Patent Publication Number: US-10323789-B2

Title: Infant item holder

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/556,784, filed Sep. 10, 2009, entitled “Infant Item Holder.” The &#39;784 application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present application is directed to an infant item holder and, more particularly, to an infant item holder that includes an elongated member that attaches to one or more infant items. 
     Infants often play with and use various items that occupy their attention. Examples of infant items include but are not limited to pacifiers, toys, rattles, and teethers. These items are designed for infants to view, grasp, hold in their hands, and possibly even put into their mouth. There are many opportunities for the infant to use these items including when they are in a crib, infant carrier, stroller, and car seat. 
     A problem occurs when the infant drops the item and it moves out of view and/or out of reach. This often occurs due to the infant&#39;s inability to adequately hold the item, and may also be compounded by the infant&#39;s limited attention span. Losing the item is problematic for the infant who often becomes upset and begins crying. This is also problematic for parents who do not want their infant to become upset. It is particularly frustrating for parents when they are busy and unable to continually retrieve the item. 
     Prior devices have been developed that attach to an infant item. However, these items are not effective in maintaining an item within the infant&#39;s reach and/or view. These devices are often developed to prevent losing the item, but not for an item to remain in view and/or reach of the infant. Further, the devices may still require intervention from a parent who must grab the device and/or item and retrieve it for the infant. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application is directed to an infant item holder for holding one or more infant items. The infant item holder may include a base with a passage. The infant item holder may also include an elongated member that is longer than the passage and includes first and second ends. The elongated member may be positioned in the passage with the first end extending from a first side of the passage and the second end extending from a second side of the passage. The elongated member may be movably positioned within the passage and adjustable between a first orientation with the first end in closer proximity to the base than the second end, and a second orientation with the second end in closer proximity to the base than the first end. Infant items may be positioned at the ends of the elongated member. A first infant item may be positioned in proximity to an infant in the first orientation, and a second infant item may be positioned in proximity to the infant in the second orientation. 
     The various aspects of the various embodiments may be used alone or in any combination, as is desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of an infant item holder positioned relative to an infant. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an infant item holder. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of an infant item holder in a first orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the infant item holder of  FIG. 3  in a second orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of a base according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of an infant item holder positioned relative to an infant. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an embodiment of an infant item holder positioned relative to an infant. 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a connector and a detached infant item according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a connector and a detached infant item according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the connector and a detached infant item of  FIG. 11  rotated about 90 degrees. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application is directed to a holder that positions one or more infant items within arms reach and/or sight of an infant.  FIG. 1  includes an infant item holder  10  that includes an elongated member  30  that extends through a passage  40  in a base  20 . A first item  101  is attached to a first end  31  of the elongated member  30  and a second item  102  is attached to a second end  32  of the elongated member  30 . The base  20  is attached to an object in vicinity to an infant such that the infant may see, reach, and pull one of the items  101 ,  102  down to themselves. The act of pulling one of the items  101 ,  102  causes the elongated member  30  to move through the passage  40  as the chosen item is pulled towards the infant. Movement of the elongated member  30  causes the non-chosen item to be moved towards the base  20  to be visible to the infant. The infant item holder  10  maintains at least one of the items  101 ,  102  within sight and reach of the infant. 
     The base  20  includes a body through which the passage  40  extends. The base  20  may include various shapes, sizes, and configurations.  FIG. 1  generally includes the base  20  with opposing first and second sides  21 ,  22 . The base  20  may also include one or more additional sides  25 .  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4  each include the base  20  with a U-shape with first and second ends  21 ,  22  that both face towards the infant.  FIG. 6  includes a smaller base  20  with ends  21 ,  22  that do not face towards the infant. In one embodiment, the base  20  is tubular and forms an elongated hollow cylinder. In one embodiment, the base  20  may be a rigid armature. 
     The base  20  may include an aesthetically pleasing decorative feature  24 . The decorative feature  24  may include a decorative cover such as a plush toy animal or the like. In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the decorative feature  24  includes a cover that extends over the base  20  and has the appearance of an animal with first and second arms that give the appearance that the animal is holding the elongated member  30  and attached items  101 ,  102 . The decorative feature  24  may also be positioned on just a limited section of the body  20 , such as a side  25  that faces the infant.  FIG. 7  includes the decorative feature  24  having the appearance of a monkey, although various other animals, cartoon characters, shapes, etc. may be used. The base  20  may also be formed to integrally include the decorative feature  24  (i.e., there is no separate cover). One embodiment includes the base  20  molded to include a shape of an animal. 
     The base  20  may also include an attachment member  23  to attach the infant item holder  10  to a mounting structure  110 .  FIG. 2  includes a coiled attachment member  23  that may be wrapped around the mounting structure  110 .  FIG. 6  includes the attachment member  23  as a strap that wraps around the mounting structure  110 . The strap may include VELCRO for adjustment and provide a secure attachment to the mounting structure  110 . Various other attachment members  23  may be used, including but not limited to one or more apertures sized to receive a fastener such as a bolt, and one or more adhesive strips, clips, or clamps. The mounting structure  110  may include a variety of items including but not limited to a crib, infant carrier, stroller, bouncy seat, and car seat. 
     The passage  40  extends through the base  20  and is sized to receive the elongated member  30 . The passage  40  includes first and second ends  41 ,  42 , and may include a variety of configurations including but not limited to being substantially straight as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , and curved as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 . The length of the passage  40  measured between the first and second ends  41 ,  42  may vary depending upon the size and shape of the base  20 . The width measured between opposing sidewalls  43  may be constant along the length, or may vary along the length. In one embodiment, the width of one or both of the first and second ends  41 ,  42  is smaller than a remainder of the passage  40  to prevent or reduce the likelihood that one of the ends  31 ,  32  of the elongated member  30  may inadvertently be pulled into the passage  40 . 
