Abstract
This Swaddle garment, the Second Skin Swaddle, is designed with a combination of simple and complex arches. These arches move and transition to support the mother and infant pre and post delivery. Multiple Swaddles sections are used to support hands-free holding for one or more infants.
Claims
1. An upper body baby carrier comprising a first asymmetric tubular piece and a second asymmetric tubular piece, each sized to fit around a person's trunk, wherein each asymmetric tubular piece comprises: a stretchable fabric forming the wall of the tubular piece; a first side of the wall having a first length and a second side of the wall having a second length, where the first side is opposite the second side and where the second length is greater than the first length, wherein the wall comprises a first end, a second end, and a mid-region located between the first end and the second end, wherein the circumference of the wall at the mid-region is greater than the circumference of the wall at the first end and the second end.
2. The upper body baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the second length is at least 15 inches.
3. The upper body baby carrier of claim 2, wherein the wall comprises two panels of fabric which are connected to each other at a first scam and a second seam, where the first seam is a straight seam and the second seam is a curved seam.
4. A method of carrying a baby comprising: obtaining an upper body baby carrier of claim 1; positioning the first asymmetric tubular piece on a body such that the first side of the wall is positioned above a right shoulder and the second side is positioned underneath the left shoulder, wherein the trunk of the body is positioned in the interior space of the first tubular piece; and positioning the second asymmetrical tubular piece on the body such that the first side of the wall is positioned above the left shoulder and the second side is positioned below the right shoulder, wherein the trunk of the body is positioned in the interior space of the second tubular piece; placing a baby between the body and the walls of the first and second tubular pieces.
5. An upper body baby carrier consisting of a first asymmetric tubular piece and a second asymmetric tubular piece, each: sized to fit around a person's trunk, wherein each asymmetric tubular piece comprises: a stretchable fabric forming the wall of the tubular piece; a first side of the wall having a first length and a second side of the wall having a second length, where the first side is opposite the second side and where the second length is greater than the first length; wherein the wall comprises a first end, a second end, and a mid-region located between the first end and the second end, wherein the circumference of the wall at the mid-region is greater than the circumference of the wall at the first end and the second end; and wherein the second length is 2 times greater than the first length.
6. An upper body baby carrier comprising a first asymmetric tubular piece, a second asymmetric tubular piece, and a third asymmetrical piece, each sized to fit around a person's trunk, wherein each asymmetric tubular piece comprises: a stretchable fabric forming the wall of the tubular piece; a first side of the wall having a first length and a second side of the wall having a second length, where the first side is opposite the second side and where the second length is greater than the first length.
7. An upper body baby carrier consisting of a first asymmetric tubular piece and a second asymmetric tubular piece, each: sized to fit around a person's trunk, wherein each asymmetric tubular piece comprises: a stretchable fabric forming the wall of the tubular piece; a first side of the wall having a first length and a second side of the wall having a second length, where the first side is opposite the second side and where the second length is greater than the first length; wherein the wall comprises a first end, a second end, and a mid-region located between the first end and the second end, wherein the circumference of the wall at the mid-region is greater than the circumference of the wall at the first end and the second end; and wherein the wall comprises two panels of fabric which are connected to each other at a first seam and a second seam, where the first seam is a straight seam and the second seam is a curved seam.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of the Swaddle body 10 forming the Parabolic Arch 20 consisting of a vertical arched front 12 between 12A and 12B and a straight back 14 between 14A and 14B.
(3) FIG. 2 shows the two flat sections of the Swaddle before being joined in back at 14 and in front at 12.
(4) FIG. 3 is a back view of the Swaddle body 10 joined by stretch seam at 14
(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of the Swaddle body 10 as worn by mother consisting of two identical sections joined in the center front at 12 and the center back at 14 by stretch seams.
(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the Swaddle 10 on the mother's body.
(7) FIG. 6 shows the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24 with the spring lines of support at center 24A, 24B right and 24C left. This is mirrored on the top and bottom of the Swaddle.
(8) FIG. 7 is a back view of the Swaddle body 10.
(9) FIG. 8 is a reclined flat view of mother with infant in the Swaddle. This view illustrates how the vertical arched front forms an Arcade of Arches 26 at 26A, 26B and 26C when infant is placed in the Swaddle
(10) FIG. 9 shows the Cascade of the Convex Arches 16C.
(11) FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the multi-flex breathe-through fabric and the flexibility of the stretch seam.
(12) FIG. 11 shows how the Swaddle allows the infant to lunge up to 6″ to and from mother's body during the Breast Crawl
(13) FIG. 12 shows how easy the infant can transition from the upright Skin to Skin position to the breastfeeding position.
(14) FIG. 13 is a side view of mother sliding one side of the Swaddle up on the shoulder to hold infant in the sling position
(15) FIG. 14 shows the placement of the Swaddle on shoulder which forms the pouch in body 10.
