GB2253988A

GB2253988A - Adjustable baby-carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2253988A
Application number: GB9125821A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michele Karin Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-08
Filing date: 1991-12-04
Publication date: 1992-09-30
Also published as: GB9125821D0; GB9104953D0

Abstract

The baby-carrier 10 includes a baby-carrying portion 12 of a flexible material, for example, a cloth or plastic etc, which may be formed integrally with a supporting portion 14 arranged in a looped configuration so that, in use, it extends diagonally across the wearer's torso. Preferably, the portion 14 has at least one part 16 adapted for seating on a wearer's shoulder. The supporting portion 16 has length adjusting means which may comprise three adjustable straps 20, 22, 24. Selective tightening of the straps will adjust the upper, central and/or lower edge portions of the baby-carrying portion 12 around the baby as required. Further the baby's position may be moved with respect to the wearer's torso without removal of the baby carrier. A safety harness may be associated with the baby-carrying portion. The carrier may include a hood portion for the baby (Figs. 7 and 8). <IMAGE>

Description

ADJUSTABLE BABY CARRIER This invention relates to an adjustable baby carrier especially such a baby carrier having a sling type arrangement and good safety features.

Baby carriers of various configurations have long been used for the carrying or supporting of babies or small infants by attachment of the carrier to a wearers torso. Possibly the earliest and simplest form of baby carrier is to use a length of cloth whose ends are tied together to form a loop. The cloth loop is then arranged diagonally around the wearer's torso and the baby or infant is supported in that portion of the cloth located normally on the wearer's back or alternatively at various positions around the wearer's torso.

However, there are no safety precautions and should the tie accidentally become undone the baby would fall to the ground. It is also possible for the baby to fall out of the top or bottom of the carrier. Furthermore, adjustment of the sling requires removal of the cloth, untying of the knot, etc, and this can be sometimes difficult and/or unsafe to accomplish. It will be apparent therefore that such simple arrangements have the important disadvantage of lack of safety combined with difficulty of adjustment and infexibility in use.

Other more modern designs of baby carrier include more rigid rucksack like arrangements intended to support a baby on a wearer's back, pouch type arrangements which carry a baby against the wearer's front and combination arrangements which can carry infants either to the front or, by removal and reattachment,to rear of the wearer depending on the requirements. Because of the inherent design limitations these carriers are almost solely intended as a means of carrying a baby or small child for prolonged periods and to lessen fatigue on the wearer.In order to provide for flexibility of positioning of a baby or small child and to provide the necessary safety it would be advantageous to provide an adjustable baby carrier of simpler construction, freely positionable whilst in use, able to carry a baby on the front, rear or side of the wearer, adjustable in size and capable of supporting a baby in safety for prolonged periods without requiring the continued support of one or both of the earer's hands or arms.

It is an object of the invention therefore to provide such a baby carrier.

A first aspect of the invention therefore provides an adjustable baby carrier comprising a baby-carrying portion attached to a supporting portion having a looped configuration which is adapted to engage diagonally with a wearer's torso, the carrier also including first adjustment means operative to permit variation of the baby-carrier's length.

By virtue of the diagonal engagement of the supporting portion with the wearer's torso, the carrying portion may be easily re-positioned around the wearer's torso as required.

The baby-carrier advantageously further includes second adjustment means operative to vary the size and/or configuration of the carrying portion. Preferably the first and second adjustment means are combined in a single mechanism and are preferably such as to prevent inadvertent seperation of the loop.

Alternatively the baby or the baby-carrying portion may be attached to the wearer by way of an independent secondary harness. In this way the baby or infant is prevented from falling to the ground even if the loop accidentally separates.

The adjustment means is advantageously arranged to connect the baby-carrying portion to one free end of the supporting portion such that the length of the supporting portion is adjustable by tightening or loosening thereof.

