US20050269849A1

US20050269849A1 - Baby couch seat

Info

Publication number: US20050269849A1
Application number: US10/862,489
Authority: US
Inventors: Sherry Mathis; Virginia Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-07
Filing date: 2004-06-07
Publication date: 2005-12-08

Abstract

A baby couch seat (1) for being positioned on a seat of an adult couch (10) or adult seat (32) and buttressed against a back of the adult couch or seat has a seat base (2), a seat back (3) and border (4) made of softly and thickly cushioned material (11) covered with a covering material (38). The seat base seats a baby (49) high enough to prevent its feet (50) from reaching the seat of the adult couch while resting the baby's legs on a slightly slanted front of the soft, thickly cushioned material. A soft security strap (12) is attachable adjustably to the seat back above the baby's shoulders and extended to the seat base in front of the baby to prevent it from sliding or falling. An activity bar (13) that is adjustable across the front of the baby couch seat positions desired baby toys (14) for ease of the baby's access. Covering material with selectively aesthetic fabric covering over pliable plastic is attachable and detachable to baby-use surfaces and to ornamental portions for easy and convenient sanitation and aesthetics. The baby couch seat is preferably wide enough to prevent it from tipping due to baby movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to baby seats that can be placed on an adult couch, other adult seat or a generally horizontal surface and hold a baby securely and comfortably in a sitting position.
2. Relation to Prior Art
There are numerous known baby seats which include baby highchairs, car seats, baby back packs, back-strap seats, strollers, swings and carriages.
None are known, however, to provide a baby with soft, cushiony, secure, entertaining and sanitary seating on an adult couch or other adult seat or suitable horizontal surface in a manner taught by this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention are to provide a baby couch seat which:

- allows comfortable, secure, entertaining and convenient placement of baby sitting or optionally sleeping nearly anywhere desired;
- has soft, cushiony covering for baby-seat comfort;
- can have soft, cushiony borders for holding a baby from falling off sidewards;
- makes baby toys easily accessible to the baby;
- has soft, cushiony security straps and a bar for securing the baby to the seat while active and while sleeping;
- supports sanitary covering which can be replaceable for cleaning and for aesthetics;
- can be placed on an adult couch or other adult seat;
- can have optional positioning attachments for attaching the baby couch seat wherever desired as an option to being positioned on an adult couch;
- can be placed on optionally a floor, lawn, table or other horizontal surface; and
- can be tilted on a horizontal surface to partially reclining orientation for an optional sleeping mode.

This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a baby couch seat articulated for being positioned on a seat of an adult couch and buttressed against a back of the adult seat. A seat base, a seat back and optionally raised border walls of the baby couch seat are made of softly and thickly cushioned sponge material. The seat base seats a baby high enough to prevent its feet from reaching the seat of the adult couch while resting the baby's legs on a slightly slanted front of the soft, thickly cushioned sponge material. A soft security strap is attachable adjustably to the seat back above the baby's shoulders and extended to the seat base in front of the baby to prevent the baby from sliding or falling. A cushioned activity bar that is adjustable across the front of the baby couch seat positions desired toys for ease of the baby's access. Liner padding with selectively aesthetic fabric covering over pliable plastic is attachable and detachable to baby-use surfaces and to ornamental portions for easy and convenient sanitation and aesthetics. The baby couch seat is preferably wide enough to prevent it from tipping due to baby movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

This invention is described by appended claims in relation to description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are explained briefly as follows:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the baby couch seat on an adult couch or sofa;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view through section line 1-1 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view through section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the baby couch seat that is tipped forty-five degrees to show backs of a seat-base portion and a seat-back portion;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the baby couch seat showing attachment components;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the baby couch seat showing attachment of decorative items;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the baby couch seat showing attachment of baby bedding over a seat cover;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the baby couch seat on an armed chair;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the FIG. 8 illustration;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the baby couch seat on a chair without arms and having a chair latch to keep it from sliding and tipping;
FIG. 11 is a front view of the FIG. 10 illustration;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the baby couch seat on a vehicle seat;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the baby couch seat on a metallic park bench;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the baby couch seat on a swing seat;
FIG. 15 is a side view of the baby couch seat supported by a back prop on a floor, lawn, bed or other generally horizontal surface;
FIG. 16 is a rear view of the FIG. 15 illustration; and
FIG. 17 is a side view of the baby couch seat supported by a back prop on a table or other generally horizontal surface;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A description of the preferred embodiment of this invention follows a list of numbered terms which designate its features with the same numbers on the drawings and in parentheses throughout the description and throughout the patent claims.

