Patent Publication Number: US-7896297-B1

Title: Baby accessory leash

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/432,458 filed May 11, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,125. 
     In the parent application, Applicant claimed priority of provisional patent application 60/681,331 filed May 13, 2005, provisional patent application 60/684,662 filed May 25, 2005, and 60/692,693 filed Jun. 20, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the (many) difficulties in traveling with infants and young children, is keeping them entertained. If the child is hungry or thirsty, often a toy, bottle or sippy cup will serve to provide the parent(s) a brief respite from the vocal displeasure of a cranky passenger. All too often, however, the solution to the crabbiness problem becomes, instead, a problem in itself. The baby repeatedly drops the drink/liquid-food container or toy requiring the non-driving parent to unfasten their seat belt and lean over the seat-back to gain access to the container or toy which is, doubtlessly, rolling around on the floor in the least reachable location possible. This procedure is both aggravating and difficult for even the most well-conditioned parent, as well as a distraction to the driver. Should there be only a single adult in the vehicle, the maneuver, to be properly and safely done, requires stopping the vehicle by the roadside to afford the driver free hands to access the dropped item. Depending on the traffic flow and neighborhood of the mishap, this technique may not be all that safe, either. An equally aggravating, if generally safer, time awaits the parent pushing a stroller through the mall with the added complication that the dropped item may go undetected for a number of stores. 
     Several attempts at dealing with this situation have appeared in the patent literature. Some of these developments ease the parent&#39;s difficulty of locating the container: they need merely follow the string which is tied to the car seat to its end and, voila!, there&#39;s the baby&#39;s bottle. However, the retrieval still requires the non-driving parent (if any) to unfasten their seat belt and rummage around in the back seat to restore the drink container to the child. Another problem which arises with some of the available bottle suspenders is that the shoulder strap connections and the bottle attachments can both be tampered with. When the child has drunk her/his fill and is looking for an alternate form of entertainment, these disconnectable devices provide an all-too-ready “toy”, defeating this supposed solution to the “bottle drop” problem. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a leash system for a bottle/beverage container which 1) maintains the bottle within easy reach of the child and, 2) can be easily converted to tether a toy, binky or the like. This is accomplished by having a short (on the order of 3-5 inches) leash which has a first portion that attaches to the seat belt harness or shoulder strap of a stroller and a second detachable portion that suspends the bottle, toy or binky in the area of the child&#39;s chest region. This keeps the item within easy reach should the elusive bottle slip from her/his grasp. In addition, the securement means attaching the leash to the shoulder strap and the latching means attaching the leash to the bottle are child-proof: either the clip is an alligator (suspender) clip, and/or the attachment is enshrouded with a Velcro-secured wrap which makes it tamper-proof. The second detachable portion is attached to the first by a side release clip, a middle release clip, a spring clip, a snap, or a button. Toddlers lack the manual dexterity and finger strength necessary to manipulate such devices and so the clip remains attached. This allows a bottle wrap to be replaced by a toy wrap. It is desirable that the elastic band forming the toy wrap be incorporated into the arms/appendages of a teddy bear or other stuffed animal so that the separated second detachable portion not become a choking hazard. 
     The present invention includes a leash system for a child&#39;s accessory, the leash system comprising a) a strap having a first fabric length with a first and second end; b) a first securement means for attaching the first fabric length to a fixed location, the first securement means comprising a tamper-proof clip; c) a second attachment band secured to the second end of the strap for securely attaching to the child&#39;s accessory; whereby the first securement means and the second attachment band provide a fail-safe leash system for maintaining the child&#39;s accessory within reach of a child. The tamper-proof clip is selected from a group consisting of an alligator clip, a center-release clip, a side release clip, snap hook, spring clip, swivel snap hook, snaps and buttons. Most preferably, the tamper-proof clip is an alligator clip. Also, it is preferred that the second attachment band is adjustable to accommodate different sized articles. This adjustment may take the form of the second attachment band being a stretchable elastic material to accommodate different sized articles. In addition, the length of the strap may have adjustment means allowing its length to be altered. 
     In order to remove the second attachment band from the realm of being a choking hazard, a toy is irremovably attached to the second attachment band should it become disassociated with the strap. The toy preferably comprises a stuffed animal whose arms are integral with the second attachment band. The stuffed animal preferably comprises a teddy bear whose hands may be the two halves of a side release clip or Velcro equipped to wrap around a toy or other article, such as a binky. It will be understood that a) the paws could terminate with side release clips or Velcro fabric strips, b) two pairs of paws could be used to grasp the toy or bottle and, c) that some stuffed animals (i.e., a kangaroo), can provide pouches to receive the article. 