A first embodiment of the invention provides a babycarrying portion of a substantially broad flexible material, attached integrally to a free end of a supporting portion also formed of a flexible material and arranged substantially as a U-shaped loop, a second free end of the loop being provided with at least one strap and an associated buckle which is adapted for engagement with a corresponding strap extending from one free end of the carrying portion.

In this embodiment which shows the invention in its simplest form the baby can be securely seated in the carrying portion, and the position of the carrying portion can be adjusted by displacement of the supporting portion about the wearer. Manipulation of the strap or straps, will tighten or loosen the carrying portion about the baby to cause its safe and secure retention therein.

In order to provide for selective adjustment at least two straps, preferably three, are normally provided arranged from the upper and the lower edge of the first baby- carrying portion and, where a third strap is provided, from the centre of the free end. Each of these straps is adapted for connection to buckles provided on further straps depending from a free end of the second supporting portion.

Advantageously the straps are non-detachably engaged with the buckles such that extensions of the straps and hence adjustment of the carrying portion is possible whilst preventing separation of the carrying portion from the supporting portion.

As an alternative to a strap and buckle arrangement the first and/or second adjustment means may be in the form of draw cords, velcrq-type fasteners, studs, clips or properties of the material or similar such solutions.

Preferably the second supporting portion is shaped specifically to engage with a wearer's shoulder so that the supporting portion and the baby carrying portion are held diagonally across a wearer's torso.

Additionally a padded seat assembly may be included in the carrying portion to at least partially support a baby positioned therein.

In a modified embodiment the first baby-carrying portion is provided with a safety harness which may be fixedly attached or arranged to be removably attached, for example by way of press studs, zippers or velcro-type arrangements, clips or buckles.

Preferably such a safety harness includes straps intended to restrain the baby's shoulders and at least one supporting strap depending from a lower edge or underside of the baby carrying portion and arranged to pass between the baby's legs and to be secured to an upper edge or back of either the baby-carrying portion or the second supporting portion. In this way the baby is securely held within the carrying portion.

In a further embodiment of the invention a hood portion is provided preferably attached at least to the baby-carrying portion and arranged to be extendibly unfurled therefrom when required. The hood portion may also include a second supporting portion having a looped configuration which is also adapted to engage with said wearer's torso. Further adjustment means, for example, a buckle are also provided in the looped configuration so as to tighten or release the hood portion about a baby positioned in the carrying portion as required.

Advantageously the hood portion is releasably attached to the carrying portion such that it may be detached when not required. Alternatively the hood portion may by integrally formed therewith.

In a modified embodiment the baby-carrying portion may be provided with means to be attached to a waist band or belt or with an integral belt adapted for securement around the wearer's waist. This will provide greater weight distribution, additional security, further reducing the possibility of a child or baby slipping out of the carrying portion and therefore potentially further limit injury to the baby if the wearer should fall to the ground.

The invention will be described further by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of the invention; and Figs.4 to 8 are perspective views of embodiments of the invention in use.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the invention is referred to generally by numeral 10 and provides an adjustable baby-carrier including a baby-carrying portion 12 formed of a flexible material, for example, a cloth. This baby-carrying portion is formed integrally with a supporting portion 14 arranged as a loop formation.

The loop formation is provided with at least one part 16 thereof arranged to be seated on a wearer's shoulders so as to securely hold the supporting portion thereon. To this end the part 16 may be specifically designed to engage with a wearer's shoulder or may include a shoulder pad to ensure correct and more comfortable seating. One free end 18 of the supporting portion is provided with three straps 20, 22 and 24 each extending respectively from the supporting portion's upper, central and lower free-end portions.

Each of the straps 20, 22 and 24 are provided with a respective fastener in the form of a buckle 26 at its free end thereof. Additionally three further straps 28, 30 and 32 are also arranged to extend from one free edge 34 of the babycarrying portion. Thus each of the further straps 28, 30 and 32 may be engaged with a buckle 26 at the end of a respective strap provided on the carrying portion. Thus a complete and secure loop arrangement can be formed.

