Child resting / feeding cushion

Abstract

A cushioning device that is placed into a shopping cart after the child is first placed and secured within 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. 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, wherein the level of support is adjustable. The cushions also having a securement structure to retain the cushion in position around the body of the user, hingidly affixed to the cushion, allowing the cushion to fold outward to a generally perpendicular position while supporting a child, and fold down out of the way when the user stands up.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cushion configured to fit in the lap of a person feeding a child or infant in a reclined position, such as a nursing mother feeding an infant, comprising: 
 a central section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area; and    left and right attached end cushion sections, movably affixed, respectively, to said central section left and right sides.    
     
     
         2 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said attachment to said end cushion sections are hingidly attached to said center cushion section.    
     
     
         3 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said central cushion section and said end cushion sections are fluid filled.    
     
     
         4 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 each said end cushion section is movable between a lowered position at which a top surface of said end cushion is substantially at the same level as said top surface of said central cushion section, and an elevated position at which said top surface of said end cushion is elevated above said top surface of said central cushion section.    
     
     
         5 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , including a hinged securement arrangement, movably attached to said rear of said central cushion section, and comprising: 
 at least one securement structure;    at least one releasable clamping device along the extent of said securement structure; and    at least one securement structure length adjustment mechanism along the extent of said securement structure.    
     
     
         6 . The securement structure as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said securement structure is a strap.    
     
     
         7 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a hingedly attached side cushion section movably affixed adjacent each left and right end cushion sections and extending to a position below said central cushion section lower surface for accommodating a mother's thighs therebetween.    
     
     
         8 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said left and right side cushion sections are spaced apart a distance of between ten and twenty-four inches for accommodating a mother's thighs therebetween.    
     
     
         9 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 each said side cushion section is movable between a position at which said side cushion section extends downwardly, generally perpendicular to said central cushion section, and a tucked position at which a said surface of said side cushion section lies against said lower surface of said central cushion section, whereby    one of said side cushion sections is tucked between said left or right side of said central cushion section and one of the mother's thighs.    
     
     
         10 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 each said side cushion section is movable between a position at which said side cushion section extends downwardly, generally perpendicular to said central cushion section, and a tucked position at which a said surface of said side cushion section lies against said lower surface of said end cushion section, whereby    one of said side cushion sections is tucked between said left or right end cushion sections and one of the mother's thighs.    
     
     
         11 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said central section and said end and side cushion sections, together, comprise a fluid bladder arrangement having at least one fluid chamber defining said central section and at least one fluid chamber defining each said end and side cushion sections.    
     
     
         12 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said central section and said end and side cushion sections are constructed from an elastomeric material.    
     
     
         13 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of the said central section is covered with a soft cloth-like material.  
     
     
         14 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said central section and said end and side cushion sections are each constructed of a stuffing filled bladder having multiple stuffing chambers.    
     
     
         15 . A cushion configured to fit in the lap of a person feeding a child or infant in a reclined position, such as a nursing mother feeding an infant, comprising: 
 a central section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, forming a generally level cushioning area;    a securement structure for fitting about the waist of said nursing mother; and    a hinge arrangement hingedly attaching said securement structure to said rear of said central cushion section, whereby said central section pivots upwardly to a generally horizontal position on the lap of said nursing mother while sitting, and pivots downwardly to a generally vertical position in front of said nursing mother while standing.    
     
     
         16 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said securement structure comprises: 
 at least one releasable clamping device along the extent of said securement structure; and    at least one securement structure length adjustment mechanism along the extent of said securement structure.    
     
     
         17 . The cushion as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said securement structure is a strap.