US3850393A

US3850393A - Baby bottle holder

Info

Publication number: US3850393A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Marquard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-11-15
Filing date: 1972-11-15
Publication date: 1974-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-26

Abstract

A versatile clamp or support is disclosed for alternate use with a neck strap or a stand which facilitates the proper positioning of a baby bottle during the feeding of a baby. With the clamp or support suspended from the neck strap the bottle can be positioned in a number of feeding attitudes for the baby, cradled in the user''s lap or in one or both arms. In another embodiment the clamp or support can be used with the stand which rests upon a planar surface, such as the baby''s bed, providing means whereby the bottle can be moved into a number of still different positions in relation to the baby for proper unattended feeding.

Description

llnite States Patent [191 Marquard 1 Nov. 26, 1974 1 BABY BOTTLE HOLDER [76] Inventor: Harold J. Marquard, 2444 N.

Harding, Chicago, 111. 60647 [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 306,596

[52] U.S. Cl. 248/102 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 15/00 [58] Field of Search 248/102, 103, 104, 105,

248/106, 107; 24/D1G. 8; 224/5 P, 5 R, 12;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.688.765 10/1928 Veras 248/103 2.269.609 1/1942 Taylor 248/107 2.494.632 1/1950 Rodin 248/102 2.496.527 2/1950 Forrest 1 248/107 2.558.978 7/1951 Pettit 248/106 2.676.821 4/1954 Reichelderfer 403/146 2.893.672 7/1959 Vardan 248/102 Primary ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarbaugh and Thomas 5 7 ABSTRACT A versatile clamp or support is disclosed for alternate use with a neck strap or a stand which facilitates the proper positioning of a baby bottle during the feeding of a baby. With the clamp or support suspended from the neck strap the bottle can be positioned in a number of feeding attitudes for the baby, cradled in the users lap or in one or both arms. In another embodiment the clamp or support can be used with the stand which rests upon a planar surface, such as the babys bed, providing means whereby the bottle can be moved into a number of still different positions in relation to the baby for proper unattended feeding.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures BABY BOTTLE HOLDER BACKGROUND The prior art baby bottle holders are mainly directed to strap-suspended wrap-around type pouches, generally of elastic material wherein the strap can be lengthened or shortened and the angular attitude of the bottle depends on the rotational position of the strap upon the back of the wearers neck or the lateral positioning of the ends of the strap, at the bottle holder, to tilt the holder on a transverse axis. The prior art devices vary from the simple to the complicated and because of their peculiar structures and insecure adjustments have not met with much sales appeal. Further the prior art does not provide for alternate use of the holders with a stand when the child is to be fed in his crib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to provide a baby bottle holder of simple construction, that is easily cleaned and sanitized, involves no elastic or other deteriorating materials and provides the necessary versatility for use on the person feeding the baby or as a support for the bottle in the babys crib or the like. The support or clamp for the bottle is pivotally or rotatably mounted on a base member that hangs comfortably from the neck of the user by means of an easily adjusted strap. The base member is sufficiently resilient or pliable so as to be comfortable to handle and wear. Layers or patches of matted soft plastic fibers on the base and on the ends of the strap provide universal fastening means. The elevation and angular position of the bottle are thus under positive control to a number of fixed positions.

A stand is provided with a snap-on arcuate top member which presents an upper rounded surface of similar matted plastic fibers as the universal fastening means for the base and bottle clamp combination when the strap is not in use. Since the base is pliable it can be arched and placed on the arcuate top supported by the stand in a number of angular positions to raise and lower the bottle tip in relation to the plane bottom of the stand, while at the same time the bottle and its clamp or support can be rotated on an axis normal to the arched top member to provide further cooperative adjustability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the nursing bottle holder in position for nursing on a mothers breast and showing the baby feeding from the bottle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nursing bottle holder of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, like that of FIG. 3, but showing a modified support or clamp for a baby bottle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bottle holder of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 attached to a stand for use in the baby's crib;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the detachable top of the stand;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to illustrate the various positions the base can assume against the top of the stand;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the internal frame of the stand and its assembly with protective soft rubber hose sections; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the stand.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings FIG. 1 shows the bottle holder 10 having the pliable base member 12 attached to the U-shaped clamp 14, which assembly is held across the breast of the mother by means of the strap 16. The bottle 18 is received within the clamp 14 in proper orientation with the feeding baby.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the strap has the patches 20 of matted plastic fibers at each end and the back side 22 of the base 12 is covered with a similar mat of plastic fibers 24 to which the respective patches 20 adhere in a known manner when these parts are brought together with a slight pressure.

