Safety apparatus and method of use

Abstract

Body orienting harnesses and associated structures are disclosed, along with methods of use. The body orienting harness can position a body, such an infant, with respect to the associated structure, such as a bed, bed frame or crib, a sheet, or a blanket for example. The harness may be integrated with a sheet or blanket in order to secure not only a body in position but also secure the sheet or blanket in position with respect to the body. The sheet, blanket, or other cover, can provide a slip cover for an underlying support surface, such as a mattress for example. Alternatively, the cover can be secured in other ways to form a pocket in association with other structure, such as a bed sheet for example. The harness can be mounted in association with the pocket to secure a body in position with the respect to the pocket and associated structure, such as a mattress, crib, etc. When used to secure an infant during sleep, certain embodiments of the harness and associated structure can help significantly reduce the chance of overheating, suffocating, or otherwise harming the infant.

1 . A method of securing a body, having a central body section and two legs extending from the central body section, to a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 A. with a securing apparatus having two laterally opposed securing sections and a third securing section intermediate the opposing strap ends and extending transversely away from the laterally opposed securing sections, positioning the securing apparatus with respect to the surface;   B. placing the body between the surface and the securing apparatus with the third securing section between the leas of the body; and   C. wrapping the two laterally opposed securing sections around the central body section and securing the two laterally opposed ends to each other.   
   
   
       2 . The securing method of  claim 1  wherein the positioning step includes mounting the securing apparatus to the surface. 
   
   
       3 . The securing method of  claim 1  wherein the positioning step includes mounting to the surface at least one among the opposed securing sections and third securing section. 
   
   
       4 . The securing method of  claim 1  wherein the opposing securing sections comprise strap ends and the wrapping step includes connecting together said two laterally opposed strap ends. 
   
   
       5 . The securing method of  claim 3  wherein the opposing securing sections comprise strap ends and the wrapping step includes connecting together said two laterally opposed strap ends. 
   
   
       6 . The securing method of  claim 1  wherein the surface is bedding material and the body is an infant's body. 
   
   
       7 . The securing method of  claim 5 . wherein the surface is a bed sheet and the body is an infant's body. 
   
   
       8 . A method of securing a body, having a central body section and two legs extending from the central body section, to a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 A. with a securing apparatus having two laterally opposed securing sections and a third securing section intermediate the opposing strap ends and extending transversely away from the laterally opposed securing sections, positioning the securing apparatus with respect to the surface;   B. placing the body between the surface and the securing apparatus with the third securing section between the legs of the body; and   C. securing the two laterally opposed securing sections with respect to the or another surface;   
     whereby the body may be held in position with respect to the surface. 
   
   
       9 . The securing method of  claim 8  wherein the surface is a bed sheet and the body is an infant's body. 
   
   
       10 . The securing method of  claim 9  wherein the securing step includes passing the laterally opposed securing sections respectively through at least first and second passages in the bed sheet. 
   
   
       11 . A body securing harness of the type useable to secure a body with respect bedding material, the body securing apparatus comprising in combination:
 A. a flexible harness body having a generally triangular central portion;   B. a flexible first harness strap extending from the harness body parallel to a first side of the generally triangular central portion;   C. a flexible second harness strap extending from the harness body laterally opposite the first harness strap and parallel to the first side of the generally triangular central portion; and   D. a third harness securing section extending transversely away from the first side of the generally triangular central portion and being securable to a mating securing section of a bed sheet.   
   
   
       12 . The body securing harness of  claim 11  wherein at least the first harness strap includes means for attaching to the second harness strap. 
   
   
       13 . The body securing harness of  claim 11  wherein the third harness securing section comprises a flexible third harness strap. 
   
   
       14 . The body securing harness of  claim 12  wherein the third harness securing section comprises a flexible third harness strap. 
   
   
       15 . The body securing harness of  claim 11  wherein the third harness securing section is mounted to the mating securing section of the bed sheet or blanket. 
   
   
       16 . The body securing harness of  claim 14  wherein the third harness securing section is mounted to the mating securing section of the bed sheet or blanket. 
   
   
       17 . The body securing harness of  claim 11  wherein the bed sheet comprises at least a first harness passage and a second harness passage, the first harness strap being mountable through the first harness passage and the second harness strap being mountable through the second harness strap passage. 
   
   
       18 . The body securing harness of  claim 14  wherein the bed sheet comprises at least a first harness passage and a second harness passage, the first harness strap being mountable through the first harness passage and the second harness strap being mountable through the second harness strap passage. 
   
   
       19 . The body securing harness of  claim 17  wherein the bed sheet comprises at least a first harness passage and a second harness passage, the first harness strap being mountable through the first harness passage and the second harness strap being mountable through the second harness strap passage. 
   
   
       20 . The body securing harness of  claim 19  wherein the bed sheet comprises a pocket section having the mating securing section of the bed sheet.