Abstract:
An infant carrier comprises a viscoelastic memory foam covered with a fabric sheath, a mat pad, a foam core, a securing strap, and raised sidewalls to provide comfort and security to the infant. The infant carrier comprises an adjustable strap to provide user comfort, thus prevents back and knee pain which is caused by incorrect posture and/or crossed legs when holding a sleeping infant. The infant carrier also permits an individual traveling with an infant to keep her/his hands free at any time while the infant is positioned securely in the carrier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to child travel equipment, and particularly to a portable infant travel system for use on an airplane, train or bus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are limited solutions on the market to assist caregivers traveling, by plane, train or bus, with infants on their lap. For support while traveling, current options are holding the infant in your arms, balancing the infant on your legs or using pillows, baby carriers, nursing pillows to support the infant. However, none of these options provide a complete solution or address two major issues faced by an individual traveling with an infant: 1) back and knee pain caused by incorrect posture and/or crossed legs when holding the infant and 2) the inability to free one&#39;s hands or arms while holding a sleeping infant. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device which prevents back and knee pain caused by incorrect posture and/or crossed legs when holding a sleeping infant and that also permits an individual traveling with an infant to keep her/his hands free at any time. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, it is a goal of the present invention to create a horizontal workspace for the caregiver, on which the infant can be fed, changed and be stretched out to sleep or rest without the physical assistance from the care giver during travel. The presently disclosed device is designed in such a way to allow the caregiver to maintain correct posture (by keeping both feet on the ground and the back firmly in the seatback) and to have their hands free for reading, eating or attending to another child while traveling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a carrier comprises a foam core having a first surface, a second surface, a head end, a foot end, an adjustable strap, and a means for fastening an adjustable strap, wherein the adjustable strap secures the carrier to a person traveling with a child. 
         [0005]    In one aspect of the subject invention the foam core comprises a viscoelastic memory foam. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the subject invention the adjustable strap is selectively removable. In a further aspect of the subject invention the foam core further comprises a securing strap, wherein the securing strap includes an at least one mating buckle member. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of the subject invention the mating buckle member is selectively removable. 
         [0008]    In still yet a further aspect of the subject invention, the foam core further comprises a fabric sheath having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the fabric sheath encompasses the foam core. 
         [0009]    In still yet a further aspect of the subject invention the fabric sheath further comprises a means for fastening a mat pad to the first surface of the fabric sheath, wherein the first surface of the fabric sheath is located on the first surface of the foam core. 
         [0010]    In still yet another aspect of the subject invention the fabric sheath further comprises a means for securing an at least one pouch to the head end of the first surface of the fabric sheath or the foot end of the first surface of the fabric sheath, the pouch having a first surface and a second surface. 
         [0011]    In still yet another aspect of the subject invention the first surface or second surface of the pouch comprises an at least one pocket. 
         [0012]    In still yet another aspect of the subject invention the pouch comprises an at least one mating buckle member, wherein the mating buckle member of the pouch cooperates with the mating buckle member of the foam core. 
         [0013]    In still yet a further aspect of the subject invention the foam core further comprises a shoulder on the second surface of the foam core. 
         [0014]    In still yet another aspect of the subject invention the shoulder is selectively removable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of an infant travel carrier with mat pad removed to aid in understanding the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of a further embodiment of an infant travel carrier. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   a  shows a cross section of one embodiment of an inner core of the infant travel carrier. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   b  shows a cross section of another embodiment of the inner core of the infant travel carrier. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3   c  shows a cross section of still another embodiment of the inner core of the infant travel carrier. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3   d  shows a cross section of still another embodiment of the inner core of the infant travel carrier. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a component of a further embodiment of an infant travel carrier. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   a  shows a side view of another component of a further embodiment of an infant travel carrier. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5   b  shows a side view of still another component of a further embodiment of an infant travel carrier. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6   a  shows a top view of a further embodiment of an infant travel carrier. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6   b  shows a bottom view of a further embodiment of an infant travel carrier. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    An infant travel carrier, generally identified by reference numeral  10 , is illustrated in the  FIGS. 1-2 . To provide comfort and stability to a child travel, as well as to the traveling individual, the travel carrier  10  may comprise a viscoelastic memory foam or other suitable material known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the travel carrier  10  may be covered with a fabric sheath  15 . For example, the fabric sheath  15  may include animal skin, nylon, micro fiber, suede, velvet, cotton, flannel or other suitable materials known to one having ordinary skill in the art. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the carrier  10  comprises an adjustable strap  20 , a pouch  30 , a first securing strap  40 , and a second securing strap  45 , a foam core  150  having a first surface  51 , a second surface  53 , a head end  57 , a foot end  59 , a length  1 , a width w, a mat pad  55 , and a raised sidewall  60 . 
         [0027]    In construction, the mat pad  55  may be secured to the first surface of the foam core  50  or the fabric sheath  15  using fabric hook and loop fasteners  52 , however any other suitable means of securing the mat pad  55  to the foam core  150  may be used. 
         [0028]    A pouch  30  having a first surface  31  and a second surface  33  is also provided. The second surface  33  may comprise at least one pocket  35 . The pocket  35  may be used to store child care products. For example, diapers may by stored in pocket  35  to adjust the height of the pouch  30  within the travel carrier  10 . By increasing the number of diapers stored in pocket  35 , the level of the first surface  31  of the pouch  30  is raised relative to the first surface of the foam core  150 . The pouch  30  may be secured to the mat pad  55  at the head end  57  or foot end  59  of the foam core  150 , using hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, or any other means known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally the pouch  30  may be secured to the fabric sheath  15  or foam core  150 . 
         [0029]    A first securing strap  40  having a first mating buckle member  42   a  may be fastened to the sidewall  60  at the midpoint of one side of the length  1  of the core  150 . Similarly, a second securing strap  45  having a second mating buckle member  42   b,  may be fastened to the sidewall  60  at the midpoint of the other side of the length  1  of the core  150 . In operation, the first mating buckle member  42   a  may selectively cooperate with the second mating buckle member  42   b,  joining the first securing strap  40  with the second securing strap  45  to create a unitary strap which may be used to secure a child in the travel carrier  10 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the raised sidewall  60  extends upward from the foam core  150  surrounding the perimeter of the foam core  150 . The raised sidewall  60  may have a first accessory pocket  63  and a second accessory pocket  64  for storing miscellaneous child care products. The raised sidewall  60  may be used to secure a child within the travel carrier  10  while traveling. The sidewall  60  may comprise at least one grommet  62  or other reinforced aperture which may be used to secure toys or other child-oriented devices. 
         [0031]    An adjustable strap  20  may be fastened to the foam core  150 , the fabric sheath  15 , or the raised sidewall  60  at the head end  57  and the foot end  59  of one side of the length  1  of the travel carrier  10  using hook an loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, or any other means known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The adjustable strap  20  comprises a moveable adjustable strap pad  25 . In operation, the adjustable strap  20  may be positioned behind the traveling individual to secure the travel carrier  10  during travel. 
         [0032]    In a further non-limiting embodiment, the travel carrier  10  may comprise a foam core  150 , a fabric sheath  15 , an adjustable strap  20 , a pouch  30 , a first securing strap  40 , and a second securing strap  45 , an oval mat  50  having a first surface  51 , a second surface  53 , a head end  57 , a foot end  59 , a length  1 , a width w, a mat pad  55 , and a raised sidewall  60 . 
         [0033]    In construction, the foam core  150  may comprise a viscoelastic memory foam or other suitable material known to one having ordinary skill in the art. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the foam core  150  may have a first surface  71  and a second surface  72 , wherein the first surface  71  may have a raised side wall  60 . In operation, the raised side wall  60  may be used to create a comfort zone generally identified by reference numeral  80  and to encourage consistent placement of an infant. The second surface  72  may have a shoulder  79 . In operation, the shoulder  79  allows the infant carrier  10  to maintain a stable position. For example, when a caregiver using the infant carrier  10  is in a position where their knees are lower than their hips, the shoulder  79  will be placed closest to the knees, ensuring the infant carrier  10  is in the stable position. The shoulder  79  may be connected to the second surface using hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, or any other means known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0034]    In a further non-limiting embodiment, the foam core  150  may comprise a single segment  73 , wherein the single segment  73  may comprise a shoulder  79  as shown in  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0035]    In another non limiting embodiment, the foam core  150  may comprise at least two segments as shown in  FIG. 3   c.  This embodiment may comprise a top segment  74  comprising a less firm memory foam, thus providing additional comfort to an infant using the infant carrier  10 . This embodiment may further comprise at least one middle segment  75  comprising a memory foam more firm than the foam used in the top segment  74 . 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3   d,  an additional embodiment of the foam core  150  may comprise a first segment  76  and a second segment  77 , wherein the first segment  76  comprises a firm memory foam and the second segment  77  comprises a less firm memory foam. The second segment  77  may form an outer layer encompassing the first segment  76 . 
         [0037]    In yet a further non limiting embodiment, the fabric sheath  15  may comprise a durable, washable, aesthetic material. In operation the fabric sheath  15  may be used to cover the foam core  70 , thus protecting the foam core  150  from any unusual wear. 
         [0038]    In a non-limiting alternate embodiment, the fabric sheath  15  may comprise a shoulder  79  comprising memory foam. Still further, the shoulder  79  may be fastened to the fabric sheath  15  using hook and loop fasteners or using any other means known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. In operation, the fabric sheath  15  comprising the shoulder  79  may be used to cover a foam core  70  not having the shoulder  79 . 
         [0039]    A further non-limiting embodiment, the travel carrier  10  may include a utility bag  90 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the utility bag  90  may comprise a surface  91 , an open end  92 , a closure device  93 , a selectively removable attachment member  94 , a attachment member  95 , a securing strap  96 . In construction, the closure device  93  may be attached to or made part of the open end  92 . In operation, a user can pull the closure device  93  to close the open end  92 , thus preventing items from disbursing from the utility bag  90 . The attachment member  95  may be attached to or made part of the utility bag  90 . In operation a user may attach items like a pacifier to the utility bag  90 , using the attachment member  95  to secure the items. The removable attachment member  94  may be attached to or made part of the utility bag  90 . In operation a user may attach the utility bag  90 , to an airplane tray table or the back of an airplane seat. In operation, the securing strap  96  may be used to carry the utility bag  90  separate from the travel carrier  10  or the securing strap  96  may be used to carrier the utility bag  90  and the travel carrier  10  jointly. 
         [0040]    In a further non-limiting embodiment, the utility bag  90 , may have at least one storage compartment  97 , wherein the storage compartment  97  may be attached to or made part of the surface  91 . The storage compartment  97  may be used to partition the open end  93  of the utility bag  90 . In operation, the partitioning of the open end  93  will assist users to organize contents stored in the utility bag  90 . 
         [0041]    In another non-limiting embodiment, the utility bag  90  may be secured to the travel carrier  10  to become a full diaper bag  100  as shown in  FIG. 5   b.  The utility bag  90  may be fastened to the travel carrier  10  using at least one mating member  102  or by any means known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0042]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.