Patent Publication Number: US-6702374-B2

Title: Protective cover for a child carrier

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to child carriers and, more particularly, to a protective cover that fits over the child carrier and shields the child from projectiles such as stray balls during sporting events. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Infants and small children are often placed in child carriers while they are transported from one location to another. Most conventional child carriers are comprised of an open shell having two opposing side walls and a bottom panel covered with padding. The child is usually placed on the padded bottom panel of the carrier in a manner that leaves the child&#39;s face and body openly exposed. These child carriers are also sometimes used as portable seats to hold small children when they are taken outdoors to events such as picnics or ball games. However, one disadvantage of seating infants and small children in such carriers during sporting events is that they are susceptible to being hit by projectiles such as stray balls. In particular, high speed stray balls can hit the child before the adult has time to react and remove the child from the path of the moving ball. 
     The prior art discloses a number of modified child carriers that have protective shields configured to protect children while they are seated in the carrier. However, these carriers are primarily designed to protect children from impact with airbags. For instance, the prior art discloses child carriers equipped with clear plastic doors that can be closed over the top opening of the carrier so as to completely enclose the child within the carrier. While such plastic covers will generally shield the child from airbags and most projectiles, they tend to reduce air circulation to the child and thus deprive the child of adequate ventilation and comfort. In particular, it can be quite uncomfortable for the child when the child is left outdoors in such an enclosure for an extended period of time on a hot day. Moreover, the child&#39;s breath will likely fog the plastic cover thereby making it difficult for the child to see out and adults to see inside. 
     In certain instances, the plastic cover can also create a feeling of claustrophobia in some children when they realize that they cannot reach out beyond the sheet of plastic that is immediately adjacent their body. Furthermore, the plastic cover can also shatter upon impact when it is hit by certain high speed projectiles which may result in substantial injury to the child. Additionally, these modified child carriers typically have to be purchased separately as the conventional child carriers cannot be retrofitted to include such protective covers. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there is a need for a protective cover for child carriers that will shield the child from flying projectiles and yet does not reduce the child&#39;s ventilation and comfort. Furthermore, it can be appreciated that there is a need for a protective cover that can be easily retrofitted on most conventional child carriers. To this end there is a need for a protective cover that protects the child from flying projectiles, does not limit the child&#39;s ventilation and comfort, and can be adapted for use on most conventional child carriers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the child carrier protective cover of the present invention which is adapted to shield the child from projectiles such as balls, rocks, and the like while still providing the child with sufficient ventilation and comfort. 
     In one aspect, the protective cover comprises a rim that is adapted to surround a child seated in the child carrier. The protective cover further comprises a shield extending from the rim so as to form a concave shell and define a space therein. Preferably, the shield is sized to enclose the child in the space and protect the child from contact with projectiles. Furthermore, the shield defines a plurality of openings that extend substantially throughout the entire shield. The openings permit air to circulate therethrough and allow for improved visibility so that the child is visible to others while seated in the carrier. 
     In one embodiment, the rim of the protective cover comprises a first section defining a first plane and a second section defining a second plane wherein the first plane is tilted at an angle to the second plane. Preferably, the angle of tilt between the first and second planes defined by the rim is approximately 145 degrees. In another embodiment, the space defined by the shield is substantially rectangular and has a width of approximately 14.5-15 inches, a length of approximately 35-36 inches, and a maximum height of approximately 12.5 inches. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shield is comprised of a mesh formed by a network of wires. The mesh can be constructed of a known metal such as steel, aluminum and the like or a plastic material or a powder coated metal material. Furthermore, the mesh comprises substantially evenly spaced openings wherein each opening has an area of approximately 1 in 2  while the space between adjacent openings is preferably {fraction (1/16)} inch, more preferably ⅛ inch, more preferably ¼ inch. Furthermore, the openings are configured to permit the child&#39;s fingers and toes to extend out from the openings so as to provide the child with a sense of openness and contact with outside while still preventing entry of large projectiles such as balls. 
     In yet another embodiment, the protective cover further comprises at least one attachment device wherein the at least one attachment device is configured to detachably affix the cover to the child carrier. Preferably, the at least one attachment device comprises a first and second strap wherein the first strap is affixed to a front section of the rim and the second strap is affixed to a rear section of the rim. 
