Bib for a Child in a High Chair

The present invention relates to a bib for a child in a high chair, and in particular a bib that protects a lower half of the child and/or at least part of the high chair.

When a child is being fed, particularly an infant or a child of a young age, he or she will typically be outfitted with a bib. A bib is basically a shaped fabric, or plastic, garment which is usually tied or otherwise secured around the child' s neck - a portion of the garment extending downwards so as to catch any food which falls out of the child' s mouth or is otherwise spilled.

It is usual to feed an infant in a high chair - a chair adapted for infants to sit in which raises them to a height which, for example, might be roughly level with a table at which the child's parent is sat. High chairs typically have strap or straps which secure the child and prevent them from falling or slipping out of the seat.

These straps are usually fabric, and in many cases comprise a webbing material. When food falls onto the straps, it is quite often stuck there and may be very difficult to remove. Standard bibs however do not protect high chair straps from food or other spills, and furthermore normally afford protection to only a small fraction of a child's body.

It is therefore an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a bib that obviates and mitigates one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Furthermore, it is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a bib that protects parts of a high chair .

Moreover, it is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a bib that protects parts of a child not protected by bibs of the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bib for wear by a child in a high chair of the kind comprising one or more straps, the bib comprising: an upper portion comprising first attachment means for attaching the bib to a wearer; and a lower portion comprising an elongate surface sized to cover at least a portion of the wearer below the waist .

Most preferably, the lower portion is sized so as to protect one or more straps of the high chair.

Preferably, the lower portion is sized to extend beyond the feet of the wearer.

Preferably, the bib further comprises sleeves integrally formed with the material of the bib and shaped to receive the arms of a wearer. Optionally, the sleeves are sized so as to protect an area of the wearer' s arms at least as far as the wrist.

Preferably, the lower portion comprises a retaining section shaped to receive the feet of a wearer. Optionally, the retaining section is further adapted to receive a footrest of a high chair when in use. Preferably, the retaining section is shaped so as to be held in place when it receives the feet of a wearer and/or the footrest of the high chair.

Preferably, the retaining section comprises an elastic portion which acts to shape the retaining section at least partially around the feet of a wearer and/or around the footrest of the high chair. Preferably, the retaining section thereby releasably retains the feet or the footrest.

Optionally, the lower portion is extendable. Optionally, the lower portion comprises a flexible section which acts to allow a wearer to bend their knees. The flexible section may be hinged, articulated or concertina in shape .

Alternatively, the lower portion may be sized so as to extend beyond the feet of a wearer. The lower portion may be sized so as to permit a distal end of the bib to

hang over the feet of the wearer and a footrest of the high chair.

Optionally, the bib further comprises second attachment means adapted to attach the bib to a high chair when in use. The second attachment means may comprise straps or ties. The straps may be of the kinds which are fastened using buckles, buttons, press-studs, hook-and-loop fastenings or the like.

Optionally, the straps are sized so as to allow them to be fastened beneath the wearer. Alternatively, the straps are sized so as to allow them to be fastened underneath a seat of the high chair. Preferably, the straps are integrally formed with the material of the bib.

Preferably, the first attachment means comprises a substantially U-shaped portion having hook-and-loop fastenings at opposing ends thereof, for fastening around the neck of a wearer.

Alternatively, the first attachment means comprises an aperture in the upper portion through which the wearer' s head is passed. Preferably, the aperture is elliptical.

Optionally, the upper portion comprises an opening surrounding the elliptical aperture through which the wearer's arms extend. Preferably, the opening is substantially U-shaped. Preferably, the opening surrounds the elliptical aperture.

Optionally, the upper portion further comprises flexible portions located on at or near the opening so as to locate under a wearer's arms when in use.

Optionally, the upper portion further comprises an elongate flap which in use extends over a seat back of the high chair.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 illustrates in schematic form a child in a high chair wearing a bib in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates in schematic form the bib shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates in schematic form a side view of the child wearing the bib;

Figure 4 illustrates in schematic form a cross section through a lower portion of the bib;

Figure 5 illustrates in schematic form an alternative bib comprising a strap for attachment to the high chair;

Figure 6 illustrates in schematic form the alternative bib attached to a high chair;

Figure 7 illustrates in schematic form a further alternative bib having an upper portion which protects the seat back of a high chair;

Figure 8 illustrates in schematic form a child in a high chair wearing another alternative bib in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 9 illustrates in schematic form the bib shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 illustrates in schematic form a side view of the child wearing the bib shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 illustrates in schematic form a cross section through a lower portion of the bib shown in Figure 8;

Figure 12 illustrates in schematic form a yet further alternative bib comprising a strap for attachment to the high chair; and

Figure 13 illustrates in schematic form the bib shown in Figure 12 attached to a high chair.

With reference to Figure 1 (and Figures 2 to 4), there is presented a bib 1 worn by a child 3 in a high chair 5 that functions to protect the child 3 and/or parts of the high chair 5 as described in detail below.

The bib 1 has a neck attachment 7 which comprises a U- shaped (or C-shaped) arrangement with hook 9 and loop 11 fasteners at each end thereof. The hook 9 and loop 11

fasteners act to fix the top end of the bib around the neck of the child 3. The bib 1 extends downwards, under table 13 to a foot end 15. At the foot end 15 the bib folds back on itself to form an overlap 17. This overlap 17, in use, extends over the child's feet 19 and over the footrest 21 of the high chair 5.

