Abstract:
Embodiments may relate to a means for retrieving one or more infant items when thrown by an infant. According to some embodiments, a retrieval means can include a manual or spring-loaded means. Furthermore, embodiments can comprise a means for attaching the system to a support structure, or the embodiment may be built into the support structure instead. Suitable support structures may include, without limitation, one or more of an infant car seat, an infant high chair, an infant walker, an infant playpen, an infant stroller, an infant carrying device, or an infant cradle.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/372,507 filed on Aug. 11, 2010 and now pending, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention generally relates to devices systems and methods for retrieving a baby bottle. 
         [0004]    B. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    It is well know that infants tend to throw objects such as baby bottles, which can cause a parent or caregiver to repeatedly fetch the bottle. Thus it would be desirable to have an automatic bottle retrieval system for returning the bottle to the infant if it were to fall or be thrown by the infant. 
         [0006]    Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for retrieving a baby item such as a baby bottle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an infant item retrieval system, comprising: a housing adapted to at least partially enclose a retraction means; a central anchor post disposed on an inner surface of the housing, and defining a centrally oriented slit; a spiral spring having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being received by the centrally oriented slit in an anchored relation; a spool comprising a central hub having an inner annular surface defining a central aperture, the spool further comprising a slit disposed on the inner annular surface adapted to receive the outer end of the spiral spring in an anchored relation, wherein the spool receives the central anchor post in the central aperture with the spiral spring therebetween; a first flange dispose on a first side of the central hub; a second flange disposed on a second side of the central hub and defining a plurality of indexing notches about a circumference of the second flange; a tethering member attached to the spool at one end of the tethering member and stowable about the spool in a coiled configuration, wherein the other end of the tethering member is threaded through an aperture in the housing to an exterior of the housing, and wherein the tethering member terminates in a linking member selected from one or more of a hook, a buckle, a clip, or a clasp; and a retaining member adapted to hold a baby item in a retained relation, the retaining member being linked to the tethering member through the linking member. 
         [0008]    According to some embodiments, the housing comprises a portion of a clamping member adapted to join to a support structure in a clamping relation. 
         [0009]    According to some embodiments, the clamping member comprises one or more of a spring-loaded clamp, a C-clamp, or a screw-driven clamp. 
         [0010]    According to some embodiments, the housing comprise a portion of a support structure selected from one or more of an infant car seat, an infant high chair, an infant walker, an infant playpen, an infant stroller, an infant carrying device, or an infant cradle. 
         [0011]    Some embodiments further comprise a means for mechanically linking the system to a support structure. 
         [0012]    According to some embodiments, the means for mechanically linking comprise one or more of a hook, a clasp, a loop, a carabineer, a buckle, or a hook-and-loop fastener. 
         [0013]    According to some embodiments, the tethering member comprise one or more of a fabric web, a strap, a cord, a string, a rope, or a cable. 
         [0014]    According to some embodiments, the retaining member comprises one or more of a strap, a harness, a hook-and-loop fastener, a buckle, a clip, or a clamp. 
         [0015]    Some embodiments relate to an infant item retrieval system, comprising: a housing adapted to at least partially enclose a retraction means, wherein the housing comprises a portion of a clamping member adapted to join to a support structure in a clamping relation, wherein the clamping member comprises one or more of a spring-loaded clamp, a C-clamp, or a screw-driven clamp; a central anchor post disposed on an inner surface of the housing, and defining a centrally oriented slit; a spiral spring having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being received by the centrally oriented slit in an anchored relation; a spool comprising a central hub having an inner annular surface defining a central aperture, the spool further comprising a slit disposed on the inner annular surface adapted to receive the outer end of the spiral spring in an anchored relation, wherein the spool receives the central anchor post in the central aperture with the spiral spring therebetween; a first flange dispose on a first side of the central hub; a second flange disposed on a second side of the central hub and defining a plurality of indexing notches about a circumference of the second flange; a tethering member attached to the spool at one end of the tethering member and stowable about the spool in a coiled configuration, wherein the other end of the tethering member is threaded through an aperture in the housing to an exterior of the housing, and wherein the tethering member terminates in a linking member selected from one or more of a hook, a buckle, a clip, or a clasp; and a retaining member adapted to hold a baby item in a retained relation, the retaining member being linked to the tethering member through the linking member. 
