Child restraint device

Abstract

This invention is directed to restraining devices useful for children wherein eliminating the ability of the child to remove the garment on his/her own without caregiver assistance. The restraining garment includes a body, right and left sleeves having non-stretchable, reinforced stitching around the wrist of a wearer, legs portions having non-stretchable, reinforced stitching around the ankle, and a collar having the same reinforced, non-stretchable stitching. In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening device comprises a zipper and snap fastening device in the rear of the garment, out of reach of the wearer. In another embodiment of the invention, the device is made out of a lightweight but form-fitting material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is directed to restraining devices useful for children in the diaper wearing, pre-potty trained ages (12-36 months), wherein eliminating the ability of the child to remove the garment on his/her own without caregiver assistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many toddlers enter a normal phase of development where they become curious about their bodies. When unsupervised or left alone to sleep or take naps, they sometimes remove their clothing, creating potential choking and strangulation hazards within the crib. This, at times, can also lead to diaper removal and subsequent health and safety hazards associated with the spreading of urine and fecal matter.

[0003] Conventional children's sleeping garments have snaps or zippers on the front which are easily accessible by nimble little hands and fingers.

[0004] Parents and/or caregivers presently are left with no safe or practical alternatives to prevent the risks associated with this potentially dangerous phase of development.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a restraining device that is safe, practical and secure and makes the wearer incapable of removing on their own while left unattended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it can be stated in essentially summary form that this application relates to clothing for keeping children comfortable but secure within the garment. In particular, this invention keeps the entire garment secure, utilizing multiple means, in one place relative to the child while they sleep or are left alone, unattended. 1) The device is specifically designed to be form-fitting, tapered along the length of the wearer; 2) Sleeves, leg cuffs, and collar are form-fitting, utilizing unconventional non-stretch thread stitching on the inside seam line as to minimize stretch and to prevent removal around the wrist, ankle and neck by the wearer; 3) The access (zipper) has been placed on the rear of the garment thereby eliminating the ability of the wearer to reach, unzip, and remove the garment; 4) The snap flap covering the top access to the zipper "pull", in the up position, has a double reinforced fabric alleviating stretch; 5) The snap embedded within the snap flap is larger than conventional children sleepwear snaps. 6) The female portion of the larger snap has been purposely machine gapped smaller to provide added pressure on the male portion of the snap, allowing for a tighter connection upon closure.

[0007] The combination of each unconventional element provides a unique and necessary series of barriers that prevents the wearer from releasing their arms and/or legs thereby creating a "restraining device", alleviating potential escape routes.

[0008] It is another object and advantage of this invention to alleviate the potential of a child creating a strangulation hazard within the crib; a child attempting to free themselves of sleepwear can potentially get the garment wrapped around their neck and stuck on crib rails.

[0009] It is another object and advantage of this invention to alleviate the potential of a child coming into direct contact with fecal matter which can greatly increase one's risk of parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections.

[0010] It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide the wearer both warmth and mobility. A child who removes garments at naptime or bedtime may experience uncomfortable environmental conditions further complicating the ability to achieve restorative sleep.

[0011] It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a restraining device which provides the functional ability by the parent or caregiver to easily change the diaper of a child that is mobile and has efficiently developed the ability to walk or stand.

[0012] It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a garment to parents of "supervised" children or adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities the same limiting functionality as stated above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention is described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is the front view of the device of this invention, showing the long sleeve, long legged, version of the design.

[0015] FIG. 2 is the rear view of the device of this invention, showing placement of the zipper along the back center of the garment, running down to the rear part of the leg and ankle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

[0016] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation of the scope, equivalents or principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention.

[0017] In use, the restraining device of this invention is usually utilized for mobile children within the "toddler", diaper wearing, years between ages 1 and 3. In such a case, the device is placed on the child prior to nap time or when the child is first dressed for bed, though he may still be somewhat active prior to actually going to bed for the night. The device provides good mobility for the child and is easy accessed by the parent or caregiver if a diaper change is needed.

[0018] In this regard, the invention is illustrated in two figures, and is of sufficient complexity that the many parts, interrelationships, and sub-combinations thereof simply cannot be fully illustrated in a single patent-type drawing. For clarity and conciseness, the drawings show in schematic, or omit, parts that are not essential in that drawing to a description of a particular feature, aspect or principle of the invention being disclosed. Thus, the best mode embodiment of one feature may be shown in one drawing, and the best mode of another feature will be called out in another drawing.

[0019] All publications, patents and applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent or application had been expressly stated to be incorporated by reference.

Child Restraint Device

[0020] FIG. 1 is the front view of the device of this invention, showing the long sleeve, long legged version of the design without feet inserts.

[0021] FIG. 2 is the rear view of the device of this invention, also the long legged, long legged version, showing placement of the zipper along the back center of the garment, running down to the rear part of the leg and ankle.

Alternate Embodiments

[0022] Adaptations such as long or short sleeve lengths and/or long and short leg lengths, along with the option of cloth feet inserts shall be included in the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0023] It is clear that the inventive child restraint device of this application has wide applicability to the children's sleepwear industry, namely to provide a comfortable, safe, warm and secure fitting alternative to conventional one-piece sleepwear.

[0024] It should be understood that various modifications within the scope of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit thereof and without undue experimentation. For example, this device may be used to assist caregivers for elderly patients with developmental disabilities such as Alzheimer's disease and/or use within the hospice/medical profession. This invention is therefore to be defined as broadly as the prior art will permit, and in view of the specification if need be, including a full range of current and future equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. Restraint device comprising: An article for restraining a child with the one-piece garment embracing the upper and lower torso of the wearer, covering shoulders and arms on the upper part of the body and legs over the lower body having a single zipper that runs the length (of the garment) down the back from the neck to the lower back leg/ankle.

2. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment has form-fitting sleeves, leg cuffs, and collar with unconventional non-stretch thread stitching along the inside seam line as to minimize stretch thereby restricting removal around the wrist, ankle and neck by the wearer.

3. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment zipper is to be closed at the bottom with the ability to zip up to the back of the neck.

4. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment has sleeves thereon, either long to the wrist or short to the upper or middle bicep area.

5. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment leg length is either long to the ankle or short to the thigh.

6. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment leg portion of material is either sufficiently long or tight fitting enough as to allow limited access through the leg opening by the wearer.

7. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment may or may not have sewn in cloth material to encompass the feet of the wearer.

8. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment being formed of a flexible cloth material that keeps the wearer warm, but permits "perspiration" to breathe. Moreover, the preferred embodiment employs fabrics, which are machine washable. Cotton knit fabrics and cotton flannels are preferred, but other fabrics may be used.

9. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment has a double reinforced snap flap covering the zipper "pull". The snap itself is larger than conventional devices with the female portion purposely machine gapped smaller in order to tighten connection with the male connection.

10. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein Said garment enables wearer ease of entry by stepping into the device while upright in the standing position.

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