     The leash system for a child&#39;s accessory of the present invention, includes a) first securement means for attaching the leash to a fixed location; b) a first clip securable to the first securement means, the first clip being attached to a first end of a first length of fabric, a first attachment band secured to a second end of the first length of fabric, the first attachment band being adapted to secure a first type of child&#39;s accessory; c) a second clip securable to the first securement means, the second clip being attached to a first end of a second length of fabric, a second attachment band secured to a second end of the second length of fabric, the second attachment band being adapted to secure a second type of child&#39;s accessory; whereby said first and second clips may alternatively be attached to the first securement means to enable the leash system to accommodate multiple types of child accessories. The first securement means includes a second securement means surrounding the first securement means preventing tampering with the first securement means. This second securement means may comprise a padded fabric band to ensure the child&#39;s comfort. The band of the second securement means is retained in a wrapped position by first and second portions of hook-and-loop fabric. 
     Various other features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent after a reading of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is/are described in conjunction with the associated drawings in which like features are indicated with like reference numerals and in which 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention shown attached to a car seat; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed front view of the first embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention with the bottle turned to enhance depicting certain details; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed rear view of the first embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention showing how it attaches to the right shoulder strap; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a first embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial front view of a second embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a partial front view of a third embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a back view of a first embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of a fourth embodiment of the baby bottle leash of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a seventh embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an eighth embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a ninth embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of a tenth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     A first embodiment of the baby bottle leash is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5  generally at  20 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , leash  20  is comprised of a strap  22  which has a length A extending between first end  24  and second end  26 , with a first attachment band  30  secured to first end  24  of strap  22  as by stitching. Strap  20  is made of a non-stretch fabric such as canvas or a woven cotton or nylon, for example. First attachment band  30  has a first securement means in the form of first ( 32 ) and second ( 34 ) portions of hook-and-loop fabric attached as by stitching to opposite ends. Most preferably, first attachment band  30  is padded for the child&#39;s comfort since, as shown in  FIG. 1 , when it is secured to the shoulder harness strap  13  of car seat  11 , it will come in contact with the child&#39;s shoulder/chest region. While it is possible for strap  20  to be constructed to be of adjustable length, it is not regarded as an essential feature of the leash of the present invention since the positioning of the bottle can be controlled by the positioning of the first attachment band on the shoulder harness strap. Strap  20  has an overall length A on the order of 6″ to 8″ providing an effective “dangle length” of 3″ to 5″. It will be understood that these lengths are intended as exemplary and not limiting. The dangle length is defined as the distance between first attachment band  30  and second attachment band  40 . Although the baby bottle leash  20  of the present invention is described in conjunction with a car seat, it will be appreciated that it can also be used with a stroller, play station, layette, high chair, or other device. 
     Confined within first attachment band  30  is an alligator clip  36  which securely fastens to the shoulder harness strap  13  ( FIG. 3 ) and then band  30  is wrapped around the harness strap  13  and the first ( 32 ) and second ( 34 ) hook-and-loop fabric portions engaged to retain it in secured position at the desired location to position the bottle  15  as shown in  FIG. 1 . When so positioned, the bottle may be easily retrieved by the child should he/she momentarily lose his/her grip of it. Clip  36  may be an alligator clip or a suspender clip, with the latter being shown and preferred. By the use of the clip  36  to positively fix the position of the band  30  on the shoulder harness strap  13 , the baby bottle leash cannot slide up or down on the strap  13  thereby mis-positioning the bottle  15 . In addition, while the size of the first ( 32 ) and second ( 34 ) hook-and-loop fabric portions makes the band  30  “tamper-proof” for most children, the redundancy of clip  36  makes the attachment provided by band  30  “failsafe”. 
     A second attachment band  40  is secured to the second lower end  26  of strap  22  as by stitching. Second attachment band  40  has a first latching means in the form of a fabric strip  41  having a length B. It should be noted that the length A of suspension strap  22  does not exceed the length B of fabric strip  41  which secures the bottle  15 . This ensures that the bottle  15  remains within the grasp of the child in the car seat  11 . Fabric strip  41  has a third elongated strip of hook-and-loop fabric  42  sewn (or alternatively secured) on a first end  43  and a fourth elongated strip of hook-and-loop fabric  44  sewn on second opposing end  45 . These elongated lengths of attaching fabric afford the capability to accommodate varying sizes of containers such as bottles, sippy cups, etc. To further enhance this capability, fabric  42  is preferably made of a stretchable material such as SPANDEX fabric, or the like. Stitched (or alternatively secured) to a second side of fabric strip  41 , opposite from first elongated hook-and-loop fabric strip  42 , is a non-slip fabric  46  designed to secure the bottle  15 . Non-slip fabric  46  is preferably elastomeric, being made of rubber or a rubber like material which accommodates the stretching of fabric strip  41 . Alternatively, gripper dots may be applied to the bottle-engaging side of fabric  46  to make it non-slip. By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, first attachment band may measure 3.5″ by 6.25″ and the second attachment band may measure 2.5″ by 11″. 
