GB2201083A

GB2201083A - A child support

Info

Publication number: GB2201083A
Application number: GB08804047A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Charles Rober Bentinck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-23
Filing date: 1988-02-22
Publication date: 1988-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-22
Also published as: EP0355223B1; EP0355223A1; JPH0268013A; GB8804047D0; GB8704194D0; GB2201083B

Description

1 v 1 -- A Child Support The invention relates to a child support.

1081 2- It is often desirable to carry a child or infant rather than push it in a push-chair. This is particularly so for infants of from 6 months to 3 years, where, the close proximity of the child when carried by a carrier, particularly a parent provides comfort- and security for both the child and the parent, as well as leaving the parents' hands free. Moreover, some push-chairs can be harmful to the satisfactory development of the posture of the infant, so that carrying is again beneficial for the infant. However, even a small infant can be heavy to carry, particularly for long periods.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a device for supporting 15 the child on the body of a human carrier, comprising a seat for the child, and a brace projecting from the seat and adapted in use to rest against part of the body of the carrier whereby to support the seat.

Using the invention it is possible to provide a device which allows 20 both males and females to support the weight of a child at the hip, particularly at the male hip which is not such a natural seat as that of the female.

The brace may have a curved configuration so that-it can rest against and seat at least partially round a thigh of the carrier. - The device may be of substantially inverted L-shape in use, the arms of the L- comprising the seat and the leg thereof comprising the brace.

The distal end of the brace may be curved towards the seat.

There may be a support between the brace and the seat.

The device may be formed in one piece from plastic or fibreglass material.

The device may be used in combination with means to support the device from a shoulder of the carrier.

The support means may comprise a strap which extends from one side of the device to the other.

There may also be a belt for passing round the waist of a carrier.

The device may also include a carrying receptacle which may have means to support it from the device.

The carrying receptacle may comprise a bag which is adapted to receive the device as an insert and which may be suspended from the seat by a top or lid which may comprise the supporting means.

The top or lid may have padding whereby to provide additional comfort in the seat.

There may be closable openings of the bag at two opposite sides, so that the bag can be worn on the left or. right hand side of the C5 carrier.

The bag may have padding adjacent the brace.

The bag may comprise a washable material.

Devices embodying the invention, for supporting a child on the body of a human carrier, are diagtammatically illustrated.. by way of I t example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 sup rted on the body of a human male carrier; Fig. 3 is a perspective view in phantom of the device of Figs. 1 and 2, in combination with a carrying receptacle; Fig. 4 is a perspective view like Fig. 5, showing the outward appearance of the device; Fig. 5 is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of device according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective rear view of the device of Fig. 5: and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings there is shown a device 1 for supporting a child on the body of a human carrier 2, comprising a seat 3 f or the child, and a brace 4 projecting from the seat and adapted in use to rest against part 5 of the body of the carrier whereby to support the seat j^5.

The device 1 is moulded integrally in one piece from plastic, or fibreglass, and.is of substantially L-shape, the 1V1 being inverted in use as shown. The brace 4 is curved in a concave direction in the direction of projection of the seat 3 so as to fit round the part 5, which is the upper thigh of the carrier 2.

The seat 3 is relatively rigid, as is the brace 4.

There is a support or strut 6 between the brace 4 and the seat 3 for assisting in supporting the seat 3 There is means at opposite edges of the seat in the f orm of through - A - apertures 7, so that the device can be used in combination with support means in the form of a shoulder strap 8 which is broad, padded _and adjustable so as to provide maximum comfort for the carrier 2.

The brace 4 also has holes 9 at upper opposite edges thereof so that the device 1 can be mounted on a waistband or belt 10 which is fastenable round the waist of the carrier 2. The belt 10 is adjustable.

The distal end of the brace 4 is turned outwardly to provide. a smooth 10 lower edge or lip 11 "which does not cut into the thigh 5 of the carrier 2 in use.

The device 1 is used in combination with a receptacle in the form of a bag 12 which is a carrier, suitably for nappies, wet-wipes, bottles etc., required by the child. The bag is slipped over the device 1 which becomes an insert therefor to keep the bag 12 extended. The bag 12 has a top or lid 13 which is padded to make the seat 3 comfortable for the child, and also has padding on a rear surface 14 which in use is between the brace 4 and the thigh 5 of the human carrier 2, to provide comfort for the carrier -2. The bag 12 has through apertures aligned with the apertures 7 and 9 so that the. shoulder strap 8 and the belt 10 can be passed therethrough to provide a unitary seat and bag device.

The bag 12-cornprises, or is covered with, a washable material, and has two opposite apertures 15 closed by closure means such as zip fasteners 15 extending longitudinally thereof. The bag has a front pouch 17.

The device and bag 12 are symmetrical so that they can be worn on either thigh 5 with equal facility, or stated in another way, they can be supported by the -strap 8 from either shoulder of the human carrier.

P Iti 1 j f In use the strap 8 is adjusted- to the correct length and is slipped over the desired shoulder and the device 1 is also adjusted on the belt 10 so that the net result is that the seat 3 rests neatly at the hip of the human carrier, male or female, with the brace-4 receiving -5 and resting against the outside of the thigh 5. The seat 3 is then supported by the brace 4, in a substantially horizontal position 10 so that an inf ant can sit on the seat and clasp the body of the carrier, so that the child is carried safely and in comfort, the carrier having_ his or her hands free. When the bag 12 is used, accoutrements of the child can be placed inside for ease of carriage too.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 7, there is shown a second embodiment of device 9.0 for supporting a child on the body of a human carrier, comprising a seat 21 for the child and a brace 22 projecting from the seat 21 and adapted in use to rest against part (the thigh) of the body of the carrier whereby to support the seat 21.

The seat 21 and brace 22 are integral, moulded in two pieces of plastic which are joined together as by glueing along a median line 24, to provide a substantially 'Ll-shape device which is an inverted 'L' in use.

The seat 21 has an upper (in use) surface on which a child sits in use, and a curved lower 25 surface which merges into or becomes the brace 22 which is concave for fitting round the thigh of a carrier. There is an angle of about 1100 between the seat 21 and brace 22 so that in use the seat 21 has a natural incline which tends to move a child on the seat towards the body of the human carrier which provides for safety in ensuring the child is not tipped off the seat 21, and comfort as the child experiences the close proximity of the carrier, usually its father or mother.

The seat 21 is hollow. The hollow seat 21 is used as a housingfor a bag or cover (not shown) of flexible material such as-plastic which is secured to the underside of the upper surface of the seat adjacent the entrance 26 to the hollow interior 27 of the seat 21 by suitable means as for example VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) or elastic.

The bag or cover can then be permanently attached to the device 20 and, if desired can be pilled out of the hollow interior 27 of the seat 21 and folded down round the device for unobtrusive carrying thereof. When the bag or cover is stowed, it is simply folded and tucked into the hollow interior 27 of the seat so that the bag or cover is out of sight.

The device 20 has formed in it through apertures in the form of four slots 28 through which flexible adjustable support means such as straps 29 and 30 are passed, one 29 being a waist strap and the other 30 a shoulder strap.

The device 20 can be worn on either thigh with equal facility, or 15 stated in another way, they can be supported by the strap from either shoulder of the human carrier.

The device 20 is used to support a child in the same way as the device 1, that is to say in use the strap 30 is adjusted to the correct length and is s lipped over the desired shoulder and the device 20 is also adjusted on the belt 29 which is also adjusted for length so that the net result is that the seat 21 rests neatly at the hip of the human carrier, male or female, with the brace 22 receiving in its concave form, and resting against the outside, the thigh of the carrier. The seat 21 is then supported by the brace 22, so that an infant can sit on the seat and clasp the body of the carrier, so that the child is carried safely and in comfort, the carrier having his or her hands free.

In either embodiment., the seat may be ergonometrically designed too, like the brace to provide a shape complementary, or nearly to, to the posterior of the child. Moreover, the seat and the brace could 3 C 1 ri comprise a metal or plastic framework, which can then be covered by a suitable material.

Claims

CLAIII4S

1. A device for 'supporting the child on the body of a human carrier, comprising a seat for the child. and a brace projecting from the seat and adapted in use to rest against part of the body of the carrier whereby to support_the seat.

2. A device according to Claim 1, the brace having a curved configuration so that it can rest against and seat at least partially round a thigh of the carrier.

3. A device according to Claim 2, of substantially inverted L-shape in use, the arm of he L- comprising the seat and the leg thereof comprising the- brace.

e= 4. A device according to Claim 3, the seat being hollow.

A device according to Claim 4, including a bag or cover which is secured to the device adjacent a mouth or entrance to the hollow. 15 interior of the seat.

A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, formed from two parts secured together._ 7. A device according to Claim 6, the angle between the seat and brace being about 11011.

8. A device according to Claim 3 the distal end of the brace being curved towards the seat.

9. A device according to Claim 8, there being a support between the brace and the seat.

10. A device according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, formed in one piece 25 from plastic or fibreglass mat erial.

cl 1 It 11--- A device according to any preceding claim, in combination with means to support the device from a shoulder of the carrier.

12. A device according to Claim 11, the support means comprising a strap which extends from on e side-of the device to the other.

13. A device according to Claim 12, also including a belt f or passing round the waist of a carrier.

14. - A device according to any of Claims 8 to 13, including a bag, cover or carrying receptacle which has means to support it f rom the device.

1 n. A device according to Claim 14, the. carrying receptacle comprising a bag which is adapted to receive the device as an insert and be suspended f rom the seat by a top or lid which comprises the support means.

A. A device according to Claim 15, the top or lid having padding 15 whereby to provide additional comfort in the seat.

17. A device according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, there being closable openings.of the bag at two opposite sides, so that the bag can be worn on the left or right hand side of the carrier.

A device according to Claim 17, the bag having padding 20 adjacent the brace.

19. A device according to any of Claims 15 to 18, the bag comprising a washable material.

20. A device for supporting a child on thd body of a human carrier, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 25 the accompanying drawings.

le) Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66P71 High Holborn, London WClR 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Wes Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. PrItted by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1/87,