SEVENUS LAURA CECILIA TREGEAR (ZA)
| WO2007102131A1 | 2007-09-13 |
| US6948991B2 | 2005-09-27 | |||
| US6537119B2 | 2003-03-25 |
| PATENT CLAIMS 1 . A floating device for supporting babies, premature babies or infants, which includes (a) an annular body made of a material consisting of a density less than one; (b) the body having a central aperture for allowing the head of a baby or infant to pass through; (c) 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; a (d) the body being adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline; and (e) the body having a distributed buoyancy adapted to prevent the baby or infant from tipping and/or falling over. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body is made of EVA material. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the body is made of flexible material and/or soft material and/or rubber-like material. 4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body includes a recess adapted to support the chin of a baby or infant. 5. 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. 6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is a closed-cell material. 7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is be poly-urethane and/or Neoprene. 8. 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. 9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the material is non-toxic. 10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body is constituted by an annular housing. 1 1 . A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the housing encloses a watertight chamber. 12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is moulded and/or blow-moulded. 13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes locking means adapted to lock the abutting ends releasably together. 14. A device as claimed in claim 13, in which the locking means include at least one strap locking means. 15. A device as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the locking means includes at least one clip. 16. A device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, in which the locking means is removable. 17. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is very light in weight for the baby to wear especially just after it is fitted and before the baby is actually placed in the water. 18. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted to provide the baby an unrestricted 360 degrees view from an elevated position when in water. 19. A method of supporting the head of a baby, premature baby or infant above the waterline, includes the step of providing a floating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 around the neck of a baby or infant. 20. A floating device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 21 . A method of supporting the head of a baby or infant above the waterline substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a floating device.
More particularly, the present 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.
WO 2007102131 discloses a floating device for supporting babies or infants in water to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline. The floating device has an annular body made of a material with a density less than 1 kg/m 3 . The body has a central aperture for allowing the head of a baby or infant to pass through and 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.
However the biggest problem is that the buoyancy of the known floating devices causes the baby or infant to tip over. It is an object of the invention to suggest a floating device, which will assist in overcoming these problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention, a floating device for supporting babies, premature babies or infants, includes
(a) an annular body made of a material consisting of a density less than one;
(b) the body having a central aperture for allowing the head of a baby or infant to pass through;
(c) 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; a
(d) the body being adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline; and
(e) the body having a distributed buoyancy adapted to prevent the baby or infant from tipping and/or falling over.
Also according to the invention, a method of supporting the head of a baby, premature 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 EVA material.
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. The device may be very light in weight for the baby to wear especially just after it is fitted and before the baby is actually placed in the water.
The device may be adapted to provide the baby an unrestricted 360 degrees view from an elevated position when in water.
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 top view of the floating device according to the invention; and Figure 2: a sectional side view of the floating device as seen from arrows ll-ll in
Figure 1 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, a floating device in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown.
The floating device 10 for supporting babies or infants, includes
(a) an annular body 12 made of a material consisting of a density less than one;
(b) the body 12 having a central aperture 14 for allowing the head of a baby or infant to pass through; (c) the body 12 includes a slit 16 separating two abutting ends 18 and 20 adapted to be forced apart to allow insertion of the head of a baby or infant through the central aperture 14; a
(d) the body 12 being adapted to support the head of a baby or infant above the waterline; and
(e) the body 12 having a distributed buoyancy adapted to prevent the baby or infant from tipping and/or falling over.
The body 12 is made of EVA material.
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 12 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. The body 12 includes a recess adapted to support the back of the baby or infant's head. The body 12 also includes a recess 24 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.
The floating device 10 according to the invention, thus provides a method of supporting the head of a baby or infant above the waterline, by means of a non-deflatable body 12 around the neck of a baby or infant, the body 12 made of a material adapted to float on water. The floating device 10 can thus assist a baby or infant to swim.
The advantages of the floating device in accordance with the invention is that it is non- deflatable, the device 10 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 10 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 device 10 is very light in weight for the baby to wear especially just after it is fitted and before the baby is actually placed in the water. Inflatable version are much heavier.
The device 10 may be adapted to provide the baby an unrestricted 360 degrees view from an elevated position when in water. The known ones result in the babies to be somewhat sunken.
The floating device 10 have the following benefits for the baby or infant: Free movement in the water without any restraint enabling them to exercise freely. Hydrostatic pressure on the body stimulates the excretory system so that jaundice is minimised. The resistance of the water strengthens the baby or infant naturally. Sensory stimulation is provided by the water enhances rapid cell firing so that body/brain connection development is enhanced. Parent is able to bath without having to hold the baby's or infant's head above the water. Warm water provide the infant or baby the sensation of the intrauterine experience without the restrictive movement. The baby or child is fully and securely supported so that it is free to move around, thrust limbs, rest or sleep at will. 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. Babies and infants appear to be more alert after a few sessions than babies or infants no exposed. Infants or babies feed better and are more peaceful after session with the floating device in water.
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