     Second latching means, in the  FIGS. 4-5  embodiment, comprises a two part, snap-together buckle  50  ( FIG. 2 ) having first male member  52  and second female member  54 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , male member  52  is stitched to an end of elastic  53  and female member  54  is stitched to the end of elastic  55  which is anchored to the end  26  of strap  22 . By using elastics  53 ,  55 , buckle portions  52 ,  54  can be stretched over the outside of fabric  41  after first and second hook-and-loop fabric portions are engaged to secure fabric  41  around bottle  15 . Alternative means of adjustment can be employed if non-elastic fabric is utilized. Second latching means  50  secures first latching means  41  against possible tampering by the child should he/she become bored with the bottle  15 . It is envisioned that other second latching means  50 ′ and  50 ″ shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively, could take the form of center-release clips, snaps and buttons. 
     The second snap embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 4A  with the male snap  36 A′ being mounted on elastic  37 A′ and the female snap  36 B′ mounted on elastic  37 B′.  FIG. 4B  depicts the third button embodiment in which the button  36 A″ is mounted on elastic  37 A″ and the button hole  36 B″ is mounted on elastic  37 B″. The snaps  36 ′ and the buttons  36 ″ work in exactly the same manner as the buckle  36  of the  FIG. 4  embodiment, wrapping around fabric strip  41  to act as a redundant latching means that prevents tampering by the child or other undesired release of bottle  15 . 
     A fourth embodiment of the baby bottle leash is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  generally at  20   a . The operation of this fourth embodiment is substantially identical to that of the first three embodiments. The key differences are in the sizes of the first ( 30   a ) and second ( 40   a ) attachment bands. Again, by way of example and not limitation, first attachment band  30   a  measures 1.875″ by 6.25″ long. This change in size results, not only in a saving of fabric, but makes the first attachment band easier to manipulate. Second attachment band  40  is made of an elastic strap as opposed to SPANDEX fabric and measures 0.75″ by 9″. Additional changes include the reversing of the positions of the male ( 52   a ) and female ( 54   a ) buckle portions and the non-slip fabric  46   a  is reduced in overall length by about 50%, being divided into two lengths which will engage opposing sides of the bottle  15  or other container. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a fifth embodiment generally at  20   b . This embodiment of the baby accessory suspension system  30   b , is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIG. 4 , with first securement means comprising an alligator clip  36   b  that is surrounded by band  30   b  to prevent tampering. While band  30   b  is preferably padded for the baby&#39;s comfort, it will be appreciated that it could be comprised of SPANDEX fabric which, for some applications, may provide greater flexibility. It is noted that alligator clips, center-release clips, side-release clips, cam locks, snaps, buttons, double D-rings, and spring clips, typically require greater finger strength and manual dexterity to operate than most toddlers can muster. Accordingly, the use of any of these types of clips is sufficient to provide a tamper-resistant clip. The wrapping of the clip  36   b  by band  30   b  ensures the clip will remain attached. In this embodiment, suspension strap includes a third length of fabric  22   b  and a first length of fabric  23   b , with the proximal end  21   b  of third length having a female receptacle  54   b  attached thereto. The distal end  25   b  of the third length of fabric  22   b  is attached to band  30   b  as by stitching. The proximate end  24   b  of first length of fabric  23   b  has a first clip  52   b  attached thereto. Proximate end  24   b  may be attached in such a way as to make it adjustable in length, as is known in the art, or the length of fabric may be made adjustable using a double-back clip in the center of its length. In fact, any of the suspension straps or attachment bands can be made adjustable in length. The distal end  26   b  of first length of fabric  23   b  is secured to a first attachment band  40   b  which, as depicted here, is configured to be secured to a bottle or other container. 