1. Baby couch seat
2. Seat base
3. Seat back
4. Border
5. Adult-couch seat
6. Couch back
7. First side
8. Second side
9. Baby-couch dihedral
10. Adult couch
11. Cushioned material
12. Security strap
13. Activity bar
14. Baby toys
15. Dihedral surface
16. Foam rubber
17. Fabric fasteners
18. Velcro®
19. Buttons
20. Button holes
21. Snaps
22. Hooks
23. Hook orifices
24. Zippers
25. Pins
26. Rings
27. Baby-couch accessories
28. Seat covers
29. Decorative items
30. Liner padding
31. Baby bedding
32. Adult seat
33. Chairs
34. Vehicle seats
35. Benches
36. Swing seats
37. Couch pocket
38. Covering material
39. Handles
40. Back prop
41. Top straightener
42. Prop base
43. First prop side
44. Second prop side
45. Prop latch
46. Chair latch
47. Backtop
48. Latch fastener
49. Baby
50. Feet
51. Horizontal surface
52. Table

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a baby couch seat (1) has a seat base (2) with a seat back (3) and an optional border (4) which are made of predeterminedly soft, thickly cushioned material (11) that can be surfaced predeterminedly. The baby couch seat (1) is articulated for positioning of the seat base (2) on an adult-couch seat (5) and for buttressing of the seat back (3) against a couch back (6) of the adult-couch seat (5). The seat base (2) has a thickness height for positioning feet (50) of a baby (49) at a predetermined height above the adult-couch seat (5) when the baby (49) is seated on the baby couch seat (1).
The seat base (2) can include a predetermined width intermediate a first side (7) and a second side (8) in relationship to the thickness height of the baby couch seat (1) for providing non-tipping rigidity against foreseeable movement of a baby (49) on the baby couch seat (1).
The border (4), if used, is positioned proximate outside edges of the seat base (2) and the seat back (3). It can be raised outwardly a predetermined distance from the seat base (2) and the seat back (3) for restricting travel of the baby without unduly obstructing side view of the baby (49) by a caretaker or by the baby (49).
A security strap (12) is attached detachably intermediate an upper-back portion of the seat back (3) and a front portion of the seat base (2). The security strap (12) is articulated for holding the baby (49) securely and gently on the baby couch seat (1). A wide selection of security straps (12) are foreseeable. Most are adjustable. They can be articulated to obviate need for a raised border (4).
An activity bar (13) can be positioned across a front of the baby couch seat (1) intermediate proximate the first side (7) and the second side (8). The activity bar (13) is positioned selectively proximate a height vertically above the seat base (2) and selectively proximate a distance horizontally in front of the seat back (3) for positioning selected baby toys (14) thereon a desired baby-access distance from a front of a baby (49) sitting on the baby couch seat (1). Preferably, the activity bar (13) is rounded and non-invasive.
A baby-couch dihedral (9) articulated for matching a seating dihedral of an adult couch (10) of a predetermined class of adult couches is formed on a bottom of the seat base (2) and on a back surface of the seat back (3). The baby-couch dihedral (9) can include a non-slip dihedral surface (15) which is articulated to resist sliding on surfaces of the adult couch (10). For non-slipping, the dihedral surface (15) can include a predetermined foam rubber (16). Optionally, the cushioned material (11) can include the foam rubber (16).
Referring to FIGS. 5-7, fabric fasteners (17) articulated for fastening select baby-couch accessories (27) to the baby couch seat (1) can be positioned on predetermined surfaces of the baby couch seat (1). The fabric fasteners (17) are selected from a class of fasteners that includes Velcro® (18), buttons (19), button holes (20), snaps (21), hooks (22), hook orifices (23), zippers (24), pins (25) and rings (26).
