Gripping device for assisting infants in holding a bottle

Abstract

A gripping device for assisting infants in holding a bottle which comprises a body fabricated from a soft material, wherein the shape of the body is substantially triangular, substantially circular, substantially rectangular or substantially square, an opening extending through the body, the opening being sized and shaped to accept a bottle inserted therein, and a securing device associated with the opening for securing the bottle in the opening. Moreover, the opening may be located in approximately the center of the body. The securing device, such as an elastic band, a spring, velcro, or a draw string, lines the opening whereby inserting a bottle into the opening results in the securing device fitting snuggly around the peripheral surface of a bottle. The securing device can accommodate a wide range of commercially available bottles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gripping device for a baby bottle comprising: 
 a body fabricated from a soft material, an opening extending through the body, the opening being sized and shaped to accept a bottle inserted therein; and    a securing device associated with the opening for securing the bottle in the opening.    
     
     
         2 . The gripping device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rattle associated with the body.  
     
     
         3 . The gripping device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one appendage extending outwardly from the body for facilitating an infant to grasp the gripping device.  
     
     
         4 . The gripping device according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one appendage comprises two appendages.  
     
     
         5 . The gripping device according to  claim 3 , wherein the appendages are attached to the periphery of the body.  
     
     
         6 . The gripping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the body is substantially triangular, substantially circular, substantially rectangular, or substantially square.  
     
     
         7 . The gripping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening is located approximately in the center of the body.  
     
     
         8 . The gripping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is packed with a material filler.  
     
     
         9 . The gripping device according to  claim 8 , wherein the filler is a soft compressible material.  
     
     
         10 . The gripping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a soft textile material.  
     
     
         11 . The gripping device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing device is an elastic band, a fabric tie, a spring, or a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         12 . The gripping device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing device comprises an elastic band surrounding the perimeter of the opening.  
     
     
         13 . A gripping device for a baby bottle comprising: 
 a body fabricated from a soft material packed with a material filler, an opening extending through the body, the opening being sized and shaped to accept a bottle inserted therein; and    a securing device associated with the opening for fitting snuggly around the peripheral surface of the bottle at a selected position along the length of the bottle.    
     
     
         14 . The gripping device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a rattle associated with the body.  
     
     
         15 . The gripping device according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one appendage extending outwardly from the body for facilitating an infant to grasp the gripping device.  
     
     
         16 . The gripping device according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least on appendage comprises two appendages.  
     
     
         17 . The gripping device according to  claim 15 , wherein the appendages are attached to the periphery of the body.  
     
     
         18 . The gripping device according to  claim 13 , wherein the shape of the body is substantially triangular, substantially circular, substantially rectangular, or substantially square.  
     
     
         19 . The gripping device according to  claim 13 , wherein the opening is located approximately in the center of the body.  
     
     
         20 . The gripping device according to  claim 13 , wherein the filler is a soft compressible material.  
     
     
         21 . The gripping device according to  claim 13 , wherein the body comprises a soft textile material.  
     
     
         22 . The gripping device of  claim 13 , wherein the securing device is an elastic band, a fabric tie, a spring, or a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         23 . The gripping device of  claim 13 , wherein the securing device comprises an elastic band surrounding the perimeter of the opening.  
     
     
         24 . A gripping device for a baby bottle comprising: 
 a substantially triangular body fabricated from a soft plush material packed with a soft compressible material filler, an opening located approximately in the center of the body and extending through the body, the opening being sized and shaped to accept a bottle inserted therein; and    an elastic band lining the opening whereby inserting a bottle into the opening results in the elastic band fitting snuggly around the peripheral surface of the bottle at a selected position along the length of the bottle;    a rattle associated with the body; and    two appendages extending outwardly from the body for facilitating an infant to hold the gripping device, wherein the appendages are attached to the periphery of the body.