US20110290835A1

US20110290835A1 - Infant Grip

Info

Publication number: US20110290835A1
Application number: US12/786,813
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicole Bartet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-25
Filing date: 2010-05-25
Publication date: 2011-12-01

Abstract

A device for holding an infant's baby's implements and preventing them from dropping to the floor includes a tether having a first end and a second end. A first strap is coupled to the tether first end. The first strap is selectively moveable between a closed-loop position and a substantially open position. A second strap is coupled to the tether second end. The second strap is selectively moveable between a closed-loop position and a substantially open position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a device to anchor an infant item, implement or accessory to a location, such as an infant's wrist, to prevent the item from falling to the ground.

SUMMARY

During the development of fine motor skills, dexterity, coordination, and grip strength, infants and toddlers are prone to dropping items, such as rattlers and the like. This can be problematic as these items may become dirty, soiled, broken and/or lost.
In one embodiment, a device for holding an infant's implements and preventing them from dropping to the floor comprises: a tether having a first end and a second end; a first loop coupled to the tether first end; and a second loop coupled to the tether second end.
In another embodiment, a device for holding an infant's implements and preventing them from dropping to the floor comprises: a tether having a first end and a second end; a first strap coupled to the tether first end, the first strap selectively moveable between a closed-loop position and a substantially open position; and a second strap coupled to the tether second end, the second strap selectively moveable between a closed-loop position and a substantially open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a device for holding infant or toddler implements;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of a device for holding infant or toddler implements; and

FIG. 3 is a second schematic, perspective view of a device for holding infant or toddler implements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the FIGS. wherein like numeral indicate like elements throughout, an illustrative device 100 for holding infant or toddler implement(s) and preventing them from dropping to the floor is shown. The device 100 generally includes a tether 105, a first strap 110 and a second strap 115. The tether 105 includes a first end 120 and a second end 125. The first strap 110 is coupled to the tether first end 120. The second strap 115 is coupled to the tether second end 125. The straps 110, 115 may be coupled to the tether 105 via any suitable means or device, including but not limited to sewing, stitching, adhesive, bonding, mechanical fasteners, or any other suitable means or device.
In one embodiment, each strap 110, 115 is configured to be selectively moveable between a closed-loop position (see, e.g., FIG. 1) and a substantially open position (see, e.g., FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the diameter of the first strap 110 in the first strap closed-loop position is less than the diameter of the second strap 115 in the second strap closed-loop position. The first strap 110 may be configured be wrapped around and secure an item 135, or implement, to the tether 105. For example, and without limitation, the first strap may be configured to secure an item for an infant or toddler to the tether 105 such as a rattler, teether, pacifier or any other suitable item for an infant or toddler. The second strap 115 may be configured to be wrapped around and secure the tether 105 and item held by the first strap 110 to an infant's or toddler's arm or wrist 140, an infant's or toddler's clothing, car seat, stroller, sling, or any other suitable location.
Each strap 110, 115 may include a releasable fastener assembly 130 for releasably maintaining each of the first strap 110 and second strap in the respective closed-loop positions. The fastener assembly 130 may be any suitable device or means for releasably maintaining each of the straps 110, 115 in respective closed-loop positions. Illustrative fastener assemblies include, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, buttons and button holes, snaps, clamps, buckles and zippers. In an alternative embodiment, the tether may include first and second loops at respective ends of the tether. The loops may be formed from a resilient material whereby the loops may be stretched about respective item(s) to secure items to the tether and one another.
In one embodiment, the tether 105 is formed from one material and at least one of the straps 110, 115 is formed from a second material. In one illustrative embodiment, and without limitation, the tether 105 is formed from a woven ribbon and the straps 110, 115 formed from a fabric. In one embodiment, at least one of the tether 105, first strap 110, and second strap 115 is formed from a water-resistant material, such as neoprene. In one embodiment, at least one of the first strap 110 and second strap 115 may include padding, such as a plush fabric component, on the interior surface of the straps 110, 115 when the straps 110, 115 are in their respective closed-loop positions. However, it will be appreciated that the tether 105, first strap 110, and second strap 115 may be formed from any suitable material and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.
In operation, the first strap 110 is wrapped around an item, such as a rattler, and secured in the first strap closed-loop position thereabouts. The second strap 115 may then be secured to a location, such as the wrist of an infant or a toddler, by securing the second strap 115 in the second strap closed-loop position thereabouts whereby the item secured to the first strap 110, e.g. the rattler, is anchored to the location, e.g. the infant's or toddler's wrist. Therefore, if the infant or toddler mistakenly drops the item, the tether 105 may serve to maintain the item in relatively close proximity to the infant or toddler whereby the item may be prevented from falling to the ground and becoming dirty and/or lost.
While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A device for holding an infant's implements and preventing them from dropping to the floor comprising:

a tether having a first end and a second end;

a first loop coupled to the tether first end; and

a second loop coupled to the tether second end.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second loop comprises a first material and wherein the tether comprises a second material.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first material comprises a plush fabric

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the second material comprises a woven ribbon.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first loop has a first diameter, and wherein the second loop has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.

6. A device for holding an infant's implements and preventing them from dropping to the floor comprising:

a tether having a first end and a second end;

a first strap coupled to the tether first end, the first strap selectively moveable between a closed-loop position and a substantially open position; and

a second strap coupled to the tether second end, the second strap selectively moveable between a closed-loop position and a substantially open position.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein each of the first strap and second strap includes a releasable fastener assembly for releasably maintaining each of the first strap and second strap in the respective closed-loop positions.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein each fastener assembly is hook and loop fastener, buttons and button holes, snaps, clamps, buckles and zipper.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein at least one of the first and second strap comprises a first material and wherein the tether comprises a second material.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the first material comprises a plush fabric

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the second material comprises a woven ribbon.

12. The device of claim 6 wherein the first strap closed-loop position has a first diameter, and wherein the second strap closed-loop position has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.