     In another aspect, the protective cover of the present invention comprises a rim that is adapted to rest on an outer periphery of the child carrier. The cover further comprises a network of wires extending from the rim so as to form a rigid mesh. Preferably, the mesh comprises a plurality of substantially evenly spaced openings so as to permit air to flow free therethrough. Preferably, the openings are also dimensioned to permit the child&#39;s fingers and toes to reach out through the openings and make contact with outside. Furthermore, the cover also comprises a plurality of elastic straps that are configured to attach the cover to a child carrier. Preferably, the straps can be easily attached and removed from the frame of most conventional child carriers. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a child carrier having a protective cover. In one embodiment, the child carrier comprises an open shell having a plurality of side walls and a padded bottom panel that is adapted to receive a child. Furthermore, the child carrier comprises a protective cover having a rim, a network of wires extending from the rim so as to form a concave shield and define a space therein. Preferably, the protective cover is adapted to rest on an upper surface of the side walls of the open shell while the child is positioned on the padded bottom panel of the carrier. Preferably, the child is enclosed in the space defined by the network of wires so as to be protected from contact with projectiles. In addition to shielding the child, the network of wires also form a plurality of openings that permit air to circulate to the child. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a protective cover assembly for a child carrier wherein the assembly comprises an interlocking mesh of rigid wires defining a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern wherein the plurality of openings have a width of at least one inch. The cover assembly further comprises an attachment mechanism that attaches to the interlocking mesh of rigid wires and is adapted to engage with the child carrier so as to retain the interlocking mesh of rigid wires on the child carrier wherein the interlocking mesh of rigid wires when attached to the child carrier define an interior volume having a depth of at least 12.5 inches. 
     Advantageously, the child carrier protective cover of the present invention shields a child seated in the carrier from projectiles such as balls, rocks, and the like without reducing the ventilation or comfort of the child. In particular, the protective cover comprises a plurality of openings that are configured to permit air to flow freely therethrough while the cover shields the child from projectiles. Furthermore, the numerous openings in the cover provide the child with a sense of openness so that the child will not likely develop a feeling of claustrophobia. Moreover, the protective cover can be adapted for use on most conventional child carriers. These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the child carrier protective cover of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic top view of the child carrier protective cover of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional front view of the child carrier protective cover of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2C illustrates a schematic side view of the child carrier protective cover of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 1 being placed on a conventional child carrier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. As will be described herein below, the child carrier protective cover of the preferred embodiment shields the child from projectiles and yet does not reduce the child&#39;s ventilation or comfort, and can be conveniently adapted for use on most conventional child carriers. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a child carrier protective cover  100  of the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the protective cover  100  generally comprises a rim  102  and a shield  104  that extends from an upper surface  106  of the rim  102  so as to form a concave shell and define a space  110  therein. As will be described in greater detail below, the cover  100  is configured to fit over a child carrier in a manner such that the child seated in the carrier will remain in the space  110  defined by the shield  104  and be substantially protected from projectiles. 
     As FIG. 1 further illustrates, the shield  104  comprises a plurality of evenly spaced openings  112  that are dimensioned to permit air to flow freely therethrough so as to provide the child with adequate ventilation and comfort. Preferably, the openings  112  are configured to keep projectiles and moving objects such as baseballs and the like from falling through the openings  112  and injure the child. In one embodiment, each opening  112  is substantially square shaped and has an area of approximately 1 in 2 . However, it can be appreciated that the openings may also take on a variety of other shapes and dimensions without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Furthermore, the shield  104  is constructed of a rigid material that can withstand the force of impact with projectiles such as baseballs, soccer balls, rocks, or the like. In one embodiment, the shield  104  is comprised of a mesh formed by a network of wires in which each wire has an outer diameter of approximately ⅛ inch. Preferably, the wires can be constructed of known metals such as steel aluminum and the like, or a known plastic material. In one embodiment, metal wires are powder coated using generally known techniques so as to provide the wires with a soft edge that is more suited for a child to grab onto. Advantageously, the shield  104  protects the child from most flying projectiles while the numerous openings  112  in the shield  104  permit air to flow freely to the child and allow for improved visibility. Preferably, the openings  112  comprise at least fifty percent (50%) of the total surface area of the protective cover  100  so as to ensure sufficient air circulation to and from the child. Thus, the child&#39;s ventilation and comfort will not be compromised, particularly when the child is placed in the carrier and taken outdoors on a hot day. 
     Furthermore, the protective cover  100  also reduces the feeling of claustrophobia that some children may otherwise experience when they are enclosed in child carriers equipped with conventional protective covers. In particular, the cover  100  is contoured to provide sufficient room for the child&#39;s hands and legs to move within the space  110  defined by the shield  104 . Furthermore, the numerous openings  112  in the cover  100  provide the child some contact with outside so that the child is not likely to feel completely isolated once the cover  100  is placed over the carrier. 
     As it is also shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of attachment devices  114   a ,  114   b  are affixed to the cover  100  and adapted to detachably affix the cover  100  to a child carrier. In one embodiment, the attachment devices  114   a ,  114   b  comprises U-shaped straps that are attached to a front  116  and rear  118  sections of the rim  102  and can be conveniently slipped onto the frame of a child carrier. Preferably, the straps are made of an elastic material and are configured to fit on a conventional child carrier in a manner to be described in greater detail below. 
