Child resting cushion

Abstract

A cushioning device that is placed into a shopping cart after the child is first placed and secured within the cart, allowing the child to sit on the normal seating surface of a shopping cart, and providing padding between the front of the child and the shopping cart push bar for the child's comfort when in a resting position in the cart. The cushion provides sufficient padding to protect the head and upper torso portion of a person/child from the superstructure of the shopping cart in a forward leaning position or a lateral leaning position, such as in a sleeping position in which the person's head lies forward over the cart push bar or sideways over the side railings of the cart. Preferably, the resting cushion is constructed to be at least partially self securing within such a transportation device. The cushioning device can also be used, without modification, as a nursing cushion. The enlarged ends of the cushion provide support for the head of a nursing child, while also providing a foot stop to give the child a feeling of security.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a position to provide a resting surface for a person's head and upper torso portion, comprising: 
 a center section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area; and    an elevated cushioning section fixed to each said left an right sides.    
     
     
         2 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said center section and said elevated cushioning sections are fluid filled.    
     
     
         3 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said center section and said elevated cushioning sections, together, comprise a fluid bladder arrangement having at least one fluid chamber defining said center section and at least one fluid chamber defining said elevated cushioning sections.    
     
     
         4 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 at least one securement structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.    
     
     
         5 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         6 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said center section and said elevated cushioning sections are constructed from an elastomeric material.    
     
     
         7 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 6 , comprising: 
 at least one structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.    
     
     
         8 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         9 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said center section and said elevated cushioning sections are constructed of a stuffing filled bladder having multiple stuffing chambers and upper and lower central surfaces forming said generally level cushioning area.    
     
     
         10 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising: 
 at least one structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.    
     
     
         11 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         12 . A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a position to provide a resting surface for a person's head and upper torso portion, comprising: 
 a body resting section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area; and    at least one securement structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.    
     
     
         13 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said body resting section and said securement structure section are fluid filled.    
     
     
         14 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said body resting section and said securement structure section, together, comprise a fluid bladder arrangement having at least one fluid chamber defining said body resting section and at least one fluid chamber defining said securement structure section.    
     
     
         15 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         16 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said body resting section and said securement structure section are constructed from an elastomeric material.    
     
     
         17 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         18 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said body resting section and said securement structure section are constructed of a stuffing filled bladder having multiple stuffing chambers and upper and lower central surfaces forming said generally level cushioning area.    
     
     
         19 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said generally level cushioning area is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         20 . A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a position to provide a resting surface for a person's head and upper torso portion, comprising: 
 a center section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area;    an elevated cushioning section fixed to each said left an right sides; and    at least one securement structure, generally perpendicular to the said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus; wherein 
 said center section, said elevated cushioning sections, and said securement structure section, together, comprise a fluid or padding filled bladder arrangement having multiple filled chambers defining said center section, at least one filled chamber defining each of said elevated cushioning sections, and at least one filled chamber defining said securement structure section.  
   
     
     
         21 . A cushion configured to fit securely in an apparatus such as a shopping cart, or other person transporting apparatus, in a position to provide a resting surface for a person being transported in said apparatus, comprising: 
 a center section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area solely for a person's head and front upper torso portion and adapted to be placed between the person's head and front upper torso portion, and any structure of said apparatus in front of the person;    an elevated cushioning section fixed to each said left an right sides; and    a securement structure arrangement, generally perpendicular to the said generally level cushioning area and extending below said lower surface and to the sides of a person being transported in said apparatus, to provide a means for securing said cushion to said apparatus.    
     
     
         22 . A cushion configured to provide a resting surface for a child, comprising: 
 a center cushion section having a cover enclosing a filler, an upper surface, a lower surface, left and right sides, an unrestricted front side free from obstructions, and an unrestricted rear side free from obstructions, said center cushion section forming a generally level cushioning area; and    left and right elevated cushion sections, each having a cover enclosing a filler, an upper surface, a lower surface, and left and right sides; wherein 
 said right side of said left elevated cushion section is attached to said left side of said center cushion section, and said left side of said right elevated cushion section is attached to said right side of said center cushion section, thereby forming a plurality of side-by-side joined cushion sections with said left and right elevated cushion section upper surfaces lie in a plane above and parallel to said center cushion section upper surface.  
   
     
     
         23 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 said center cushion section is generally rectangular; and    said left and right elevated cushion sections extend rearwardly beyond said center cushion section rear side.    
     
     
         24 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 22 , comprising: 
 a left securement cushion section connected to said left side of said left elevated cushion section; and    a right securement cushion section connected to said right side of said right elevated cushion section;    said left and right securement cushion sections extending generally perpendicular to said center cushion section and extending below said center cushion section lower surface to provide a means for securing said cushion to an external apparatus.