     The passage  40  may extend through an entirety of the base  20 .  FIGS. 1 and 6  each include the passage  40  extending through an entirety of the base  20 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  include another similar structure with the passage  40  extending through the base  20 . The passage  40  may also extend through a limited section of the base  20 .  FIG. 5  includes the passage  40  extending through a limited section of the base  20  with the first and second ends  41 ,  42  being in close proximity. 
     The passage  40  may also be formed on an exterior  26  of the base  20 .  FIG. 2  includes a series of straps  27  that are attached to the exterior  26  of the base  20  to form the passage  40 . The straps  27  extend over and maintain the elongated member  30  on the exterior  26 . The number and shape of the straps  27  may vary. Each of the straps  27  may be the same, or two or more may include different shapes and/or sizes. One embodiment includes the passage formed by a single strap  27 . 
     The elongated member  30  is sized to extend through the passage  40  and connect to each of the infant items  101 ,  102 . The elongated member  30  includes a first end  31  and an opposing second end  32 . A length of the elongated member  30  measured between the first and second ends  31 ,  32  is greater than a length of the passage  40 . This sizing provides for at least one of the ends  31 ,  32  to remain within reach of the infant. The elongated member  30  may be constructed from various materials, including but not limited to string, ribbon, spring, and cord. The elongated member  30  may also be constructed from combinations of two or more of the materials. An intermediate section that contacts against the sidewalls  43  of the passage  40  may be constructed of a first material that avoids abrasion or other-like weakening, and each of the ends may be constructed of a different material. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , positioners  33  may be attached to the elongated member  30 . Each positioner  33  is larger than the size of the passage end  41 ,  42  where it is attached. The positioners  33  prevent certain sections of the elongated member  30  from moving into the passage  40 . The positioners  33  may be positioned at the ends  31 ,  32  of the elongated member  30  to prevent the ends  31 ,  32  from moving into the passage  40 . The positioners  33  may also be positioned inward from the ends  31 ,  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . This positioning provides for the ends  31 ,  32  to remain in the vicinity of the infant to ensure the infant items  101 ,  102  remain within sight and reach. 
       FIG. 1  includes two positioners  33  attached to the elongated member  30  with a first positioner  33  positioning the first end  31  relative to the base  20  and the second positioner  33  positioning the second end  32  relative to the base  20 . The device  10  may also include a single positioner  33  attached to the elongated member  30  to position one side of the elongated member  30 . 
     The positioner  33  may include various configurations. Positioner  33  may include a knot in the elongated member  30  that is larger than the ends  31 ,  32 . The positioner  33  may also include a separate member that is fixedly attached to the elongated member  30 . One embodiment includes a block with a central aperture that receives the elongated member  30 . In embodiments with multiple positioners  33 , the positioners  33  may be the same or different. 
     The infant items  101 ,  102  are attached to the ends  41 ,  42  of the elongated member  30 . The infant items  101 ,  102  may be the same, or may be different. A variety of different infant items  101 ,  102  may be accommodated, such as pacifiers as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 and 6-7 . Other infant items  101 ,  102  that may be attached to the ends  41 ,  42  include toys, rattles, and teethers. The width of the items  101 ,  102  may be larger than the width of the ends  41 ,  42  to prevent the items  101 ,  102  and the ends  31 ,  32  of the elongated member  30  from being moved into the passage  40 . An infant item  101 ,  102  may be attached to each end  31 ,  32  of the elongated member  30 , or to just one end of the elongated member  30 . 
     One or more connectors  50  may be attached to the ends  41 ,  42  to connect the elongated member  30  to the one or more infant items  101 ,  102 .  FIGS. 8-12  illustrate one embodiment of a connector  50 . The connector  50  includes a connective section  51 , a transitional section  52 , and a mounting section  53 . In one embodiment, the connector  50  is an integrally molded elastomeric component. The connector  50  may be flexible, allowing it to flex and stretch to receive and secure the infant item  101 ,  102 . 
     The connective section  51  includes an opening  54  for receiving an end  31  or  32  of the elongated member  30 . The opening  54  leads into an interior space  59  that is larger than the opening  54 . The structure provides for the end  31  or  32  to be threaded through the opening  54  and into the interior space  59 . The end  31  or  32  may be knotted, tied to the infant item  101 ,  102 , or otherwise secured to prevent escape back out through the opening  54 . 
     The transitional section  52  extends between the connective section  51  and the mounting section  53 . The transitional section  52  may include various structures, including one or more arms. The transitional section  52  may also provide a space that receives a portion of the infant item  101 ,  102 . 
     The mounting section  53  provides for attachment of the infant item  101 ,  102 . The mounting section  53  includes a mount  56  that forms an opening  55  sized to receive the infant item  101 ,  102 . The mount  56  may completely or partly extend around the opening  55 . One or more cut-outs  57  extending into an inner edge of the mount  56  and are in communication with the opening  55 . The cut-outs are sized to receive the infant item  101 ,  102 . One or more additional openings  58  may also extend through the mount  56 . In one embodiment, the mounting section  53  is substantially planar. 
     In one embodiment, the connector  50  is configured to hold a pacifier. The connector  50  positions the pacifier so that the nipple is colinear with the elongated member  30  allowing it to be in a proper position for the infant&#39;s mouth. 
     Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description. 
     As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.