     FIG. 2A shows a schematic top view of one embodiment of the protective cover  100  of the present invention. As FIG. 2A illustrates, the protective cover  100  forms a substantially rectangular enclosure  120  having rounded corners  124 . The shape and dimension of the cover  100  is configured in accordance with the design of most conventional child carriers so that the cover can be conveniently adapted for use on these carriers. In one embodiment, the enclosure  120  is approximately 35-36 inches long and 14.5-15 inches wide, which corresponds to the dimensions of many conventional child carriers. However, the shape and dimension of the enclosure  120  formed by the cover  100  can vary without departing from the scope of the invention. As FIG. 2A further illustrates, in one embodiment, the protective cover  100  forms a substantially rectangular enclosure  120  having a plurality of cutouts  140   a ,  140   b . The cutouts  140   a ,  140   b  are configured to permit the protective cover  100  to properly fit on the child carrier. In particular, the cutouts  140   a ,  140   b  are contoured in a manner so that the protective cover  100  can fit around the base of the handle on most child carriers. 
     FIG. 2B illustrates a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the protective cover  100 . As FIG. 2B illustrates, the cover  100  is bulbous shaped and the distance  105  from the rim  102  of the cover  100  to the apex of the shield  104  is approximately 12.5 inches. This distance  105  provides some headroom for the child&#39;s arms and legs to move while seated in the carrier. FIG. 2C illustrates a schematic side view of one embodiment of the protective cover  100 . As FIG. 2C illustrates, a front section  126  of the rim  102  defines a first plane  132  while a rear section  130  of the rim  102  defines a second plane  134 . Furthermore, the first plane  132  is tilted at an angle  136  from the second plane  134  such that the angle  136  is adapted to correspond to the angle that is typically present between the front and rear sections of most conventional child carriers. In one embodiment, the angle  136  comprises an obtuse angle of approximately 145 degrees. The angle  136  of bend in the rim  102  is configured to simulate the angle typically present in most conventional child carriers so as to ensure that the cover  100  can be properly fitted over the carrier  100 . Furthermore, when the protective cover  100  is engaged with a child carrier in a manner to be described in greater detail below, the protective cover defines an interior volume having a depth of at least 12.5 inches. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which the protective cover  100  is engaged with a conventional child carrier  200 . As FIG. 3 shows, the rim  102  of the cover  100  is positioned adjacent an outer periphery  204  of the child carrier  200 . In one embodiment, a lower surface  108  of the rim  102  rests on an upper surface  206  of the outer periphery  204  of the carrier  200  while the plurality of straps  114   a ,  114   b  are slipped over an upper and lower edge  210   a ,  210   b  of the child carrier  200  to detachably affix the cover  100  to the carrier  200 . Preferably, the straps  114   a ,  114   b  permit the cover  100  to be easily attached to and removed from the child carrier  200 . In one embodiment, the straps  114   a ,  114   b  are made of an elastic material so that they can fit snugly around the upper and lower edges  210   a ,  210   b  of the child carrier  200 . Furthermore, the elastic straps can fit around mounting edges having a variety of different configurations, thus permitting the child carrier protector to be mounted to a variety of different child carriers. 
     As FIG. 3 further shows, the cover  100  is contoured to maximize the headroom for the child  300  seated in the carrier while still providing sufficient space for a handle  212  of the carrier  200  to be deployed over the cover  100  in a manner such that the carrier  200  can be picked up via the handle  212 . In one embodiment, the handle  212  is substantially U-shaped and has a first end  222  attached to a first side  224  of the child carrier  200  and a second end (not shown) attached to a second side of the carrier. As described above, the protective cover has cutouts that are configured to fit around the first and second ends of the carrier. In another embodiment, toys  214  can be placed along the openings  112  of the cover  100  so that the child  300  can be entertained while seated in the child carrier. Furthermore, the child&#39;s fingers  216  and toes  220  can reach through the openings  112  to the outside so as to minimize the sense of claustrophobia the child may feel. 
     Advantageously, the protective cover shields the child from most projectiles and yet provides a feeling of openness. In particular, the cover is designed to shield the child from projectiles such as balls, rocks, and the like and the force of the object hitting the cover will be transmitted to the carrier and not to the child sitting therein. Moreover, the cover has sufficient openings to permit air to flow freely to and from the child so that the child&#39;s ventilation and comfort are not reduced. Furthermore, the protective cover can be easily adapted for use on most conventional child carriers, including but not limited to child car seats, strollers, and infant carriers. 
     Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussions, but should be defined by the appended claims.