         [0016]    Some embodiments further comprise a means for mechanically linking the system to a support structure. 
         [0017]    According to some embodiments, the means for mechanically linking comprise one or more of a hook, a clasp, a loop, a carabineer, a buckle, or a hook-and-loop fastener. 
         [0018]    According to some embodiments, the tethering member comprise one or more of a fabric web, a strap, a cord, a string, a rope, or a cable. 
         [0019]    According to some embodiments, the retaining member comprises one or more of a strap, a harness, a hook-and-loop fastener, a buckle, a clip, or a clamp. 
         [0020]    Some embodiments relate to an infant item retrieval system, comprising: a housing adapted to at least partially enclose a retraction means, wherein the housing comprise a portion of a support structure selected from one or more of an infant car seat, an infant high chair, an infant walker, an infant playpen, an infant stroller, an infant carrying device, or an infant cradle; a central anchor post disposed on an inner surface of the housing, and defining a centrally oriented slit; a spiral spring having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being received by the centrally oriented slit in an anchored relation; a spool comprising a central hub having an inner annular surface defining a central aperture, the spool further comprising a slit disposed on the inner annular surface adapted to receive the outer end of the spiral spring in an anchored relation, wherein the spool receives the central anchor post in the central aperture with the spiral spring therebetween; a first flange dispose on a first side of the central hub; a second flange disposed on a second side of the central hub and defining a plurality of indexing notches about a circumference of the second flange; a tethering member attached to the spool at one end of the tethering member and stowable about the spool in a coiled configuration, wherein the other end of the tethering member is threaded through an aperture in the housing to an exterior of the housing, and wherein the tethering member terminates in a linking member selected from one or more of a hook, a buckle, a clip, or a clasp; and a retaining member adapted to hold a baby item in a retained relation, the retaining member being linked to the tethering member through the linking member. 
         [0021]    Some embodiments further comprise a means for mechanically linking the system to a support structure. 
         [0022]    According to some embodiments, the means for mechanically linking comprise one or more of a hook, a clasp, a loop, a carabineer, a buckle, or a hook-and-loop fastener. 
         [0023]    According to some embodiments, the tethering member comprise one or more of a fabric web, a strap, a cord, a string, a rope, or a cable. 
         [0024]    According to some embodiments, the retaining member comprises one or more of a strap, a harness, a hook-and-loop fastener, a buckle, a clip, or a clamp. 
         [0025]    Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an embodiment including a clamp member; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a portion of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    According to one embodiment, an infant item retrieval system can comprise a clamping member for anchoring the system to a support structure. In such embodiments the clamping member may define a housing for a retrieval means. The retrieval system can further comprise a stowable/extendable tethering member retractably linked to the retrieval system. Still further, the system can comprise a bottle retaining member for reversibly linking an item such as, without limitation, a baby bottle or other baby-related item to the tethering member. Alternatively, some embodiments do not include a clamping member, but rather link a tethering member directly to a support structure through a built-in retraction means. According to such embodiments, the support structure may define a housing for a retrieval means. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, a clamping member fixedly engages, in a clamping relation, a support structure such as a frame of an infant car seat or a tabletop of an infant highchair. According to such embodiments, a tethering member can terminate in a bottle retaining member which engages a baby bottle, sip cup, or other infant-related item in a retained relation. Thus, when the bottle is drawn away from the clamping member, the tethering member can extend continuously from a stowed configuration, and a means for retracting the tethering member responds with increasing retractive spring force. Accordingly, when the bottle is released, the retractive force causes the tethering member to return to the stowed configuration thereby retrieving the attached baby bottle. 
         [0031]    According to some embodiments a clamping member can comprise any of a wide variety of structures suitable for developing a clamping force. For example, suitable clamps can comprise one or more of a spring-loaded clamp, a C-clamp, or a screw-driven clamp. One of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments can also replace a clamping means with any of a wide variety of known structures for reversibly linking an embodiment to a support structure. Such structures can include, without limitation, hooks, clasps, loops, carabineers, buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments a tethering member can comprise a structure selected from one or more of a fabric web, a strap, a cord, a string, a rope, a cable, or other similar structures. A tethering member generally has a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. One end of a tethering means may be linked to a means for retracting the tethering members into a stowed configuration, wherein a stowed configuration can comprise, for example, a spiral and/or coil. The other end of a tethering means may be linked to, form, or comprise a means for retaining an item, such as a baby bottle. 