The U-shaped clamp 14 is tubular in form and the

ends

26 and 28 are flared or turned in opposite directions to define the wide slot opening 30 to receive the bottle 18 therethrough. The clamp 14 can be made of tough plastic or spring-type metal in order to impart the necessary spring action to open and allow the entry of the bottle.

Opposite the opening 30, the flat projecting boss 32 is provided with a central bore 34 to receive the rivet 36 which extends through a corresponding bore 38 of the base 12. The base 12 is generally triangular in shape with rounded corners and the bore 38 may be located substantially at the geometric center of the base. The rivet 36 has the flanged head 40 on the back side of base 12 and the shank 42 thereof extends through the bottom of the clamp 14 where it is peened, as at 44 over the retaining washer 46. If desired the rivet 36 and its washer 46 can be reversed from the relationship shown. This forms a rotatable mounting so that the clamp 14 can be rotated 360 about the axis of the shank 42 of the rivet 36, in either direction.

The spring washer 46 encompasses the shank 42 of the rivet 36 in such a manner as to be compressed between the inside bottom of the surface 48 of the clamp 14 and the under edge of the peened head 44. These parts are assembled in a relationship such that the clamp 14 is rotatable about the axis of the shank 42 with sufficient frictional engagement of the parts to hold the clamp at any number of positions and thereby change the angle of the bottle 18 for proper flow of the liquid contents to the nipple end of the bottle. The rivet 36 may be stationary or affixed to the base 12 so that the frictional engagement of the parts occurs at the contact surface of the boss 32 with the base 12 with the periphery spring washer engaging and rubbing against the inside curved wall of the clamp member 14. Alternately the spring washer 46 may rotate with the clamp 14 whereupon it engages frictionally with the inner portion of the peened head 44. As another alternative the clamp 14, the washer 46 and the rivet 36 may be unified so that they rotate together in which event the inner surface of the head 40 is pressed against the inside surface 22 of the base member 12 which surface would be devoid of the soft plastic fibers mat layer 24.

The inside surface 48 of the clamp 14 is tubular and may be provided with the soft resilient pad 50, the internal surface of which includes the generally hexagonal configuration shown, as defined by the radially spaced straight sided series of convolutions 52. The

convolutions may match or mismatch with the external convolutions of the bottle.

The pad 50 is preferably constructed of soft material such as foam rubber or foamed plastic. The external surface 54 is sealed to form a moisture barrier for sanitation purposes and prevent saturation of the pad with spilled milk or baby food formulations. The outer edges 56 of the pad 50 are tapered to join smoothly with the

flared ends

26 and 28 so that no protruding edges are presented upon which to catch the bottle. The opening 30 is large enough to receive the bottle laterally there through as the flared ends spring open and then close around the bottle. The clamp and pad impart sufficient spring action to hold the bottle from rotating on its longitudinal axis and also prevent any unintentional sliding along that axis once the clamp encompasses the bottle to prevent dislodgment in any attitude during normal use. The bottle can be removed by pulling it out axially or lifting it out laterally through the flared ends 26-28. The inner surface 48 of the clamp 14 may carry a series of protuberances 58 thereabout to engage and hold the pad 50. The pad can be held by adhesive if desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the clamp 14a is modified to include the boss 32a having the shorter shank 42a extending through the bore 38 of the base 12. The flat rivet head 40a is integral with the shank 42a. The base 12 is sufficiently resilient so that the wider head 40a can be press-fitted through the bore therein to form the assembly shown. The clamp 14a has the smooth inner surface 48a adapted to receive and retain the bottle 18.

