Infant restraint systems and methods

Abstract

In another embodiment, the invention provides a baby holding device that comprises a pillow having a medial region and two opposing arms extending from the medial region that define an inner well region. A securing system is operably coupled to the pillow and comprises a center holding strap that is configured to be placed between the baby's legs so as to extend over at least a portion of the baby's torso. The center holding strap may also be operably coupled to the opposing arms to hold the baby within the well region.

1 . A baby holding device, comprising: 
 a support structure comprising a base that is adapted to be placed onto a support surface and a frame angularly positioned relative to the base; and    a seat coupled to the frame that is adapted to hold a baby;    wherein the seat includes a generally curved outer padded section having a medial region that is adapted to receive the baby's head and a pair of arms extending from the medial region, and wherein the padded section defines an inner well section that is adapted to receive the baby's torso.    
   
   
       2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the arms each include a rounded end, and wherein the ends generally face each other and are adapted to assist in cushioning the weight of the baby.  
   
   
       3 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a securing system that is configured to hold the baby within the seat.  
   
   
       4 . A device as in  claim 3 , wherein the securing system comprises a center holding strap that is coupled to the seat and is configured to be placed between the baby's legs and at least one securing strap extending from the holding strap that is configured to wrap about the baby's torso and be connected to a seat strap that is coupled to the seat.  
   
   
       5 . A device as in  claim 4 , wherein the center holding strap is coupled to the seat at a location to permit the baby's feet to hang from seat.  
   
   
       6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of inclined sections and at least one curved section.  
   
   
       7 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein the curved section generally follows an outer periphery of the padded section to define a generally open interior of the frame.  
   
   
       8 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein the inclined sections each include a curved portion that connects to the base.  
   
   
       9 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the medial region has a height in the range from about 1 inch to about 6 inches and a width in the range from about 8 inches to about 16 inches.  
   
   
       10 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the arms have a height in the range from about 1 inch to about 6 inches, a width in the range from about 6 inches to about 12 inches, and a length in the range from about 10 inches to about 20 inches.  
   
   
       11 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inner well section has a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 12 inches and a length in the range from about 6 inches to about 14 inches.  
   
   
       12 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a fabric.  
   
   
       13 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the padded section comprises a fill material.  
   
   
       14 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame is positioned at an angle in the range from about 20° to about 40° relative to the base.  
   
   
       15 . A method for holding a bay, the method comprising: 
 providing a baby seat comprising a support structure comprising a base that rests upon a support surface and a frame angularly positioned relative to the base, and a seat coupled too the frame, wherein the seat has a generally curved outer padded section that includes a medial region and two arms that define a sell section; and    placing a baby onto the seat, with the baby's torso resting in the well section and being cushioned by ends of the arms, and with the baby's head resting on the medial region.    
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising applying a downward force on the frame to cause the seat to move in an up and down motion.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising strapping the baby to the seat.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the baby is positioned in the seat such that the baby's legs hang down past the seat.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising generally preventing the baby from rolling side to side using the arms.  
   
   
       20 . A baby holding device comprising: 
 a pillow having a medial region and two opposing arms extending from the medial region that define an inner well region;    a securing system operably coupled to the pillow, wherein the securing system comprises a center holding strap that is configured to be placed between the baby's legs so as to extend over at least a portion of the baby's torso and be operably coupled to the opposing arms to hold the baby within the well region.    
   
   
       21 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the securing system further comprises a side strap extending from each arm, wherein the side straps include connectors that are connectable to mating connectors on the center holding strap.  
   
   
       22 . A device as in  claim 21 , wherein the connectors comprise buckle connectors.  
   
   
       23 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the securing system further comprises a seat that is disposed across the well region.  
   
   
       24 . A device as in  claim 23 , wherein the seat comprises a fabric coupled to the arms and the medial region.  
   
   
       25 . A device as in  claim 23 , wherein the center strap is coupled to the seat at a location to permit the baby's feet to hang from the seat.  
   
   
       26 . A device as in  claim 20 , further comprising a hood operably coupled to the pillow.  
   
   
       27 . A device as in  claim 26 , wherein the hood is foldable.  
   
   
       28 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the medial region has a height in the range from about 1 inches to about 10 inches and a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 10 inches.  
   
   
       29 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the arms have a height in the range from about 1 inches to about 6 inches, a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 10 inches, and a length in the range from about 10 inches to about 20 inches.  
   
   
       30 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the well region has a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 12 inches and a length in the range from about 4 inches to about 12 inches.  
   
   
       31 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the pillow further comprises a fabric shell encasing a fill material.  
   
   
       32 . A method for holding a bay, the method comprising: 
 providing a baby holding device comprising a pillow having a medial region and two opposing arms extending from the medial region that define an inner well region, and a securing system operably coupled to the pillow, wherein the securing system comprises a center holding strap that is operably coupled to the pillow;    placing a baby's torso into the well region, with the baby's torso being cushioned by ends of the arms, and with the baby's head resting on the medial region;    placing the center holding strap between the baby's legs so as to extend over at least a portion of the baby's torso; and    securing the center holding strap to the arms.    
   
   
       33 . A method as in  claim 32 , further comprising placing a hood over the baby.  
   
   
       34 . A method as in  claim 32 , wherein the center holding strap is secured to the arms by coupling the center holding strap to side straps extending from the arms.  
   
   
       35 . A method as in  claim 32 , wherein the securing system further comprises a seat that is disposed across the well region, and wherein the baby is placed onto the seat.  
   
   
       36 . A baby holding device comprising: 
 a pillow having a medial region and two opposing arms extending from the medial region that define an inner well region;    a securing system operably coupled to the medial region of the pillow, wherein the securing system comprises a center holding strap that is configured to be placed around at least a portion of the baby's torso and wherein the center holding strap has a free end that is configured to be operably secured back to the pillow.    
   
   
       37 . A device as in  claim 36 , wherein the medial region has a height in the range from about 1 inches to about 10 inches and a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 10 inches.  
   
   
       38 . A device as in  claim 36 , wherein the arms have a height in the range from about 1 inches to about 6 inches, a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 10 inches, and a length in the range from about 10 inches to about 20 inches.  
   
   
       39 . A device as in  claim 36 , wherein the well region has a width in the range from about 4 inches to about 12 inches and a length in the range from about 4 inches to about 12 inches.  
   
   
       40 . A device as in  claim 36 , wherein the pillow further comprises a fabric shell encasing a fill material.  
   
   
       41 . A method for holding a bay, the method comprising: 
 providing a baby holding device comprising a pillow having a medial region and two opposing arms extending from the medial region that define an inner well region, and a securing system operably coupled to the pillow, wherein the securing system comprises a center holding strap that is operably coupled to the medial region of the pillow;    placing a baby onto the pillow so that at least a portion of the baby rests on the medial region;    placing the center holding strap around at least a portion of the baby's torso; and    securing the center holding strap to the pillow.