The select baby-couch accessories (27) are selected from a class of baby-couch accessories (27) that include the security strap (12), a couch pocket (37), seat covers (28), decorative items (29) liner padding (30) and baby bedding (31).
The baby-couch dihedral (9) can be articulated for matching a seating dihedral of an adult seat (32) of a class of adult seats which includes predetermined chairs (33), vehicle seats (34), benches (35) and swing seats (36).
Surfacing of the cushioned material (11) of the baby couch seat (1) can include covering with a predetermined covering material (38) which can be removable or affixed unremovably. The covering material (38) can include a plasticized material that is surface-cleanable or a washable material.
The cushioned material (11) can be washable with the washable material affixed thereon.
The covering material (38) can include handles (39) for carrying the baby couch seat (1) from-place-to-place.
Referring to FIGS. 8-17, the baby couch seat (1) can have a back prop (40) attached predeterminedly to a back-top portion of the seat back (3) and extended downward selectively aft of the seat back (3) to parallelism with a bottom of the seat base (2) for maintaining the baby couch seat (1) in a predeterminedly upright position on a horizontal surface as shown in FIGS. 15-17. The back prop (40) can include a top straightener (41) positioned horizontally across the back-top portion. The back prop (40) can include a prop base (42) having a first prop side (43) and a second prop side (44) that are preferably proximate a baby-couch distance apart.
A prop latch (45) can be extended intermediate the prop base (42) and a bottom portion of the seat back (3) for maintaining a predetermined distance intermediate the seat back (3) and the prop base (42) with the back prop (40) being predeterminedly slanted for optionally baby-sitting and baby-sleeping orientational modes selectively.
A selection of back props (40) and prop latches (45) are foreseeable. Included can be rectangular back props (40) that obviate need for the top straightener (41) and rod back props (40) that can be rectangular, V-shaped or T-shaped and may or may not need the top straightener (41).
The back props (40) and their parts can be built into or attachable to the baby couch seat (1). Built-in embodiments can be particularly desirable for use of the baby couch seat (1) on horizontal surfaces wherever a caretaker might want to be and, therefore, to place the baby couch seat (1). On a table (52) shown in FIG. 17 in a kitchen, at a library, in an office, on a desk, on a coffee table, on an appropriate floor or on a horizontal surface (51) at an outing, at a picnic or anywhere else the caretaker might want to be with the baby (49) is suitable for baby care with the built-in back prop (40).
The prop latch (45) can be length-adjustable for predetermined adjustment of slant of the baby couch seat (1) between sitting and partially lying modes as desired for needs and interests of a baby (49) for activity and for resting or sleeping.
A dihedral angle of the baby-couch dihedral (9) can be made predeterminedly adjustable for embodiments with the adjustable prop latch (45).
As shown in FIGS. 10-11, a chair latch (46) articulated for being attached to a back top (47) of the chair (33) to keep the baby couch seat (1) from sliding or tipping off of the chair (33) can be positioned on a top-central portion of the baby couch seat (1). The chair latch (46) can have a latch fastener (48).
A baby can have its own baby couch seat (1) almost wherever a caretaker might like to be while caring for the baby.
A new and useful baby couch seat having been described, all such foreseeable modifications, adaptations, substitutions of equivalents, mathematical possibilities of combinations of parts, pluralities of parts, applications and forms thereof as described by the following claims and not precluded by prior art are included in this invention.

