Abstract:
A back support device utilizes a removable fabric support strap attached to chain attachment assemblies for connection to the support chains of a swing. The chain attachment assemblies are attached to chain elements of the support chains so that the support strap of the device is positioned in the underarm area of an adult. The support strap has a width sufficient for supporting the back and underarms of an adult comfortably. A removable sleeve, slidable over the chain attachment assemblies and support strap of the device provides a means to quickly and easily clean and restore the device.

Description:
This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/692,083, filed Jun. 20, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for supporting infants or children while in a swing, and more particularly, a method of apparatus and methods for supporting an adult holding a child in a swing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Swings are a long-time favorite of adults and children alike for pleasure and relaxation. Use of swings by young children and, especially, infants presents problems since they are too young and immature to safely support themselves in a conventional swing. Special infant swing seats which provide supports enclosing the child or infant may be used, such as a child restrain system disclosed in US Patent Application Publication 2003/0040372. 
     In many cases, an adult prefers to remain holding an infant or a young child while themselves are seated on a swing. Prior devices are either unusable, overly complex or impractical for use by the adult. For example, the device of US Patent Application Publication 2003/0040372 requires both hands to fasten, making the device impractical when attending to an infant. 
     There exists a need for a support device and method to allow supporting an infant or child during swinging, which allows use and constant attention of the child by an adult. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a back support device which supports an adult sufficiently to hold a child during swinging evolutions. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that can be quickly and easily attached to different swing types; 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that does not require use of the hands to support the adult when sitting on a swing; 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that is comfortable and does not overly restrict movement of the adult; 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that can be quickly and easily cleaned; 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that utilizes decorative elements in the device; and 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that is simple and low in cost. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support device adding stability of an adult by supporting the back and underarms of an adult in a swing without surrounding, encircling or otherwise restraining the adult by loops or harnesses. 
     The support device of the present invention is a strap made of a comfortable material such as fabric. The device utilizes a pair of releasable fasteners, attached to ends of the strap for attaching the strap to the support chains of a swing. The support device is attached so that the strap is at a height that supports the back and underarms of the user. The added support allows an adult to hold a child or infant with one hand, and still allows the other hand for self-support. The support device does not require encircling or full harnessing of the user. Although the device would normally be used by adults for added stability when holding an infant or child who is unable to safely use a swing by themselves, the device could also be used by children or adults for improved safety and stability when using the swing by themselves. 
     In the preferred embodiments, the support device comprises a width sufficient to support the user without undue pressure from the strap. The strap may made of a length of flexible or semi-rigid material with the releasable fasteners on each end. Or the strap portion may be made by stitching a length of fabric in a loop. The device may utilize a cushion such as an elastic sleeve to cover the strap for added comfort while providing a means to maintain the cleanliness of the device. The sleeve may also comprise ornamental features such as sewn decorations or patches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a top front perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the support apparatus or device having a support strap consisting of a fabric loop engaging two chain attachment assemblies; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation drawing of the support device engaged to the support chains of a swing, and an adult supported by the support device by the back and underarms so that the adult is holding an infant with at least one hand, the adult and infant shown in phantom lines; 
         FIG. 3  is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of the support device utilizing a semi-rigid support strap portion; 
         FIG. 4  is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of the support device having a removable sleeve; 
         FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of the support device utilizing a decorative removable sleeve; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross section drawing of the support device of  FIG. 4  taken through lines  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross section drawing of the support device of  FIG. 5  taken through lines  6 B- 6 B of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following is a description of the apparatus and method for supporting a child in a swing. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of embodiment  101  of a back support device for supporting a child in a swing. The device comprises a support strap  103  and two chain fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B. Fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B comprise a means of attachment to the support strap and a second means to attach to a swing chain as shown in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, support strap  103  is a fabric strap passing through D-rings  107 A,  107 B of chain fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B and attached end-to-end at splice  109  to form a loop. 
     In the preferred embodiments, strap  103  is made of a high-strength woven material such as nylon or polyester fabric. In other embodiments, a soft fabric such as cotton fabric may be used. In still other embodiments, support strap  103  may be made of natural or synthetic belt materials such as leather, natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomers, or semi-rigid polymeric materials. In still other embodiments, strap  103  may be metal mesh or chain. 
