US20140132043A1

US20140132043A1 - Stroller Blanket

Info

Publication number: US20140132043A1
Application number: US14/078,251
Authority: US
Inventors: Erika K Rodormer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-15
Filing date: 2013-11-12
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

A blanket for covering, warming and protecting a child seated in a stroller from harmful ultra-violet rays and other weather elements. The blanket includes a top edge and a bottom edge having a material portion therebetween for covering the child's torso and legs thereunder. A first fastening means integrally couples to the first edge of the material portion of the blanket and a second fastening means integrally couples to the second edge of the material portion of the blanket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/796,586 filed on Nov. 15, 2012 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to blankets and more particularly to a blanket having an attachable means for securing to a stroller, capable of conveniently shading the lower extremities of a child from sun exposure and other weather elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Millions of mothers rely upon strollers for walking and transporting their children. Currently, shades integrated within a stroller are heavily utilized to shield a child's head from sun exposure and other weather elements like rain, wind and snow. However, these shades lack proper protection. Improved shades have been designed to cover larger areas around the child's head and upper body, but proper protection to the torso and legs still lacks. Furthermore, covers, in addition to the shade, are utilized to completely encase the child when raining for prohibiting the child from becoming wet. Blankets are also utilized to protect the child's lower extremities but rarely stay in place and are useless in the rain because they get wet. Despite all the different shades, covers and blankets available, a properly designed blanket that covers the lower extremities and protects against sun exposure and the elements is still not available.
Several attempts have been made to design such blankets remedying the aforementioned disadvantages, but each has disadvantages of their own including U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,766 to Benway, U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,724 to Barnes, U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,395 to Morgan and U.S. Publication No. 2008/0222809 to Okell.
As such, while this art may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, it would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
The present invention seeks to solve the aforementioned problem, by providing a removable means for protecting a child's lower extremities from sun exposure and weather elements
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a blanket with the ability to removably secure quickly to any desired stroller for covering the lower extremities.
Specifically, the present invention includes an SPF blanket that removably couples with a stroller. The blanket includes a fastening means designed to secure the top and bottom of the blanket in proper position over the lower extremities of the child.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a blanket is disclosed for covering a child seated in a stroller. The stroller has a seat, wheels and frame, wherein the frame includes a middle portion proximate the seat and a lower portion proximate the wheels. The blanket includes a material portion including a top edge and a bottom edge for covering the child's torso and legs thereunder. The blanket includes a first fastening means integrally coupled to the first edge of the material portion for attaching the blanket to the middle portion of the frame of the stroller. The blanket includes a second fastening means integrally coupled to the second edge of the material portion for attaching the blanket to the lower portion of the frame of the stroller proximate to the wheels. The first and second fastening means prohibit the blanket from falling off the child while traveling in the stroller and inhibit the blanket from being tangled in the wheels of the stroller.
The material portion is made from the group consisting of rayon, nylon, polyester, or spandex. The first fastening means includes a pair of elongated straps having adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the first fastening means includes a pair of elongated straps having fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the first fastening means includes at least one elongated strap having a plurality of snaps easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller.
The second fastening means includes a pair of elongated straps having adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the second fastening means includes a pair of elongated straps having fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the second fastening means includes at least one elongated strap having a plurality of snaps easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller.
The top or bottom edge may include a gripping portion.
In accordance with an additional embodiment a blanket is disclosed for covering a child seated in a stroller having a seat, wheels and frame, wherein the frame includes a middle portion proximate the seat and a lower portion proximate the wheels. The blanket includes an ultra-violet protective material portion including a top edge and a bottom edge for covering the child's torso and legs thereunder. The blanket includes a first adjustable fastening means including a pair of elongated straps, integrally coupled to the first edge of the material portion, for easily attaching to and detaching from the middle portion of the frame of the stroller. The blanket includes a second adjustable fastening means including a pair of elongated straps, integrally coupled to the second edge of the material portion, for easily attaching to and detaching from the lower portion of the frame of the stroller proximate to the wheels. The first and second fastening means prohibits the blanket from falling off the child while traveling in the stroller and inhibit the blanket from being tangled in the wheels of the stroller.
The pair of elongated straps of the first fastening means has adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the pair of elongated straps of the first fastening means has fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the pair of elongated straps of the first fastening means has snaps thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller.
The pair of elongated straps of the second fastening means has adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the pair of elongated straps of the second fastening means has fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller. Alternatively, the pair of elongated straps of the second fastening means has snaps thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the stroller.
The top or bottom edge may include a gripping portion.
In accordance with an additional embodiment a blanket is disclosed for covering a child seated in a stroller. The stroller has a seat, wheels and frame. The frame includes a middle portion proximate the seat and a lower portion proximate the wheels. The blanket includes an ultra-violet protective material portion including a top edge and a bottom edge for covering the child's torso and legs thereunder. The blanket includes a first fastening means including a pair of elongated straps having a gripping portion, integrally coupled to the first edge of the material portion, having adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the middle portion of the frame of the stroller. The blanket includes a second fastening means including at least one elongated strap having a gripping portion, integrally coupled to the second edge of the material portion. The second fastening means having a plurality of snaps coupled thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from the lower portion of the frame of the stroller proximate to the wheels. The first and second fastening means prohibit the blanket from falling off the child while traveling in the stroller and inhibit the blanket from being tangled in the wheels of the stroller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a stroller blanket as described in detail in the following specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stroller blanket of the present invention attached to the stroller;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the stroller blanket;

FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 4 is bottom view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a right view thereof.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a specially designed and manufactured stroller blanket. In its broadest context, illustrated in FIG. 1, the stroller blanket 10 is comprised of a substantially rectangular ultra-violet blocking rays material portion 12, secured to the stroller 20 by at least one fastening means 40. The stroller 30 includes a seat 32 for accepting the child therein and a frame 34 positioned adjacent the seat 32. The frame 34 includes a middle portion 34A proximate the seat and a lower portion 34B proximate the wheels 36.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the material portion 12 of the blanket 10 includes an inside and outside surface 14, 16 and an upper and lower end 18, 20. The upper end 18 includes a top edge 22 and the lower end 20 includes a bottom edge 24. Each edge 22, 24 includes a fastening means 40 for removably coupling the blanket to the stroller during use. Preferably, a first fastening means 40A couples to the top edge 22 of the material portion 12 of the blanket 10, while a second fastening means 40B couples to the bottom edge 24 of the material portion 12 of the blanket 10. Preferably, the first fastening means 40A includes a pair of elongated straps 42 coupled to the top edge 22 of the blanket. The pair of straps 42 wrap around the frame 34 of the stroller and adjustably secure thereabout by a buckle 44. Alternate fasteners including fastening ribbons, an elastic band, clip, snap, hook and loop fastener, or other like fastening mechanism are contemplated and included herein.
In the preferred embodiment, the pair of elongated straps 42 coupled to the top edge 22 of the blanket are preferably strips of material each having a distal end 42A. One distal end includes a female buckle 46 and the other distal end includes a male buckle 48. The male and female buckles 48, 46 fastener together and are adjustable in order to adjustable secure the top edge 22 of the blanket 10 around the frame 34 of the stroller 10 proximate the seat 32 such that the blanket substantially covers the torso and legs of the child.
In the preferred embodiment, the second fastening means 40B couples to the bottom edge 24 of the material portion 12 of the blanket 10 and includes one elongated strap 50 having a plurality of spaced apart male snaps 52 thereon. The bottom edge 24 of the outside surface 16 of the material portion 12 of the blanket 10 includes a plurality of spaced apart female snaps 54. With the blanket 10 in position covering the legs of the child while in the seat 34 of the stroller, the elongated strap 50 at the bottom edge 24 of the blanket 10 wraps around the frame of the stroller proximate the wheels 36. Specifically, the male snaps 52 of the elongated strap 50 securely fasten to at least one of the plurality of female snaps 54 along the bottom edge 24 of the outside surface 16 of the blanket 10, for securely holding the lower end 20 of the blanket 10 in position. Alternate fasteners including fastening ribbons, an elastic band, clip, buckle, hook and loop fastener, or other like fastening mechanism are contemplated and included herein.
Preferably, the inside portion 16 of the lower end 20 of the blanket 10 and strap 50 includes an elongated strip of gripping material 60 for further aiding the lower end 20 of the material portion 12 of the blanket 10 in staying in secure position covering the child. Alternate embodiments may utilize gripping material along the inside surface of the upper end of the material portion of the blanket or elsewhere along the material portion as desired.
In alternate embodiments, only the upper end 18 of the material portion of the blanket may include a fastening means for simply securing only the top of the blanket to the stroller.
The material portion may be comprised of material from the group consisting of fabric, leather, wool, nylon, rayon, linen, and which has attributes that may include stretching, bending, blocking ultra violate rays and all other harmful rays, water resilient, and waterproof. All other materials and attributes are contemplated and considered a variation within the scope of the present invention.
In use, a mother secures the blanket to the stroller for covering their child's lower extremities. After the child is seated in the stroller and buckled in, the straps along the top edge are secured around the frame of the stroller and fastened together by the buckle. The material portion is then arranged over the lower extremities of the child, such that the child is blocked from harmful sun exposure or other weather elements. The upper end of the material portion of the blanket is then secured above the bottom of the frame of the stroller by wrapping the strap therearound and securing thereto by means of the snaps.
In conclusion, herein is presented a stroller blanket having a fastening mechanism. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims

Claims

I claim:

1. A blanket for covering a child seated in a stroller having a seat, wheels and frame, wherein the frame includes a middle portion proximate said seat and a lower portion proximate said wheels, the blanket comprising:

a material portion including a top edge and a bottom edge for covering the child's torso and legs thereunder;

a first fastening means integrally coupled to said first edge of said material portion for attaching the blanket to said middle portion of said frame of said stroller; and

a second fastening means integrally coupled to said second edge of said material portion for attaching the blanket to said lower portion of said frame of said stroller proximate to said wheels, wherein said first and second fastening means prohibit said blanket from falling off the child while traveling in said stroller and inhibit said blanket from being tangled in the wheels of said stroller.

2. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the material portion is made from the group consisting of rayon, nylon, polyester, or spandex.

3. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the first fastening means comprises a pair of elongated straps having adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

4. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the first fastening means comprises a pair of elongated straps having fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

5. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the first fastening means comprises at least one elongated strap having a plurality of snaps easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

6. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the second fastening means comprises a pair of elongated straps having adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

7. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the second fastening means comprises a pair of elongated straps having fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

8. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the second fastening means comprises at least one elongated strap having a plurality of snaps easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

9. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the top edge comprises a gripping portion.

10. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the bottom edge comprises a gripping portion.

11. A blanket for covering a child seated in a stroller having a seat, wheels and frame, wherein the frame includes a middle portion proximate said seat and a lower portion proximate said wheels, the blanket comprising:

an ultra-violet protective material portion including a top edge and a bottom edge for covering the child's torso and legs thereunder;

a first adjustable fastening means including a pair of elongated straps, integrally coupled to said first edge of said material portion, for easily attaching to and detaching from said middle portion of said frame of said stroller; and

a second adjustable fastening means including a pair of elongated straps, integrally coupled to said second edge of said material portion, for easily attaching to and detaching from said lower portion of said frame of said stroller proximate to said wheels, wherein said first and second fastening means prohibit said blanket from falling off the child while traveling in said stroller and inhibit said blanket from being tangled in the wheels of said stroller.

12. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the pair of elongated straps of the first fastening means has adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

13. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the pair of elongated straps of the first fastening means has fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

14. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the pair of elongated straps of the first fastening means has snaps thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

15. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the pair of elongated straps of the second fastening means has adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

16. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the pair of elongated straps of the second fastening means has fastening ribbons having hook and loop fasteners attached thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

17. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the pair of elongated straps of the second fastening means has snaps thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said stroller.

18. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the top edge comprises a gripping portion.

19. The blanket of claim 11 wherein the bottom edge comprises a gripping portion.

20. A blanket for covering a child seated in a stroller having a seat, wheels and frame, wherein the frame includes a middle portion proximate said seat and a lower portion proximate said wheels, the blanket comprising:

a first fastening means including a pair of elongated straps having a gripping portion, integrally coupled to said first edge of said material portion, having adjustable fastening buckles thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said middle portion of said frame of said stroller; and

a second fastening means including at least one elongated strap having a gripping portion, integrally coupled to said second edge of said material portion, having a plurality of snaps coupled thereto for easily attaching to and detaching from said lower portion of said frame of said stroller proximate to said wheels, wherein said first and second fastening means prohibit said blanket from falling off the child while traveling in said stroller and inhibit said blanket from being tangled in the wheels of said stroller.