(16) FIG. 15 shows a second Swaddle placed over the first and spread over infant with the vertical arched seam in the front pulled up behind infant's neck and completely covering mother's torso forming the Circular Arch 20C.
(17) FIG. 16 shows the Second Swaddle pulled up on opposite shoulder forming a second pouch over the first pouch as in FIG. 14.
(18) FIG. 17 demonstrates how a twist is formed in the shoulder fabric to tighten the upper and lower edges of the front Convex Arches 16.
(19) FIG. 18 shows the twist in both shoulders and the Cascade of Convex Arches 16C are activated in both the Swaddles.
(20) FIG. 19 shows mother with infant in a hands-free hold with pouches formed in both swaddles
(21) FIG. 20 shows the back of the Swaddle when two sections are worn.
(22) FIG. 21 shows the placement of the flanges of the breast pump hands free on one or both sides with or without infant.
(23) FIG. 22 shows the placement of two flanges of the breast pump.
(24) FIG. 23 shows the addition of the third Swaddle section to hold twins.
(25) For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(26) The following detailed description represents the best currently contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
(27) This Swaddle garment is designed with a combination of simple and complex arches. These arches move and transition to support the mother and infant pre and post delivery. Multiple Swaddles sections are used to support hands-free holding for one or more infants.
(28) FIG. 1 is a side view of the Swaddle body 10 forming the Parabolic Arch 20 consisting of a vertical arched front 12 between 12A and 12B and a straight back 14 between 14A and 14B. The upper and lower sides of Swaddle body 10 are Parallel Arches 22 extending from 12A to 14A and 12B to 14B.
(29) FIG. 2 shows the two flat sections of the Swaddle before being joined in back at 14 and in front at 12.
(30) FIG. 3 is a back view of the Swaddle body 10 joined by stretch seam at 14. The upper backs form a Concave Arch 18 in both the upper and lower back. The Swaddle body completely encircles mother. The Swaddle body 10 can also be knitted as one piece, meeting the outlined descriptions of the seamed garment.
(31) FIG. 4 is a front view of the Swaddle body 10 as worn by mother consisting of two identical sections joined in the center front at 12 and the center back at 14 by stretch seams. The front upper side and front lower sides form Convex Arches 16.
(32) FIG. 5 is a side view of the Swaddle 10 on the mother's body. The Parabolic Arch 20 becomes a Circular Arch 20C, conforming to the natural arches of mother and encircling her body which is the axis for the Circular Arch 20C. The Parallel Arch 22 shapes the upper and lower sides of the Swaddle running from 12A to 14A and 12B to 14B. The Parallel Arches 22 give flexibility as each pivot between the Convex Arched front and the Concave Arched back on both the upper and lower sides. The straight back 14 conforms to the curvature of the mother's body and becomes a Concave Arch 14C between 14A and 14B. The Circular Arch 20C front gives vertical and horizontal support for the infant's torso.
(33) FIG. 6 shows the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24 with the spring lines of support at center 24A, 24B right and 24C left. This is mirrored on the top and bottom of the Swaddle. The 3 Point Hinged Arch gives vertical and horizontal support to the upper front for the head and neck of the infant and the lower front supports the infant's feet and legs.
(34) FIG. 7 is a back view of the Swaddle body 10. The Three Point Hinged Arch 24 centers on the upper and lower center back. The spring lines of support are 24A at the center, 24B right and 24C left on the upper and lower side of Swaddle body 10.
(35) FIG. 8 is a reclined flat view of mother with infant in the Swaddle. This view illustrates how the vertical arched front forms an Arcade of Arches 26 at 26A, 26B and 26C when infant is placed in the Swaddle. The spring-line points of the Arcade of Arches 26 are at 26A, which is also the base of infant's neck and head, 26B, which is just beneath the infant's bottom and 26C, which is just beneath the infant's feet. The Arcade of Arches 26 provides additional vertical and horizontal support for the infant.
(36) FIG. 9 shows the Cascade of the Convex Arches 16C. These are formed by the expansion of fabric when the infant is placed in the Swaddle body 10 forming a Cascade of Convex Arches 16C. This forms an accordion fold expansion providing the flexible horizontal and vertical support needed for the infant's head and neck in various newborn movements.
(37) FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the multi-flex breathe-through fabric and the flexibility of the stretch seam. The multi-flex breathe-through fabric enables easy infant movement preventing infant breathing restriction. This stretch of the fabric works in tandem with the arches to safely and flexibly support the positioning of the infant to provide comfort and safety.