     Splice  109  may be made by stitching, such as stitching  111 , or it may be made by mechanical fasteners or by bonding. In the preferred embodiments, support strap  103  is of sufficient width  113  to provide distributed support and physical comfort to an adult supported by the strap when the strap is passed behind the back and under the armpits as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiments, support strap width  113  is at least 2 inches wide. In the more preferred embodiments, support strap width  113  is at least 3 inches wide. In the most preferred embodiments, support strap width  113  is at least 4 inches wide. 
     In the preferred embodiments, chain fastener assemblies  105 A,  105 B comprise a chain fastener such as spring clips  115 A,  115 B and D-rings  107 A,  107 B to provide a quick means to attach the support device to support chains  203 A,  203 B of  FIG. 2 . Spring clips  115 A,  115 B utilize pivoted spring-biased legs  117 A,  117 B to allow insertion of the clip and provides secure attachment as known in the art. In other embodiments, other chain attachment methods are used such as snap clips, S-clips, shackles, or other chain attachment fasteners known in the art. In still other embodiments, attachment assemblies  105 A,  105 B may be single piece fasteners, such as pelican hooks attached to support strap  103 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevation drawing of fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B of support device  101  attached to respective support chain assemblies  203 A,  203 B of swing  201 . The fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B are positioned on respective support chains  203 A,  203 B so that strap  103  of support device  101  is positioned at a height corresponding to a height between the shoulders  205  of an adult user  207  and the waist  209  of user  207  when seated on swing seat  211 . In the more preferred embodiments, the fastening assemblies are positioned so that strap  103  of support device  101  is positioned at a height corresponding to a height of the armpits  213  of an adult user  207  when seated on swing seat  211 . 
     With support device  101  installed on swing  201  in the manner shown, adult  207  is free to lean backward and be supported by support device  101 . This additional support allows the adult to hold an infant or child  215  while using swing  201 . The infant or child  215  may be held in the arm or arms of adult  207  while support device  101  provides securing support. Optionally, adult  207  may use one hand on a support chain  203 A and one hand on child  215  as shown in the figure. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of support device  301  utilizing a semi-rigid belt portion  303 A in support strap  303  for improved back support of a user of the device. Belt portion  303 A may be made of leather, fabric, or a solid polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene that provides good support and limited flexibility. In the preferred embodiment belt portion  303 A is attached to flexible end strap portions  303 B 1 ,  303 B 2  by stitching  311 , mechanical fasteners, or by bonding. End strap portions  303 B 1 ,  303 B 2  which fit under the armpits of the user may be made of woven fabric or other more flexible materials to provide comfort for the user. Chain fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B provide chain attachment as described previously. 
       FIG. 4  is a top front perspective view of embodiment  401  of the support device similar to embodiment  101  except support strap  403  is a single strap with ends  403 A and  403 B attached to chain fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B. End attachments may be made by looping the respective ends around D-rings  107 A,  107 B and stitching or bonding, or other mechanical fasteners may be used. In the preferred embodiments, strap  403  is made of a fabric material as described in earlier embodiments. In still other embodiments, support strap  403  is a chain mesh or link chain and chain attachment assemblies  105 A,  105 B are single-piece hooks or snaps attaching the end loops of the chain to the support chains of  FIG. 2   
     Removable sleeve  405  provides a means to improve comfort, add decorative effects, and simplify cleaning of the support device. In the preferred embodiments, sleeve  405  is made of an elastic fabric material, which can be expanded to slide over either end of the device. In the more preferred embodiments, sleeve  405  expands to slide over one of the chain fastening assemblies  105 A,  105 B into the position shown in  FIG. 4 . Sleeve  405  improves cushioning of the device as compared to support strap  403  alone, and allows easy removal and cleaning of sleeve  405 . In still other embodiments, sleeve  405  is made of plastic, foamed plastic, or leather materials. 
       FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view of embodiment  501  of the support device having decorative features. Support strap  503  is similar to that of support strap  103  of  FIG. 1  having decorative designs  502  woven or printed onto strap  503 . Removable sleeve  505  has decorative designs  506  woven or stitch into the material of the sleeve and otherwise similar to sleeve  405  of  FIG. 5 . In the preferred embodiments, the bottom and back views comprise the same ornamental features as the top front view. 
       FIG. 6A  is a cross section of the support device  401  taken along lines  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 4 . Support strap  403  may be a fabric strap as shown in  FIG. 4 , or it may be a semi-rigid strap or strap portion as shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6B  is a cross section of the support device  501  taken along lines  6 B- 6 B of  FIG. 5 . Support strap  503  may be a fabric loop strap as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 1 , or it may be a single strap similar to that of  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4 . 
     Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.