| US6948991B2 | 2005-09-27 | |||
| US6537119B2 | 2003-03-25 | |||
| US6638126B2 | 2003-10-28 | |||
| US4800871A | 1989-01-31 | |||
| US3750205A | 1973-08-07 | |||
| DE20114178U1 | 2001-11-22 |
PATENT CLAIMS
1. A floating device for supporting babies or infants, which includes an annular body made of a material consisting of a density less than one; the body having a central aperture for allowing the head of a baby or infant to pass through; the body includes a slit separating two abutting ends adapted to be forced apart to allow insertion of the head of a baby or infant through the central aperture; and the body being adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the body is made of flexible material.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the body includes a recess adapted to support the chin of a baby or infant.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one fastener adapted to attach the body to a baby or infant.
5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is a soft material.
6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is rubber-like.
7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is a closed-cell material .
8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is poly-urethane and/or Neoprene.
9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is a closed cell, cross-linked expanded ethylene vinyl acetate foam .
10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding materials, in which the material is non-toxic.
11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body is constituted by an annular housing.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which the housing encloses a watertight chamber.
13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is moulded and/or blow-moulded.
14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes locking means adapted to lock the abutting ends releasably together.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14, in which the locking means includes at least one strap locking means.
16. A device as claimed in claim 14 or 15, which includes at least one clip.
17. A device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the locking means is removable.
18. A method of supporting the head of a baby or infant above the waterline, includes the step of providing a body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 around the neck of a baby or infant.
19. A floating device substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A method of supporting the head of a baby or infant above the waterline substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
COLLAR TO ASSIST FLOATING OF INFANTS
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a floating device.
More particularly, the invention relates to a floating device for aiding babies and infants to swim.
BACKGROUND TO INVENTION
Various types of floating aids for babies and infants are available, with the most common being the well-known inflatable arm rings. These floating aids provide sufficient support for children, but are inadequate for babies. To overcome this problem, inflatable neck support aids have been developed.
Unfortunately most inflatable neck support aids are uncomfortable for babies and can easily deflate as a result of piercing by some sharp or pointed object. Furthermore, the plastics material used often sticks to the baby's neck.
It is an object of the invention to suggest a floating device which will assist in overcoming the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention, a floating device for supporting babies or infants, includes an annular body made of a material consisting of a density less than one; the body having a central aperture for allowing the head of a baby or infant to pass through; the body includes a slit separating two abutting ends adapted to be forced apart to allow insertion of the head of a baby or infant through the central aperture; and the body being adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline.
Also according to the invention, a method of supporting the head of a baby or infant above the waterline, includes the step of providing a body as described herein around the neck of a baby or infant.
The body may be made of flexible material.
The body may include a recess adapted to support the chin of a baby or infant.
The device may include at least one fastener adapted to attach the body to a baby or infant.
The material may be a soft material.
The material may be rubber-like.
The material may be a closed-cell material.
The material may be poly-urethane and/or Neoprene.
The material may be a closed cell, cross-linked expanded ethylene vinyl acetate foam.
The material may be non-toxic.
The body may be constituted by an annular housing.
The housing may enclose a watertight chamber.
The device may be moulded and/or blow-moulded.
The device may include locking means adapted to lock the abutting ends releasably together.
The locking means may include at least one strap locking means.
The device may include at least one clip.
The locking means may be removable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.
In the drawings there is shown in :
Figure 1 : a perspective view of a floating device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2: a front view of the floating device as seen from arrow II in Figure 1;
Figure 3: a further side view of the floating device shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4: a further perspective view of the floating device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5: a bottom perspective view of the floating device as shown in Figure 1; and
Figure 6: a sectional view of the floating device as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 7: a perspective view of a floating device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8: a front view of the floating device as seen from arrow VIII in Figure 7;
Figure 9: a plan view of the floating device as seen from arrow IX in Figure 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a floating device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown.
The floating device 10 for supporting babies or small children, includes a non- deflatable body 12 adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline, the body made of a material adapted to float on water. The baby can be a new-born baby.
The floating device 10 is located around the neck of a baby or infant. This is achieved in that the body 12 is spherical.
The body 12 is made of a soft material. Preferably this material is a closed cell, cross-linked expanded ethylene vinyl acetate foam.
The material may however also be rubber-like and consist of a closed-cell material, be poly-urethane and/or neoprene.
The material is adapted not to stick to the skin of the baby or infant.
The body 12 is flexible to assist the baby or infant wearing the device 10.
The body 12 includes a recess (not shown) adapted to support the back of the baby or infant's head. The body 12 also includes a recess 14 adapted to support the chin of the baby or infant.
Double clip fasteners (not shown) adapted to attach the body 12 to the baby or infant are also provided.
Referring to Figures 7 to 9, a floating device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 16, is shown.
The floating device 16 for supporting babies or small children, includes a non- deflatable body 18 adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline, the body made of a material adapted to float on water. The baby can be a new-born baby.
The floating device 16 is located around the neck of a baby or infant. This is achieved in that the body 18 is spherical.
The body 18 is made of a soft material. Preferably this material is a closed cell, cross-linked expanded ethylene vinyl acetate foam.
The material may however also be rubber-like and consist of a closed-cell material, be poly-urethane and/or neoprene.
The material is adapted not to stick to the skin of the baby or infant.
The body 18 is flexible to assist the baby or infant wearing the device 16.
The body 18 includes a recess 20 adapted to support the back of the baby or infant's head. The body 18 also includes a recess 22 adapted to support the chin of the baby or infant.
The body 18 is blow-moulded.
The body 18 includes a centre opening 24 adapted to receive the head of a baby or infant.
The body 18 includes a slit 26 adapted to provide the body 18 with a first end 28 and a second end 30 and adapted to allow the first end 28 and the second end 30 of the body to be forced apart to insert the head of the baby or infant into the centre opening 24.
The device 16 includes locking means 32 adapted to lock the first end 28 and the second end 30 of the body 18. The locking means 32 include strap locking means and clips 34 and 36.
The floating devices 10 and 16 according to the invention, thus provide a method of supporting the head of a baby or infant above the waterline, by means of a non-deflatable body 12 or 18 around the neck of a baby or infant, the body made of a material adapted to float on water. The floating devices 10 and 18 can thus assist a baby or infant to swim.
The advantages of the floating devices 10 and 18 in accordance with the invention is that it is non-deflatable, the device is made of a soft material and does not stick to the skin of babies and infants when the device is removed from the neck of the baby or infant. The floating device is more responsive to the infant's or babies' movements, is not restrictive and thus non- cumbersome and gives the baby or infant greater freedom of movement.
The floating devices 10 and 18 have the following benefits for the baby or infant:
1. Free movement in the water without any restraint enabling them to exercise freely.
2. Hydrostatic pressure on the body stimulates the excretory system so that jaundice is minimised.
3. The resistance of the water strengthens the baby or infant naturally.
4. Sensory stimulation is provided by the water enhances rapid cell firing so that body/brain connection development is enhanced.
5. Parent is able to bath without having to hold the baby's or infant's head above the water.
6. Warm water provide the infant or baby the sensation of the intrauterine experience without the restrictive movement.
7. The baby or child is fully and securely supported so that it is free to move around, thrust limbs, rest or sleep at will.
8. This activity stimulates the baby's or infant's audio, visual and tactile senses- which leads to the baby swimming sooner than the average due to the uninterrupted exposure to water from birth, during which the innate swimming reflexes are exercised and honed.
9. Babies and infants appear to be more alert after a few sessions than babies or infants no exposed.
10. Infants or babies feed better and are more peaceful after session with the floating devices 10 and 16 in water.
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