Referring to FIG. the wire rod member 62 illustrates a partially formed frame for the stand 64 shown in FIG. 11. This frame, in one method of assembly is formed with the large loop 66 at one end and the smaller l80 bend 68 at the other end with the parallel spaced

straight portions

70 and 72 in between the rounded ends so that the

termini

74 and 76 can be brought into eventual juxtaposition.

Before this last step either of these terminal ends can be used to thread the hose sections 78 and 80 upon the partially formed frame. Thus, the end 74 can be left in the angular position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 10 and the hose section 78 placed thereover and pushed over the loop 66 with its leading end near the end 76 so as to provide space to receive the second hose section 80. This latter hose section may be placed over the end 74 until its trailing end coincides with the end 74 of the partially formed frame. Then the end 74 is bent into alignment with the end 76 and both sections of rubber tubing are brought into the positions shown in FIG. 11. These hose sections have a combined length that is less than the total length of the partially formed frame so that the

equal length sections

82 and 84 can be left uncovered as they are adjusted to the positions shown in FIG. 11. The manner in which the soft rubber hose 78 fits over the wire rod 62 is shown in FIG. 8.

To complete the stand 64, the large loop portion 66 is bent to an angle of less than 90, at the

bends

84 and 86 to the straight portions and 72 and the latter are bent at 88 and 90 so that the

uncovered portions

82 and 84 are in a plane parallel to and spaced above the loop 66. Then the straight portions are bent downward at 92 and 94 into the plane of the loop 66 so that a protruding open tongue 96 is formed. The stand 64 will rest with the large loop 66 and the tongue 96 on a planar surface 100, as shown in FIG. 5, with the

base sections

82 and 84 raised above the planar surface.

The stand 64 is provided with the arcuate generally rectangular shaped plate member 102 (FIG. 5a) having a rough mat of plastic fibers 104 on the top side and the pairs of opposing spaced curved flanges 106 and 108 defining the open sided slot 110 therebetween along one edge and a parallel duplicate set of said flanges along the other edge. In one embodiment the space between these slots 110 defined by the pairs of flanges is the same as the spacing between the bared

portions

82 and 84 so that the plate member 102 encompasses thereover and each slot engages over a respective bared portion in a snap action to hold the plate on the stand as shown in FIG. 9, with the arcuate fiber fastening area 104 on its top side. As an alternative construction the plate member 102 may be a flat flexible member with the space between the slots 110 being slightly greater than the space between the bared

portions

82 and 84 on the stand. Upon snapping the slots over the bared portions of the stand, the plate will assume an arched configuration.

The clamp 14 is accordingly adapted to be placed upon the plate 102 with its mat 24 interengaging with the mat 104 at any one of a number of selected positions, one of which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, so that the elevation of the nipple 112 of the bottle 18 above the planar surface can be controlled. The tongue 96 protrudes to a side of the assembly so that a portion of a blanket or pillow can be laid over it to increase the stability of the stand.

The loop 66 of the stand 64 is larger than the loop 96 so that the stand has a proper support on the plane surface 100 and also allows the edge of blanket or pillow to be laid thereover and increase the stability of the device. All of the parts have rounded corners and are free of projections that may harm the baby.

The plastic mat 24 is preferably constructed of a soft type of plastic fiber so that it will-be comfortable to handle and will not interfere with the intended use. Instead of a plastic mat 24 the base member 12 may be provided with a layer of soft wool fabric of suitable texture to be engaged by the plastic mat patches 20 on the ends of the strap 16 as well as the plastic mat 104 in the plate member 102. This latter universal engaging surface can be and preferably is formed of stiffer plastic hook members capable of attachment to the plastic mat surfaces 24 in any orientation. One form of plastic mat surface that is suitable for purposes of this invention comprises the proprietary product known under the trademark VELCRO.

It is also apparent that the base member 12 can be a rigid non-flexible member and still be attached to the plate 102 in a number of positions since these parts do not have to have full contact. The use of a flexible base l2 facilitates attachment and removal, increases the fastening area and allows easy adjustment.

The selection of the other materials of construction of the parts embodying the bottle holder and stand of this invention are a matter of choice. Iron or stainless steel wire can be used for the base member 62. The hose members 78 and 80 can be soft rubber or the synthetic rubber product known as neoprene. Instead of using separate sections of rubber hose, the wire frame can be dip-coated with any one of a number of soft plastic materials. The bared

portions

82 and 84 of the stand can be omitted and the entire frame 62 covered with a soft coating. In this event the flanges 106 and 108 defining the open-sided slot 110 would be formed so as to encompass the increased diameter of this part of the frame. Any covering of the wire frame 62 can be eliminated if desired.

Alternatively the stand 64 can be formed entirely of a rigid plastic shaped to form a larger planar surface comparable to the loop 66 including a protruding tongue member 96 for stability and be hinged or pivoted to the base 12 in coplanar or raised position. The base plate 12 can be formed or molded into the arcuate configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 without impairing the use of the bottle holder in the manner shown in FIG. 1 although the flexible form of this base is preferred. Such plastics as PVC-resins, polyester polyols, polyurethanes, vinyl resins, acetals, polyamides can be used and formulated to produce the various parts in rigid or flexible form by methods known in this art, to form the parts of the device of this invention.

It is apparent that the embodiment of the clamp means 14 shown in FIG. 3 be modified to exclude the side opening 30 defined between the flared ends 26-28 so that the clamp means defines a continuous tubular member that surrounds the bottle in its holding position. The bottle would be inserted end-wise only in such a modified clamp. Other forms of clamp means can be used. Also the embodiment of FIG. 3 can be molded or otherwise formed of one piece instead of having separate outer spring arms and an inner layer of soft plastic.

The assembly shown in FIG. 5 can be used in other positions and attitudes than on a planar surface. The larger loop 66 forms a convenient hook that can be placed over the top edge or a slat of a basket or crib side member so that the lesser loop 96 hangs down into the crib or basket, in which position the clamp 14 can be rotated in a number of positions to accommodate feeding. For some purposes it can be an advantage to form the stand 78 of formable or bendable wire rod so that it can be reshaped for additional uses. A coating of non-slip material such as grit-impregnated plastic can be applied to the inner surface 48a of the clamp 14a shown in FIG. 4.

In summary, the bottle holder of this invention comprises a base member as the adjustable strap means for suspension around the neck of person with the base member against the chest and a clamp member pivotally attached to the base member adapted to receive 6 the baby bottle, with universal attaching means at the end of the strap member for attachment at various locations on the back side of the base member. Also in combination therewith a stand member is provided 6 one arcuate, the plate member 102 and one rotational, the rivet 36.

What is claimed is:

1. A baby bottle holder comprising in combination,

a pliable plate member having a mat of fine plastic fibers on one side,

adjustable strap means for suspending said pliable plate member in a vertical plane,

a clamp member carried by said base member on the side opposite said mat of plastic fibers,

said clamp member adapted to detachably receive a bottle with the longitudinal axis of the bottle extending along and spaced from said vertical plane of the base member,

a stand member comprising,

a planar base portion and an upper horizontally disposed arched member,

said arched member having an arched top surface mat of fine plastic fibers adapted to universally attach to the mat of fine plastic fibers on said plate member whereby said bottle holder is adapted to be suspended about the neck of the user by said strap means and also adapted to be supported on said stand member through the respective mat surfaces at selected angles along said arched surface and at selected pivotal positions about said pivotal means,

said stand member including a rod member formed into a base loop, an arched parallel pair of support arms and an elongated tongue member,

said base loop and said tongue member being essentially in a plane below said support arms, and

said arched plate member includes parallel slot means to engage said support arms in a snap-fit re lationship.

2. A bottle holder comprising:

a plate member a clamp member carried in a side of said plate member and adapted to detachably receive a bottle,

first pivot means frictionally attaching between said clamp member and said plate member for rotation on an axis substantially perpendicular thereto,

a stand member defining a planar base portion for support of said bottle holder on a horizontal surface for unattended feeding,

second pivot means frictionally attaching between said stand member and said plate member whereby the attitude of said clamp member and its angular height from said stand member are adjustable and in at least one position said planar base portion of said stand member is extendable under the axis of said clamp member to support said holder at different heights on a horizontal surface and said clamp member is movable about said first pivot means into feeding proximity,

said second pivot means being detachable whereby said plate member and clamp member are separable therefrom, and

said plate member including an adjustable strap member for suspending same about the neck of the user for attending feeding.

3. A bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 in which,

said second pivot means is detachable whereby said plate member and clamp member are separable therefrom,

said plate member including an adjustable strap member for suspending same about the neck of the user for attended feeding.

4. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein,

said plate member includes a mat of fine plastic fibers on the side opposite said clamp member, and

said strap member having a patch of fine plastic fibers on each end whereby either end is capable of universal attachment to said mat of plastic fibers on mat of line plastic fibers and adapted to universally attach to and arcuately receive the mat of plastic fibers on said plate member for positioning same at selected angular positions thereon.

6. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 5 wherein said stand member includes a pair of spaced substantially coplanar and parallel rod portions said arched member is provided with a pair of spaced slots defined by opposing resilient flanges on the side opposite said mat of plastic fibers,

said slots receiving said rod portions in a releasable snap fit relationship to hold said arched member thereto,

the spacing between said slots being greater than the spacing between said rod portions whereby said plate member is arched into conformity as said slots and rod portions interengage.

* l =l= l

Claims

1. A baby bottle holder comprising in combination, a pliable plate member having a mat of fine plastic fibers on one side, adjustable strap means for suspending said pliable plate member in a vertical plane, a clamp member carried by said base member on the side opposite said mat of plastic fibers, said clamp member adapted to detachably receive a bottle with the longitudinal axis of the bottle extending along and spaced from said vertical plane of the base member, a stand member comprising, a planar base portion and an upper horizontally disposed arched member, said arched member having an arched top surface mat of fine plastic fibers adapted to universally attach to the mat of fine plastic fibers on said plate member whereby said bottle holder is adapted to be suspended about the neck of the user by said strap means and also adapted to be supported on said stand member through the respective mat surfaces at selected angles along said arched surface and at selected pivotal positions about said pivotal means, said stand member including a rod member formed into a base loop, an arched parallel pair of support arms and an elongated tongue member, said base loop and said tongue member being essentially in a plane below said support arms, and said arched plate member includes parallel slot means to engage said support arms in a snap-fit relationship.

2. A bottle holder comprising: a plate member a clamp member carried in a side of said plate member and adapted to detachably receive a bottle, first pivot means frictionally attaching between said clamp member and said plate member for rotation on an axis substantially perpendicular thereto, a stand member defining a planar base portion for support of said bottle holder on a horizontal surface fOr unattended feeding, second pivot means frictionally attaching between said stand member and said plate member whereby the attitude of said clamp member and its angular height from said stand member are adjustable and in at least one position said planar base portion of said stand member is extendable under the axis of said clamp member to support said holder at different heights on a horizontal surface and said clamp member is movable about said first pivot means into feeding proximity, said second pivot means being detachable whereby said plate member and clamp member are separable therefrom, and said plate member including an adjustable strap member for suspending same about the neck of the user for attending feeding.

3. A bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 in which, said second pivot means is detachable whereby said plate member and clamp member are separable therefrom, said plate member including an adjustable strap member for suspending same about the neck of the user for attended feeding.

4. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein, said plate member includes a mat of fine plastic fibers on the side opposite said clamp member, and said strap member having a patch of fine plastic fibers on each end whereby either end is capable of universal attachment to said mat of plastic fibers on said plate member.

5. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plate member is pliable and includes a mat of fine plastic fibers on the side opposite said clamp member, said stand member includes a horizontally disposed arched member disposed above and substantially central thereof, said arched member includes a top arched surface mat of fine plastic fibers and adapted to universally attach to and arcuately receive the mat of plastic fibers on said plate member for positioning same at selected angular positions thereon.

6. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 5 wherein said stand member includes a pair of spaced substantially coplanar and parallel rod portions said arched member is provided with a pair of spaced slots defined by opposing resilient flanges on the side opposite said mat of plastic fibers, said slots receiving said rod portions in a releasable snap-fit relationship to hold said arched member thereto, the spacing between said slots being greater than the spacing between said rod portions whereby said plate member is arched into conformity as said slots and rod portions interengage.