The overlap 17 can be elasticated to allow it to be extended over the wearer's feet 19 and the footrest 21 whereupon the elasticity of the overlap will hold it in place. The material of the overlap 17 itself can be elastic or alternatively an edge 23 of the overlap 17 can be elasticated.

The bib 1 can be elongated to accommodate different sizes of child. Not only can the material of the bib 1 itself be elastic, but a specific elasticated portion 25, which is illustrated schematically by a concertinaed section of the bib material, allows not only for extension of the bib 1 without overly stretching the material, but it allows for a degree of flexibility of the bib 1, and allows the bib to fit over the knee of a wearer 3. Spills, crumbs and the like can run along the length of the bib and fall onto the floor, or be held on the bib and wiped off, or the bib cleaned after use.

In an alternative embodiment, the bib 101 can comprise a strap 127 which serves to attach the bib to high chair 105. The strap extends from one side of the bib to the other where it is attached by way of a hook 129 and loop 131 fastener. This holds the bib 101 in place around a mid-section of the child 103 so as to prevent slippage, while similarly to bib 1, an overlap 117 holds a lower

end in place around the wearer's feet 119 and a footrest 121 of the high chair 105. If the bib 101 comprises an elastic material, the strap can also stretch the bib 101 laterally (c.f. the sides of bib 1 in Figure 3 and of bib 101 in Figure 6) .

Not only does this prevent slippage, but it also ensures that the strap 133 of the high chair 105 itself is protected from spillages. As mentioned above, these straps 133 are often made from webbing material and any ingress of food and liquids into the material is difficult to remove. By preventing this the lifetime of the straps and perhaps of the high chair itself is extended. Also, it can ensure that spillages are not trapped in gaps or grooves (e.g. 134) such as those at the join 134 between a seat 132 and a seat back 105.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative upper portion of a bib 201 which also extends protection over a seat back 235 of a high chair 205. Figure 7 (a) shows the upper portion when laid flat. The bib 201 can be seen to comprise an aperture 237 and a U-shaped (or C-shaped) opening 239 which partially surrounds the aperture 237 and defines a neck loop 241. Elasticated portions 243 are provided at each end of the U-shaped opening 239.

In use (and with reference to Figures 7 (b) and 7 (c) ) the head 204 of a child is inserted through the aperture 237 such that the neck loop 241 is around the child's neck and possibly resting on the child's shoulders. The U- shaped opening 239 also allows the child's arms 245 to pass through the bib 201. The elasticated portions 243 are flexible and sit under the child's arms 245 for

comfort. A top portion 247 of the bib 201 can then extend up, over, and behind the seat back 235. In this way the bib 201 also protects the upper parts of the high chair .

With reference to Figures 8 to 11, there is presented another alternative bib 301 worn by a child 303 in a high chair 305 that functions (similarly to the previously described bibs) to protect the child 303 and/or parts of the high chair 305 as described in detail below.

The bib 301 has a neck attachment 307 which comprises a U-shaped (or C-shaped) arrangement with hook 309 and loop 311 fasteners at each end thereof. The hook 309 and loop 311 fasteners act to fix the top end of the bib around the neck of the child 303. The bib 301 extends downwards, under table 313 to a foot end 315. In contrast with the bib illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 above, at the foot end 315 the bib 301 does not fold back on itself, rather the bib simply extends beyond the child's feet 319.

An optional elasticated portion 353 may be provided which will improve fit and comfort for the child 303. Also in this embodiment, the bib 301 has sleeves 353 to receive the arms of the child 303. Not only does this prevent spillage etc. onto the child's arms, but provides for additional comfort and security. Straps 327 are also provided which are integrally formed with the main body of the bib 301. These straps 327 can be located across and over the side bars of any high chair and then be fastened beneath the chair or simply under the child 303 as illustrated. These straps 327 serve a dual purpose -

to hold the bib itself in place and also to prevent food from going down the sides of the chair.

In a yet further alternative embodiment, the bib 401 can comprise elongate straps 427 which serve to attach the bib to high chair 405. The straps 427 are sized so as to allow them to be fastened under the seat of the high chair rather than under the wearer (as illustrated in Figure 10. Again, this holds the bib 401 in place around a mid-section of the child 403 so as to prevent slippage, while similarly to bib 301, an overlap 417 extends protection over the wearer's feet 419 and a footrest 421 of the high chair 405.

A number of advantages can be had over the state of the art with regard to a number of features of the present invention. In the first instance, using an elongate bib means that the legs and feet of a child are protected from spillages. As conventional bibs protect only the torso of the child, there are clear advantages to be had.

A further advantage of aspects of the present invention is that providing an overlap at the bottom end of the bib may allow it to be secured over the feet of the wearer, and/or a footrest of the high chair. This ensures that the protection does indeed extend over the legs of the wearer .

An embodiment of the present invention is also disclosed which has an upper portion to protect a seat back of the high chair.

In summary, the present invention is a bib which is able to protect substantially more than a standard bib, in particular the lower parts of a child' s body such as the legs and feet, the strap or straps of a high chair, and the high chair itself.

Further modifications and improvements may be added without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, any combination of the abovementioned features may be used to arrive at a bib in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, the bib is not limited to manufacture or production in any particular material; any material suitable for acting as a protection from spillages and the like make be utilised.