         [0033]    According to some embodiments a means for retracting the tethering member can comprise a spool. More specifically, a suitable spool may include a means for generating a retractive force. In some embodiments, structures that may be used to generate such a retractive force can include, without limitation a spring, a spiral spring, a torsion spring, a compression spring, or an extension spring. For example, a tethering member can be joined at one end to a hub or inner annular surface of the spool. A spool may include a central aperture defining an inner annular surface which may include a means for receiving an outer end of a spiral spring in a retained relation, while the inner end of the spiral spring may be retained by a central anchor post fixed, for instance, to a housing. According to such embodiments, when the spiral spring is compressed the tethering means is in an extended configuration. Thus, releasing the tethering means allows the spiral spring to relax thereby retracting the tethering means and coiling the tethering means into a stowed configuration on the spool. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, a spool may include a central hub having a flange on one side and an indexed flange on an opposing side. An indexed flange can include one or more indexing notches adapted to receive, for instance, a spring-loaded mechanical stop. According to such embodiments, rotation of the spool can be stopped by engaging the mechanical stop with one of the indexing notches. 
         [0035]    According to some embodiments a retaining means can comprise a structure selected from one or more of a strap, a harness, a hook-and-loop fastener, a buckle, a clip, or a clamp. For example, in some embodiments, a retaining means can include a strap having an adjustable length which is adapted to fit tightly around an item such as, without limitation a baby bottle. 
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment, a tethering means may be slidably affixed to a support structure such that the tethering means is retained by the support structure at one end of the tethering means. The other end of the tethering means may be attached to a baby item such as a baby bottle. Thus, the item can be retrieved manually by pulling the end of the tethering means opposing the baby item. 
         [0037]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  is a plan view of an embodiment comprising a clamp  100 . The embodiment includes a first arm  120  terminating in a rubber pad  124 A, and a second opposing arm  122  terminating in a rubber pad  124 B. The arms  120  and  122  are joined in a pivotable relation about a spring-loaded joint  130 . The spring-loaded joint  130  generates a clamping force between rubber pads  124 A and  124 B. The clamping force can be overcome by applying an opposing force to lever arms  140  and  142 , thereby opening the clamp  100 . Furthermore, a portion  150  of clamp  100  defines a housing and is shown as transparent thus revealing an inner retraction means. The retraction means includes a central anchor post  154  upon which is a spool  153  having an indexed flange with indexing notches  152 , which are adapted to receive a mechanical stop  151 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view drawing showing the detail of portion  150  in  FIG. 1 . According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the retraction means includes a two-part housing having a first part  200 A and a second part  200 B which are adapted to join, for instance, in a snap fit relation. Each of the two parts of the housing  200 A,  200 B include an aperture  280 A,  280 B through which a tethering means may be threaded. The second part  200 B of the housing includes a central anchor post  154  defining a centrally oriented slit  250  adapted to receive the inner end  230  of a spiral spring  210  in an anchoring relation. The outer end  220  of the spiral spring  210  is received in a retaining relation by a retaining slit  240  defined by an inner annular surface  242  of a central aperture  244  of the spool  153 . According to this embodiment, the inner annular surface  242  and central aperture  244  are defined by a hub  246  of the spool  153 . 
         [0039]    Further according to  FIG. 2 , the spool  153  includes a flange  260  and an indexed flange  270 . The indexed flange  270  includes evenly spaced indexing notches  152  disposed about a perimeter of the indexed flange  270 . Between the flanges  260 ,  270  a tethering member  290  can be wound about the spool  153  defining a stowed configuration. Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the tethering member  290  can be threaded through apertures  280 A and  280 B and may terminate in a linking member such as a hook, buckle, clip, clasp, or the like for connecting the tethering member to a retaining means. 
         [0040]    Embodiments having been described, hereinabove, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope and spirit of the invention. The present invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
         [0041]    Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: