초록 ▼

Embodiments of the present invention provide a stowable covering that fits about a child seat to cover an infant or child placed therein. The covering may include a sheet of flexible fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer periphery defining an opening through which a portion of the

Embodiments of the present invention provide a stowable covering that fits about a child seat to cover an infant or child placed therein. The covering may include a sheet of flexible fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer periphery defining an opening through which a portion of the child seat may be received, a coupling mechanism at the outer periphery, and a pocket. The coupling mechanism may be configured to secure the sheet about the child seat by constricting about a portion of the child seat and the pocket may be coupled to the sheet to permit the sheet to be folded and stowed within the pocket.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A stowable covering configured to be separately fitted about both a child carrier and a stroller, wherein the child carrier comprises a base portion defining a seat and a handle that is positionable above the seat to permit a child lying in the seat to be carried using the handle, wherein the bas

1. A stowable covering configured to be separately fitted about both a child carrier and a stroller, wherein the child carrier comprises a base portion defining a seat and a handle that is positionable above the seat to permit a child lying in the seat to be carried using the handle, wherein the base portion further comprises an outer edge about the entire base, wherein the seat has a head portion for receiving a child's head and a foot portion for receiving a child's feet, and wherein the stroller comprises a frame with wheels, a seat vertically disposed above the wheels and at least one handle disposed above the seat, wherein the seat has a back for supporting a child's head and a torso, and a base for supporting the child's bottom and upper legs, with the child's lower legs hanging over the base, the stowable covering comprising: a sheet of flexible fabric having an expanded shape defined by the child carrier or stroller when fitted thereto, the sheet comprising:a top surface,a bottom surface,an outer periphery defining an opening through which a portion of the child carrier and stroller may be received;a coupling mechanism at the outer periphery that is configured to secure the sheet about the child carrier and stroller by constricting about a portion of the child carrier and stroller when the stowable covering is fitted thereto, wherein the outer periphery is sized and shaped so that when the stowable covering is placed about the child carrier, the outer periphery extends over and around the outer edge of the entire base such that the sheet entirely covers and extends below the outer edge while also covering the handle to fully enclose a child when lying in the child carrier, and wherein when the stowable covering is placed about the stroller, the outer periphery extends over a top end of the seat and terminates vertically above a bottom end of the seat such that a child's lower extremities remain accessible when sitting in the seat of the stroller;a skirt stowable within a pouch positioned at a front end of the stowable covering, the skirt being deployable from the pouch to extend completely over and hang down below the bottom end of the seat of the stroller; andwherein the pouch when containing the skirt is configured to be placed over the outer edge of the carrier and be located at the foot portion and vertically beneath the outer edge when the sheet is coupled to the carrier, and wherein when the sheet is coupled to the stroller, the pouch hangs vertically above the base of the stroller seat, with the skirt hanging below the base of the seat when the skirt is deployed;a pocket coupled to the sheet to permit the sheet to be folded and stowed within the pocket. 2. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the sheet is folded and stowed within the pocket by everting the pocket. 3. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the sheet further comprises an access opening opposite the opening defined by the outer periphery, the access opening providing access to a handle of an infant carrier when the stowable covering is fitted thereto. 4. The stowable covering of claim 3, wherein the sheet further comprises a flap that is positionable over the access opening when the stowable covering is fitted about the infant carrier and that is positionable to completely cover the opening of the pocket when the sheet material is folded and stowed therein. 5. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a fastener to secure the skirt within the pouch. 6. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the sheet further comprises an attachment mechanism attachable to an external object for transportation when the stowable covering is stowed within the pocket. 7. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the sheet further comprises a window, a front flap, and a tie, the front flap having an unfolded position that covers a majority of the window and a folded position in which a majority of the window is uncovered, the tie being configured to secure the flap in the folded position. 8. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises one or more elastic bands that allow the opening to expand to be fitted over the child carrier and that allow the opening to contract around the child carrier to secure the stowable covering to the child carrier. 9. The stowable covering of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a drawstring and cord lock slidably coupled with the drawstring, the drawstring and cord lock allowing the opening to expand to be fitted over the child carrier and to contract around the child carrier to secure the stowable covering to the child carrier. 10. A method for separately covering both a child carrier and a stroller, wherein the child carrier comprises a base portion defining a seat and a handle that is positionable above the seat to permit a child lying in the seat to be carried using the handle, wherein the base portion further comprises an outer edge about the entire base, wherein the seat has a head portion for receiving a child's head and a foot portion for receiving a child's feet, and wherein the stroller comprises a frame with wheels, a seat vertically disposed above the wheels and at least one handle disposed above the seat, wherein the seat has a back for supporting a child's head and torso, and a base for supporting the child's bottom and upper legs, with the child's lower legs hanging over the base, the method comprising: obtaining a stowable covering comprising:a sheet of flexible fabric comprising:a top surface;a bottom surface;an outer periphery;an elastic coupling mechanism at the outer periphery; anda pocket coupled to the top surface or the bottom surface of the sheet;a pouch containing a deployable skirt;expanding the elastic coupling mechanism;placing the coupling mechanism about the child carrier such that the outer periphery of the covering extends over and around the outer edge of the entire base such that the sheet entirely covers and extends below the outer edge while also covering the handle to fully enclose a child when lying in the child carrier, with the pouch extending below the outer edge at the foot portion; andpermitting the elastic coupling mechanism to constrict about the base below the outer edge to secure the stowable covering to the child carrier;removing the cover from the child carrier and placing the cover about the stroller such that the outer periphery extends over a top end of the back of the seat and terminates vertically above the base of the seat such that the pouch hangs vertically above the base of the seat and child's lower extremities remain accessible when sitting in the seat of the stroller; anddeploying the skirt from the pouch to cover the legs and feet of the child when seated in the stroller seat. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising stowing the stowable covering, wherein stowing comprises: folding the sheet together near the pocket; andeverting the pocket so that the sheet is disposed within the pocket. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising securing a flap to the pocket to secure the sheet within the pocket. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the stowable covering comprises a window positioned in front of an infant or child seated in the child carrier when the stowable covering is fitted about the child carrier; and wherein the method further comprises: unfolding a flap coupled with the sheet so that the window is substantially covered by the flap; orfolding the flap so that the window is substantially uncovered by the flap and securing the flap with a tie to prevent the flap from unfolding. 14. A stowable covering configured to be separately fitted about both a stroller seat and infant carrier to cover at least a portion of the stroller or infant carrier, wherein the child carrier comprises a base portion defining a seat and a handle that is positionable above the seat to permit a child lying in the seat to be carried using the handle, wherein the base portion further comprises an outer edge about the entire base wherein the seat has a head portion for receiving a child's head and a foot portion for receiving a child's feet, and wherein the stroller comprises a frame with wheels, a seat vertically disposed above the wheels and at least one handle disposed above the seat, wherein the seat has a back for supporting a child's head and torso, and a base for supporting the child's bottom and upper legs, with the child's lower legs hanging over the base, the stowable covering comprising: a sheet of flexible fabric comprising:a top surface,a bottom surface,an outer periphery defining an opening through which a portion of the stroller seat or infant carrier may be received;a window capable of being positioned in front of an infant or child seated in the stroller seat or infant carrier when the stowable covering is fitted thereto;an elastic coupling mechanism at the outer periphery that is configured to secure the sheet about the stroller seat or infant carrier by constricting about a portion of the stroller seat or infant carrier when the stowable covering is fitted thereto, wherein the outer periphery is sized and shaped so that when the stowable covering is placed about the child carrier, the outer periphery extends over and around the outer edge of the entire base such that the sheet entirely covers and extends below the outer edge while also covering the handle and is capable of fully enclosing a child when lying in the child carrier, and wherein when the stowable covering is placed about the stroller, the outer periphery extends over a top end of the seat and terminates vertically above a bottom end of the seat such that a child's lower extremities remain accessible when sitting in the seat of the stroller;a skirt stowable within a pouch positioned at a front end of the stowable covering, the skirt being deployable from the pouch to extend completely over and hang down below the bottom end of the seat of the stroller; andwherein the pouch when containing the skirt is configured to be placed over the outer edge of the carrier and be located at the foot portion and vertically beneath the outer edge when the sheet is coupled to the carrier, and wherein when the sheet is coupled to the stroller, the pouch hangs vertically above the base of the stroller seat, with the skirt hanging below the base of the seat when the skirt is deployed;a pocket coupled to the top surface of the sheet to permit the sheet to be folded and stowed within the pocket. 15. The stowable covering of claim 14, wherein the sheet further comprises a pair of side windows capable of being positioned on opposite sides of an infant or child seated in the stroller seat or infant carrier when the stowable covering is fitted thereto.