Claims

1. A baby couch seat comprising:

a seat base (2) with a seat back (3) and border (4) made of predeterminedly soft, thickly cushioned material (11) that is surfaced predeterminedly;

the baby couch seat (1) being articulated for positioning of the seat base (2) on an adult-couch seat (5) and for buttressing of the seat back (3) against a couch back (6) of the adult-couch seat (5);

the seat base (2) having a thickness height for positioning feet (50) of a baby (49) at a predetermined height above the adult-couch seat (5) when the baby (49) is seated on the baby couch seat (1);

the seat base (2) having a predetermined width intermediate a first side (7) and a second side (8) in relationship to the thickness height of the seat base (2) for providing predeterminedly non-tipping rigidity against foreseeable movement of a baby (49) on the baby couch seat (1);

the border (4) being positioned proximate outside edges of the seat base (2) and the seat back (3);

the border (4) being raised outwardly a predetermined distance from the seat base (2) and the seat back (3) for restricting travel of the baby without unduly obstructing side view of the baby;

a security strap (12) attached detachably intermediate an upper-back portion of the seat back (3) and a front portion of the seat base (2); and

the security strap (12) being articulated for holding the baby securely and gently on the baby couch seat (1).

2. The baby couch seat of claim 1 and further comprising:

an activity bar (13) across a front of the baby couch seat (1) intermediate proximate the first side (7) and the second side (8);

the activity bar (13) being positioned selectively proximate a height vertically above the seat base (2) and selectively proximate a distance horizontally in front of the seat back (3) for positioning selected baby toys (14) thereon a desired baby-access distance from a front of a baby (49) on the baby couch seat (1); and

the activity bar (13) being rounded and non-invasive.

3. The baby couch seat of claim 1 and further comprising:

a baby-couch dihedral (9) on a bottom of the seat base (2) and on a back surface of the seat back (3); and

the baby-couch dihedral (9) is articulated for matching a seating dihedral of an adult couch (10) of a predetermined class of adult couches.

4. The baby couch seat of claim 3 wherein:

the baby-couch dihedral (9) includes a dihedral surface (15) which is articulated to resist sliding on surfaces of the adult couch (10).

5. The baby couch seat of claim 4 wherein:

the dihedral surface (15) includes a predetermined foam rubber (16).

6. The baby couch seat of claim 1 wherein:

the cushioned material (11) includes the foam rubber (16).

7. The baby couch seat of claim 1 and further comprising:

fabric fasteners (17) positioned on predetermined surfaces of the baby couch seat (1).

8. The baby couch seat of claim 7 wherein:

the fabric fasteners (17) are articulated for fastening select baby-couch accessories (27) to the baby couch seat (1).

9. The baby couch seat of claim 8 wherein:

the fabric fasteners (17) are selected from a class of fasteners that includes Velcro® (18), buttons (19), button holes (20), snaps (21), hooks (22), hook orifices (23), zippers (24), pins (25) and rings (26).

10. The baby couch seat of claim 8 wherein:

the select baby-couch accessories (27) are selected from a class of baby-couch accessories (27) that include the security strap (12), a couch pocket (37), seat covers (28), decorative items (29) liner padding (30) and baby bedding (31).

11. The baby couch seat of claim 3 wherein:

the baby-couch dihedral (9) is articulated for matching a seating dihedral of an adult seat (32) of a class of adult seats which includes predetermined chairs (33), vehicle seats (34), benches (35) and swing seats (36).

12. The baby couch seat of claim 1 wherein:

surfacing of the cushioned material (11) of the baby couch seat (1) includes covering with a predetermined covering material (38).

13. The baby couch seat of claim 12 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes removable material.

14. The baby couch seat of claim 12 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes non-removable material.

15. The baby couch seat of claim 14 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes a plasticized material that is surface-cleanable.

16. The baby couch seat of claim 14 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes a washable material; and

the cushioned material (11) is washable with the washable material affixed thereon.

17. The baby couch seat of claim 12 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes the plasticized material that is surface-cleanable.

18. The baby couch seat of claim 12 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes the washable material.

19. The baby couch seat of claim 12 wherein:

the covering material (38) includes handles (39) for carrying the baby couch seat (1) from-place-to-place.