In use a baby 36 indicated by dotted outline will be seated in the baby carrying portion 12. The supporting portion 14 is arranged around the wearer's shoulders so that the loop 14 is arranged diagonally across the wearer's torso.

Selective tightening of the three straps 28, 30 and 32 will lead to tightening of the upper, central and/or lower edgeportions of the baby-carrying portion in order to adapt the same to the specific configuration requirement. In this way support and security may be maintained no matter what the baby's position.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated conforming generally to that shown in Fig. 1. In the second embodiment an additional safety harness 50 is provided attached to the lower edge or underside of the baby-carring portion 12. This safety harness 50 is also formed of a flexible material and is generally but not exclusively Y-shaped in configuration. The lower part 52 of the Y-shaped material 50 is attached to the bottom edge of the baby-carrying portion and will thus extend between the baby's legs when securely seated therein. The two other arms 54, 56 of the Y are disposed to pass over both of the baby's shoulders and are provided with attachment means 58, 60 so that they can be secured to the upper edge of the babycarrying portion 12. In this way the baby can be securely seated in the baby-carrier.

Turning now to Fig. 3, a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated which includes a hood portion referred to generally by reference numeral 40. A baby-carrier is formed from a carrying portion 12 and s supporting portion 14 as illustrated generally in Fig. 1. A hood portion 40 is formed of a loop of flexible material for example cloth and is attached to an upper edge part 42 of the baby-carrying portion 12. This attachment may be rigid or integral or alternatively may be of a detachable nature, for example, by way of press studs, a zip-fastener, or velcroor similar means.

The free ends of the loop supportive material are connected by way of a buckle 44 such that the overall length of the loop can be adjusted to tighten or release the hood as desired. It will be appreciated that with such an arrangement when a baby is placed in the carrying portion 12 the hood may be unrolled so as to protect the baby from the adverse effects of weather conditions etc.

Figs. 4 to 8 illustrate the various carrying positions for a baby carrier according to the first second or third embodiments. Fig. 4 shows the arrangement carrying a baby to the front of the wearer. Fig. 5 shows a side-carrying position and Fig. 6 shows a back-carrying position. Figs. 7 and 8 show the third embodiment of the invention with the hood and show a back-carrying position with hood extended, for example, for sleep or weather protection and in Fig. 8 a partly horizontal sleeping position with hood extended, for example again, for weather protection or where hreast feeding is desired in a public place.

The advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated in that the position of the baby or infant can be easily changed without removing the carrier. Furthermore the size of the carrier can be adjusted according to the size of the baby, infant or wearer. Additional support may be provided by the hood portion along with protection from inclement weather conditions and seclusion where sleep or rest is required. The facility to tighten the carrier on the wearer's front, side or back allows the wearer to freely and simultaneously use both hands to carry out tasks such as housework or shopping without fear for the baby's safety.

The invention is not confined to the foregoing details and the variations may be made thereto within the scope of invention. For example the lower edge of the baby-carrying portion may be provided with attachment means for securement to a waist band or belt or integral belt for additional security and load distribution. Additionally the hood portion may be wholly or at least partly transparent so as to commit light to enter or for the infant to see out where this is desirable. The first and/or second adjustment means can be any convenient arrangement, for example, draw cords, elasticated or plastic materials, flaps with velcro-type fasteners, clips or studs etc.

The carrying portion need not be formed of a fully flexible material and a partly flexible material may be used when a degree of rigidity is desired. Other materials such as elasticated or plastic materials may be used in place of cloth or textiles. The safely harness illustrated in the second embodiment could be attached to the carrying portion's underside and the straps secured to the back of the carrying portion when this is convenient.

Other variations are also possible.

Where a hood portion is provided a preferably embodiment provides the hood as a strip-like length of material having at one end a buckle arrangement and means, for example, a plurality of press studs, arranged near to that end for fastening it to the supporting portion. The hood portion can then be wrapped around the wearer's body, enclosing therein the baby and the baby-carrying portion with the hood portion's free end being secured by the buckle arrangment. In this embodiment the hood portion provides the additional facility of being detached from the supporting portion whilst still looped around the user's body. The looped hood portion can then be re-arranged so as to intersect the looped supporting portion substantially at 90" effectively providing a second supporting portion which will spread the carried load over both of the wearer's shoulders. Such an arrangement may be advantageous where the baby is relatively heavy or is to be carried for an extended period.

Claims

1. An adjustable baby-carrier comprising a baby-carrying

portion attached to a supporting portion having a looped configuration and adapted to engage diagonally with a wearer's torso, the carrier also including first adjustment means operative to permit variation of the baby-carrier's length.

2. A carrier as claimed in Claim 1 further including second ajustment means operative to vary the size and/or configuration of the carrying-portion.

3. A carrier as claimed in Claim 2 in which the first and second adjustment means are combined in a single mechanism.

4. A carrier as claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the or each adjustment means are arranged to prevent the inadvertent separation thereof.

5. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baby-carrying portion is attached to a wearer by way of an independent secondary harness.

6. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first adjustment means is arranged to connect the babycarrying portion to one free end of the supporting portion such that the length of the supporting portion is adjustable by tightening or loosening thereof.

7. A carrier as claimed in Claim 1 comprising a baby-carrying portion of a substantially broad flexible material, attached integrally to a free end of a supporting portion also formed of a flexible material and arranged substantially as a Ushaped loop, a second free end of the loop being provided with at least one strap and an associated buckle which is adapated for engagement with a corresponding strap extending from one free end of the carrying portion.

8. A carrier as claimed in claim 7 in which at least two straps are provided, one arranged from the upper and one arranged from the lower edge of the first baby-carrying portion.

9. A carrier as claimed in Claim 8 in which further straps are provided arranged between the upper and lower edge of the baby-carrying portion.

10. A carrier as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which each of the straps is adapted for connection to buckles provided on further straps which depend from a free end of the second supporting portion.

11. A carrier as claimed in Claim 10 in which the straps are non-detachably engaged with the buckles such that extension of the straps and hence adjustment of the carrying portion is possible whilst preventing separation of the carrying portion from the supporting portion.

12. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the supporting portion is shaped specifically to engage with a wearer's shoulder so that the supporting portion and the babycarrying portion are held diagonally across a wearer's torso.

13. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which a padded seat assembly is included in the carrying portion.

14. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baby-carrying portion is provided with a safety harness adapted to retain a baby in the baby-carrying position.

15. A carrier as claimed in Claim 14 in which the safety harness includes straps adapted to restrain the baby's shoulders and at least one supporting strap depending from the baby-carrying portion and arranged to pass between the baby's legs and to be secured to the baby-carrying portion.

16. A carrier as claimed in Claim 14 in which the safety harness includes straps adapted to restrain the baby's shoulders and at least one supporting strap depending from the baby-carrying portion and arranged to pass between the baby's legs and to be secured to the supporting portion.

17. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which a hood portion is provided attached at least to the babycarrying portion and arranged to be extendibly unfurled therefrom.

18. A carrier as claimed in Claim 17 in which the hood portion also includes a second supporting portion having a looped configuration which is also adapted to engage with said wearer's torso.

19. A carrier as claimed in Claim 18 in which further adjustment means including a buckle are also provided in the looped configuration so as to tighten or release the hood portion about a baby positioned in the carrying portion as required.

20. A carrier as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19 in which the hood portion is releasably attached to the carrying portion such that it may be detached when not required.

21. A carrier as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19 in which the hood portion is integrally formed with the carrying portion.

22. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baby-carrying portion is provided with means for attachment to a wearer's waistband or belt.

23. A carrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21 in which the baby-carrying portion is provided with an integral belt adapted for securement around a wearer.

24. A baby-carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.