(38) FIG. 11 shows how the Swaddle allows the infant to lunge up to 6″ to and from mother's body during the Breast Crawl occurring immediately after birth for 60 to 90 minutes. The infant will lunge to and from mother's body 5 to 6 times in his journey to the breast. This activates a number of arches of support, the Circular Arch 20C, the Arcade of Arches 26, with the spring line of support at 26A, 26C, support the torso of the infant. The Convex Cascade of Arches 16C, the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24 with spring lines of support at 24A, 24B, and 24C support the head and neck. These arches work in tandem to support the infant's upper and mid torso. The infant's lower torso is supported by the Circular Arch 20C, Convex Arch 16, the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24 with spring lines of support at 24A, 24B, 24C. These work in tandem to flexibility support the infant's lower torso to prevent flipping and falling.
(39) FIG. 12 shows how easy the infant can transition from the upright Skin to Skin position to the breastfeeding position. The infant's head and neck are flexibly supported horizontally by the Cascade of Arches 16C that work in tandem with the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24A,B,C, to support the infant on the upper side of the breast, with head and nose in sniffing position. The vertical and horizontal support of The Circular Arch 20C and the Arcade of Arches 26A, 26B, 26C, provide vertical and horizontal support of the infant's torso work in tandem with multi-flex fabric and the stretch seams to allow the torso of the infant to easily move without sliding down into the body of the Swaddle. The length of the Swaddle Body 10 completely covers and supports the infant when infant's torso is fully extended and parallel to mother. The Convex Arch 16 and the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24, at 24A, 24B, 24C, flexibly supports the infant's feet and legs to promote successful breastfeeding.
(40) FIG. 13 is a side view of mother sliding one side of the Swaddle up on the shoulder to hold infant in the sling position. The Parallel Arches 22 of the upper and lower sides pivot between the Concave Arch 18 of the back and the Convex Arch 16 of the front on both the upper and lower sides for easy and comfortable movement of the Swaddle to the shoulder position.
(41) FIG. 14 shows the placement of the Swaddle on shoulder which forms the pouch in body 10. The weight of the infant and the tension placed on the shoulder side of the Swaddle tighten the Convex Arches 16 of the upper and lower fronts of the Swaddle to form a pouch. This pouch evenly distributes the weight of the infant due the Circular Arch 20C, the multi-flex fabric and the arched stretch seam. The Cascade of Convex Arches 16C are formed in accordion like folds support infant's neck and head for easy and safe movement.
(42) FIG. 15 shows a second Swaddle placed over the first and spread over infant with the vertical Arched seam in the front pulled up behind infant's neck and completely covering mother's torso forming the Circular Arch 20C; the 3 Point Hinged Arch 24 is activated in the center front of both sections. The Convex Cascade of Arches 16C is formed in both sections giving additional support for infant's head and neck. This second Swaddle gives more support for mother to have freedom of movement and complete coverage of her torso.
(43) FIG. 16 shows the Second Swaddle pulled up on opposite shoulder forming a second pouch over the first pouch as in FIG. 14. The Convex Cascade of Arches 16C, the 3 Point Hinged Arch. The two Swaddles give the support needed for the infant to be carried and allow mother to be hands free. The twist in the shoulder tightens the edges of the Convex Arches.
(44) FIG. 17 demonstrates how a twist is formed in the shoulder fabric to tighten the upper and lower edges of the front Convex Arches 16. This is done by sliding your hand under the shoulder fabric and grasping the inside edge of the fabric and pulling it under the shoulder to form a twist. This tightens the front edges of the Convex Arches 16 of the upper and lower Swaddle fronts.
(45) FIG. 18 shows the twist in both shoulders and the Cascade of Convex Arches 16C are activated in both the Swaddles.
(46) FIG. 19 shows mother with infant in a hands-free hold with pouches formed in both swaddles by the weight of the infant and the tension placed on the Convex Arches 16 when the Swaddle is placed on the shoulder. The Circular Arch 20C works in tandem with the Parallel Arches, the Arcade of Arches 26A, 26B and 26C, the multi-stretch fabric and stretch seam to give even weight distribution without creating pressure points. The Cascade of Convex Arches 16C in combination with the 3 Point Hinged Arches 24 provides flexible support for the infant's neck and head.
(47) FIG. 20 shows the back of the Swaddle when two sections are worn. The Parallel Arches 22 of the upper and lower sides pivot between the Concave Arch 18 of the back and the Convex Arch 16 of the front on both the upper and lower sides for easy and comfortable movement of the Swaddle to the shoulder position. The 3 Point Hinged Arches 24 of the upper and lower back, allow easy movement for comfort and support in the crossover back.
(48) FIG. 21 shows the placement of the flanges of the breast pump. This is possible because of the Convex Arches 16 of the upper and lower edges, are tightened when the Swaddle sections are placed on the shoulder. These edges hold the flanges in place when two Swaddles are placed in the crossover position. Mother can pump hands free on one or both sides with or without infant.
(49) FIG. 22 shows the placement of two flanges of the breast pump. Mother can pump hands free with or without the infant.
(50) FIG. 23 shows the addition of the third Swaddle section to hold twins.
(51) Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
(52) Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters of Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