     When it is desired to convert the bottle leash into a toy leash, the side-release clip  52   b  can be engaged to dislodge clip  52   b  from female receptacle  54   b  and remove band  40   b ; then, as depicted in  FIG. 10 , a second thinner strap  40   c  which is secured to a second clip  52   c  by second fabric length  23   c  can be utilized to secure a toy or similar article to female receptacle  54   b . It will be appreciated that strap  40   c  may be adjustable to accommodate different sized objects. Alternatively, strap  40   c  may be made of stretchable elastic material such as SPANDEX. As noted with the  FIG. 5  embodiment, gripping dots can be added to the inner surface of the strap  40   c  (or to any of these other to resist slippage. Another distinctive feature of the seventh embodiment of  FIG. 10  is that third fabric length  21   c  is shortened to bring side-release clip portions  52   b ,  54   b  within the wrap  30   c  to ensure that the tamper-resistant clip cannot be manipulated by the toddler (sort of a “belt-and-suspenders” approach). It will be appreciated that this interchangeable feature may be afforded to other embodiments depicted herein, as well. 
     In the sixth embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 , it is envisioned that the female receptacle  54   d  may be directly threaded onto a securement strap such as a shoulder strap of a car seat or high chair. The eighth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11 , depicts the invention in its simplest form: a tamper-resistant alligator clip  36   d  secured to the proximate end  24   d  of a strap  23   d  of a first fabric length, while the distal end  266  is secured to a second attachment band  40   d . As noted earlier, attachment band may be stretchable or of fixed length fabric, depending on the specifics of the application. 
     It is appreciated that, should the thinner attachment band  40   d , for example, come loose from its attachment to suspension strap  22   d , it could pose a possible choking hazard to an infant since putting things into its mouth is a primary source of entertainment for a baby.  FIG. 12  depicts a ninth embodiment devised to combat this problem generally at  20   e . In this embodiment, a toy, more specifically a stuffed animal, which in this specific embodiment takes the form of a teddy bear  60   e , is integrally formed with attachment band  40   e . While one example of how this safety feature may be implemented is depicted in  FIG. 12 , it will be appreciated that any number of alternatives exist, as well. For example, the size of the stuffed animal or other toy, relative to the size of the band  40   e  could be either larger or smaller. Further, although a separate band  40   e  is shown with clips  52   e ,  54   e  attached to its paws  62   e , it will be appreciated that the clips  52   e ,  54   e  could be attached directly to paws  62   e  and the strap eliminated. Clearly, all four paws could be configured to provide a double wrap around the bottle or toy. Finally, if the paws  62   e  were equipped with pads of Velcro fabric, they could be wrapped around the toy item and secured, providing an adjustment feature. Alternatively, the proper selection of the stuffed animal (e.g., a monkey) could afford the opportunity to utilize the stuffed animal as the attachment band and the animal&#39;s tail as the suspension strap. It is also envisioned that a kangaroo could support the bottle or toy within her pouch. An alternative to the use of an animal would be to make the attachment band  40   d  of the padded variety, i.e., stuffed, to render it too large of ingestion and too soft for strangulation. 
       FIG. 13  depicts a tenth embodiment generally at  20   f . This embodiment employs a D-ring  70   f  attached to proximate end  21   f  of third fabric length  22   f , with distal end  25   f  secured to the band  30   f  as by stitching. Suspension strap  40   f  is secured using a spring clip  72   f  attached to proximate end  24   f  of first fabric length  23   f . The spring clip  72   f  may be easily clipped to and released from D-ring  70   f  by the custodial adult. However, toddlers lack the manual dexterity and finger strength necessary to operate the spring clip  72   f . Accordingly, this embodiment is also child proof. It is within the scope of the teachings of this disclosure to enclose the D-ring and spring clip with the band  30   f  to provide an additional level of tamper-resistance. 
     The baby bottle leash  20  of the present invention secures the bottle  15  or other container in ready reach of the child even should he/she temporarily lose his/her grip thereon. Because the bottle remains within easy reach, the child may recapture the bottle without requiring intervention of the parent. Even should the parent need to “come to the rescue”, rummaging around on the floor of the back seat will not be part of the exercise. In several embodiments, each of the first ( 30 ) and second ( 40 ) attachment bands have redundant securement means and latching means, respectively, to produce a failsafe system  20  for keeping the bottle  15  or other container, on the leash. Alternative second attachment bands  40  can be secured to first attachment bands  30  by a variety of clips ( 52 ,  54 ;  70 ,  72 ) to allow a parent to switch back and forth between the child&#39;s favorite toy or binky and the bottle, as need warrants. 
     Various changes, alternatives, and modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the foregoing specification. It is intended that all such changes, alternatives, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims be considered part of the present invention.