It will be understood that this embodiment of the invention is an exemplification of the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto.