US20050279346A1

US20050279346A1 - Safe baby hearth pad

Info

Publication number: US20050279346A1
Application number: US11/133,677
Authority: US
Inventors: Mary Boyette; Carole Crews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-17
Filing date: 2005-05-20
Publication date: 2005-12-22

Abstract

A Safe Baby Hearth Pad includes an elongated panel of fabric, doubled, with corners of outer perimeter joined together by means used for closure forming a casing like apparatus for containing a pad like filler. A means for separation is used within body of said casing creating a joint characteristic. Said joint is strategically placed as to separate said casing into a plurality of smaller casings. Said joint allows a pivot action when placed between said casings contained within said hearth pad, sufficiently distributing protection for a fireplace hearth. First casing is placed on the flat protruding top, said joint separates and pivots said hearth pad to next casing which covers outer most edge. If protection is desired for the vertical outer most front of a hearth surface, a joint is added providing separation and a pivot action, allowing additional casing to drop downward. Said hearth pad has a tailored fit to flow with the angles, which make up the surface of a protruding fireplace hearth, without the assistance from a system used for attachment. Attractive, extra seating is automatic when said hearth pad is in use. When not in use, said hearth pad folds up for easy storage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Patent Documents



2,867,015	1959	Meissner
4,787366	1988	Bell
4,867,135	1989	Stecker
4,865,015	1989	Hasty
4,922,891	1990	King
4,903,686	1990	Jennings
5,058,566	1991	Dabbs
5,183,030	1993	Woodward
347,888	1994	Jackson
5,508,078	1996	Stalnker

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
This invention is directly related to providing protection from the rough surface of a fireplace hearth.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,078. Protection is provided for the outer most edge and corners of a fireplace hearth. This invention fails to provide protection from the flat protruding top and vertical outer most front of a hearth surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,566. This invention covers the outer edging of a fireplace hearth. The top and front surface of a hearth are exposed leaving risk and danger for infants.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,686 is a likeness to U.S. Pat. No. 505,856 listed above. This invention simply covers the outer most edging of a fireplace hearth.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,366. This invention provides protection for the vertical outer most front of a hearth but does not provide protection for the protruding, flat, top surface. It is not made for easy attachment or removal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,030. A comforter that covers the fireplace hearth top and can over lap the edge. There is no apparent fit or attachment for securing said comforter to the surface of a fireplace hearth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,318. A hearth seat and cushion for the flat, protruding, top surface of a fireplace hearth. This invention does not provide protection for the hearth vertical, outer most front surface.
Many inventions developed to provide protection from the surface of a fireplace hearth have systems for attachment. Once removed, some inventions can not be reattached. They are complicated and leave most of a hearth exposed.

SUMMARY

There are many times that the rigid, abrasive surface of a fireplace hearth is the cause of accidents. Babies and small children are at high risk when crawling, pulling up, walking, or running around a hearth area. Children are prone to knocking out teeth, hitting their head, mouth, knees, and the like, from contact with the rough and abrasive surface. Scratches and cuts are all but guaranteed when children and a hearth are in the same area. The Safe Baby Hearth Pad provides the protection needed to minimize the dangers accompanied with a fireplace hearth. A joint characteristic is used to separate said pad into a plurality of casings. Said joint allows a pivot action whereby, a flow of protection is formed form the protruding top, to the outer most edge, and if desired, to drop in front of the vertical outermost front surface of a hearth. All sections of the rough surface are substantially covered and cushioned.
Safe Baby Hearth Pad is placed on and removed from a hearth surface with ease. Said hearth pad folds together for convenient, easy storage when not in use. Said pad is practical and economical to manufacture. Extra, cushioned, seating that is attractive for any raised fireplace hearth is provided when said hearth pad is in use. Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1. Shows a flat view. A plurality of casings, which make up said hearth pad includes a casing that covers the flat protruding top 20, a casing that covers the outer most edge 22, and a casing that covers the vertical outer most front 24, of a fireplace hearth. Also shown are joints 32.
FIG. 2. Shows front view of said hearth pad on a fireplace hearth. Shown is the substantial coverage provided to the length of a hearth, Shown is the top 20, outer most edge 22, and vertical outermost front 24, casings that make up said hearth pad. Shown is pivot from joints 32.
FIG. 3. Shows side view of said hearth pad on protruding portion of a fireplace hearth. The tailored fit and flexibility of said hearth pad is apparent. Shown are top 20, outer most edge 22, and vertical outer most front 24, casings as each section of the hearth surface is sufficiently covered. Shown is a second means 30 used for closure on side perimeter. Said means joins elongated perimeter and side perimeter of said hearth pad. A joint 32 is a third means used for separation. Said joint 32 allows a pivot action within said hearth pad between each casing.
FIG. 4. Shows cross-section view of said hearth pad. Top 20, outer most edge 22, and vertical outer most front 24 casings. Shown is a pad like filler 26 used for cushion, in each casing. First means 28 used for closure on elongated perimeter. A joint 32 is a third means and vertical outer most front 24, casings as each section of the hearth surface is sufficiently covered. A joint 32 is a third means used for separation.

A DETAILED DISCRIPTION

A Safe Baby Hearth Pad is made from an elongated panel of fabric. Desired coverage of the flat protruding top 20, front outermost edge 22, and if desired, vertical outer most front 24, of a fireplace hearth determine amount of said fabric used. Double said fabric whereby, a fold is created. Said fold is first means 28, used for closure on elongated perimeter of said fabric. A second means 30 is used for closure on side perimeter of said fabric. Said means 30 perimeter joins with said first means 28 perimeter, thereby enclosing perimeter of said fabric. A second means 30 is used for closure on side perimeter of said fabric. Said means 30 perimeter joins with said first means 28 perimeter, thereby enclosing one corner. A predetermined amount of a pad like filler 26 is placed inside said closed corner. Said filler 26 extends the length of said fabric, providing a cushion for the flat protruding top one corner. A predetermined amount of a pad like filler 26 is placed inside said closed corner. Said filler 26 extends the length of said fabric, providing a cushion for the flat protruding top 20 surface of a fireplace hearth. Desired length and width of flat protruding top to be provided protection and desired thickness of said hearth pad determines size and amount of said filler 26 to be used. A third means is a joint 32, used for separation on open elongated side of said fabric. Strategically placed within said fabric, said joint 32 creates a casing like apparatus whereby; said filler 26 used to provide cushion for top 20 is enveloped. Placement of said means is determined by the width of protruding top surface desired to cover. Predetermined amount of said filler 26 used for cushioning the front outermost edge 22 of a fireplace hearth is placed inside said fabric against said joint 32 previously used for separation. A joint 32 is used for closure on open elongated side of said filler 26, used to cushion outer most edge 22 creating a second casing within body of said fabric. Said joint 32 provides a pivot action between said casings. Said joint 32 is the secret for a tailored fit to the angles that make up the surface of a fireplace hearth. If protection from the vertical, outer most front 24 of a fireplace hearth is desired said filler 26 is placed inside open elongated perimeter of said fabric against said joint 32 used for closure of second casing. Amount of filler 26 used for cushioning vertical outer most front 24 is predetermined by width of coverage desired for vertical outer most front hearth surface. Forth means 34 used for closure on open elongated perimeter of said fabric, enveloping said filler 26 added for cushioning outer most front 24. A fifth means 36 used for closure on open side perimeter of said fabric, securely seals said pad filler 26 contained within independent casings. Said hearth pad lays on flat protruding top 20, pivots to the next casing which covers the outer most edge 22, said pad pivots at next joint to drop next casing downward covering vertical outer most front 24 of the fireplace hearth. More than one panel of fabric can be used to comprise the Safe Baby Hearth Pad. When using more than one panel of fabric, said fold 28 is replaced with a different means for closure on elongated perimeter. Said means can be of a sewn seam, Velcro, zipper, or the like, to join and close the outer perimeter of said fabric. Said fabric can be of upholstery, drapery, cotton, polyester, flame-retardant material, and the like. Said pad filler 26 can be of desired thickness. Materials used for said pad filler 26 can be batting, foam padding, feathers, beans, flame-retardant filler and the like. Said casings, created within one body by said joint 32, can be comprised separately, as individual casings. Said casings can be joined together by means used for attachment. Means used to join individual casings automatically creates said joint 32 allowing said casings to have the pivot in between for the snug fit to the rough surface. Said joint 32 can be a sewn seam, Velcro, zipper, snaps, buttons, and the like. A plurality of means may be used to comprise said hearth pad or the same means may be used, example: a stitched seam, as in drawings provided. Individual casings can be comprised for providing extra coverage for left and right sides of a fireplace hearth. Additional casings are joined to said top 20 and, or said front 24 by means used for attachment, creating said joint 32, providing separation and a pivot to said casings for substantial coverage. Additional casings can be comprised of one or more panels of fabric as in descriptions above.
Numbers for Drawings:

20 Top casing
22 Outer most edge casing
24 Front casing
26 Pad filler
28 First means used for closure
30 Second means used for closure
32 Joint
34 Forth means used for closure
36 Fifth means used for closure

Claims

1. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad wherein a joint characteristic provides a plurality of casings within one body for cushioning the flat protruding top, outer most edge, and if desired the vertical outer most front of a fireplace hearth comprising;

a) an elongated panel of fabric, doubled with outer most elongated and side perimeter sealed by a first and second means used for closure forming a casing like apparatus;

b) a pad like filler enveloped by said casing;

c) a means used for separation creating a joint characteristic whereby;

d) a plurality of casings are contained within one body sealed by a forth and fifth means used for closure.

2. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein an panel of fabric is of upholstery material whereby;

a first means used for closure on elongated perimeter is a fold.

3. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein a second means used for closure on side perimeter is a sewn seam joining perimeters which have a common point enclosing one corner.

4. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein a pad filler enveloped by said casing is one-inch thick foam padding.

5. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein a means used for separation is a sewn seam the length of said hearth pad whereby a joint characteristic is created to separate one body into a plurality of independent casings.

6. A joint characteristic as defined in claim 5 wherein said joint is placed between casing for flat top and front outer most edge whereby;

a pivot allows coverage to fit snug to the angles of the protruding fireplace hearth surface.

7. A joint characteristic as defined in claim 5 wherein said joint is placed between casings for front outermost edge and vertical outermost front whereby;

a pivot allows coverage to drop downward providing protection from the vertical surface of the fireplace hearth.

8. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of casings contained within one body are of sufficient length and width to distribute a cushioned protection whereby;

a casing covers the flat protruding top said joint pivots to a second casing which covers the outer most edge, and if coverage for the vertical outer most front is desired, said joint pivots to a third casing by said joint which drops downward providing desired coverage.

9. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein a forth means used for closure on an elongated perimeter of said fabric, is a sewn seam.

10. A Safe Baby Hearth Pad as defined in claim 1 wherein a fifth means used for closure on remaining open side perimeter of said fabric is a sewn seam used for sealing independent casings contained within said hearth pad.