20. The baby couch seat of claim 1 and further comprising:

a back prop (40) attached predeterminedly to a back-top portion of the seat back (3) and extended downward selectively aft of the seat back (3) to proximate parallelism with a bottom of the seat base (2) for maintaining the baby couch seat (1) in a predeterminedly upright position on a horizontal surface.

21. The baby couch seat of claim 20 wherein:

the back prop (40) includes a top straightener (41) positioned horizontally across the back-top portion;

the back prop (40) includes a prop base (42) having a first prop side (43) and a second prop side (44); and

the first prop side (43) and the second prop side (44) are predeterminedly proximate a baby-couch width apart.

22. The baby couch seat of claim 20 and further comprising:

a prop latch (45) extended intermediate the prop base (42) and a bottom portion of the seat back (3) for maintaining a predetermined distance intermediate the seat back (3) and the prop base (42) with the back prop (40) being predeterminedly slanted for optionally baby-sitting and baby-sleeping orientational modes selectively.

23. The baby couch seat of claim 1 and further comprising:

a chair latch (46) positioned on a top-central portion of the baby couch seat (1); and

the chair latch (46) is articulated for being attached to a back top (47) of a chair (33) to keep the baby couch seat (1) from sliding or tipping off of the chair (33).

24. A baby couch seat comprising:

the seat base (2) having a predetermined width intermediate a first side (7) and a second side (8) in relationship to the thickness height of the seat base (2) for providing predeterminedly non-tipping rigidity against foreseeable movement of a baby on the baby couch seat (1);

a security strap (12) attached detachably intermediate an upper-back portion of the seat back (3) and a front portion of the seat base (2);

the security strap (12) being articulated for holding the baby securely and gently on the baby couch seat (1);

the activity bar (13) being positioned selectively proximate a height vertically above the seat base (2) and selectively proximate a distance horizontally in front of the seat back (3) for positioning selected baby toys (14) thereon a desired baby-access distance from a front of a baby (49) on the baby couch seat (1);

the activity bar (13) being rounded and non-invasive;

a baby-couch dihedral (9) on a bottom of the seat base (2) and on a back surface of the seat back (3);

the baby-couch dihedral (9) is articulated for matching a seating dihedral of an adult couch (10) of a predetermined class of adult couches; and

25. The baby couch seat of claim 24 wherein:

the dihedral surface (15) includes a predetermined foam rubber (16).

26. The baby couch seat of claim 24 wherein:

the cushioned material (11) includes the foam rubber (16).

27. The baby couch seat of claim 24 and further comprising:

28. The baby couch seat of claim 27 wherein:

29. The baby couch seat of claim 24 wherein:

30. The baby couch seat of claim 24 and further comprising:

31. The baby couch seat of claim 30 wherein:

32. The baby couch seat of claim 31 and further comprising:

a prop latch (45) extended intennediate the prop base (42) and a bottom portion of the seat back (3) for maintaining a predetermined distance intermediate the seat back (3) and the prop base (42) with the back prop (40) being predeterminedly slanted for optionally baby-sitting and baby-sleeping orientational modes selectively.

33. The baby couch seat of claim 24 and further comprising:

34. A baby couch seat comprising:

a seat base (2) with a seat back (3) made of predeterminedly soft, thickly cushioned material (11) that is surfaced predeterminedly;

35. The baby couch seat of claim 34 and further comprising:

the activity bar (13) being positioned selectively proximate a height vertically above the seat base (2) and selectively proximate a distance horizontally in front of the seat back (3) for positioning selected baby toys (14) thereon a desired baby-access distance from a front of a baby sitting on the baby couch seat (1); and

the activity bar (13) being rounded and non-invasive.

36. The baby couch seat of claim 34 and further comprising:

37. The baby couch seat of claim 36 wherein:

38. The baby couch seat of claim 34 and further comprising:

39. The baby couch seat of claim 38 wherein:

40. The baby couch seat of claim 39 and further comprising:

41. The baby couch seat of claim 34 and further comprising: