Abstract:
A device and method for carrying and protecting a child in a first arrangement, and for securing a child to a stationary object in a second arrangement, are provided. In one version, the device includes a base panel having an interior side and an exterior side, wherein a crotch panel is deployable from the exterior side. Straps are provided for securing a child between the interior side and a wearer of the device. The device further includes a waist panel that secures the child in place in when carrying the child in the first arrangement, and also for attachment of the device in the second arrangement to a stationary object, such as to a standard sized chair or a seat in a vehicle. A retractable hood is further optionally provided to protect the child&#39;s head from neck strain and environmental damage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/128,198 as filed on May 28, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for protecting and carrying human babies, and more particularly to baby carriers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Prior art portable baby carriers are available that allow a user to support maintain a human baby in a position of safety behind the wearer&#39;s back or in front of the wearer&#39;s diaphragm. These prior art baby carriers typically allow the wearer to protect and transport the baby while generally leaving the wearer&#39;s hands to be available and free. In addition to carrying a baby, a care provider of a child will occasionally or often wish to position the baby securely and safely in a stationary location. Yet the prior art fails to provide for a baby carrier child seat that is a deployable for safely securing a child with an external object, yet minimizes interference with the wearer when the carrier is being prepared for use, and used in, carrying the baby. 
         [0004]    The prior art also fails to optimally provide for a head protection for a baby when the baby is positioned in a baby carrier and against the wearer&#39;s back. The difficulty of reaching behind the baby in this position to deploy, maintain and remove baby head protection without accidently striking the baby&#39;s head, or having to remove the baby from the carrier, is unaddressed by the prior art. 
         [0005]    Thus, there exists a need for a dual purpose baby carrier. It would be advantageous to have a baby carrier that can provide a capability of safely and securely positioning a baby with an external object, wherein the ease of use of the baby carrier is not degraded by the means to position the baby with the external object. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This and other objects of the present invention are made obvious in light of this disclosure, wherein a method and device for carrying a human baby are provided. An invented carrier includes means for seating a baby between a human wearer of the carrier an internal side of the wearer. One or more torso straps encircle the wearer in combination with a back panel to hold the baby securely between the wearer and the back panel. 
         [0007]    Two shoulder straps may provide the function of a torso strap. A waist strap may further secure the back panel to the wearer by, in combination with the back panel, encircling the wearer&#39;s waist. The baby&#39;s weight may be at least partially transferred to the wearer&#39;s body through the waist strap. 
         [0008]    A crotch panel may be deployable in a first arrangement to not interfere with the placement, seating, maintenance and removal of the baby with the carrier, and further positioned in a second arrangement to secure the baby outside of the back panel. A band extend from the crotch panel and, in combination with the crotch panel, encircles the baby and an external object, such as a chair, wherein the interior side of the back panel is disposed between the child and the external object. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to deploy a baby carrier in a carrying position as worn by a child, adolescent or adult, and alternatively in a securing position to safely position the baby with an external object, wherein the means to secure the baby do not interfere with use of the carrier in the carrying position. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect of the method of the present invention, a retractable cover is provided that may be positioned on and removed from a baby&#39;s head while the baby is carried behind the back of a wearer of the carrier. A retractable cord may optionally be provided to assist in removing the head cover from the baby&#39;s head while the baby is seated in the carrier and behind the wearer. One or more pull straps may optionally be provided to assist in pulling the head cover over the baby&#39;s head while the baby is seated in the carrier and behind the wearer. The carrier may be further configured to enable sustained positioning of the head cover by temporarily coupling of one or more pull straps with a torso strap, such as a shoulder strap. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0011]    All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0012]    Such incorporations include United States Patent Application Publication No. 20050051582 (Inventor: Frost, Karin A.; published Mar. 10, 2005) titled “Baby carrier”; United States Patent Application Publication No. 20050287909 (Inventor: Gelfond, Lisa Ellen, published Dec. 29, 2005) titled “Infant mobile”; United States Patent Application Publication No. 20070066446 (Inventors: Gelfond, Lisa Ellen, et al.; published Mar. 22, 2007) titled “Collapsible umbrella gym”, and United States Patent Application Publication No. 20090078729 (Inventor: Coote, Diana; published on Mar. 26, 2009) titled “Baby carrier”. 
         [0013]    Such incorporations further include U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,771 (Inventor: Norman, L.; issued on Jul. 29, 2003) titled “Infant carrier”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,983 (Inventor: Norman, L.; issued on Jul. 20, 2004) titled “Infant carrier”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,405 (Inventor: Norman, L.; issued on Nov. 9, 2004) Titled “Car seat support member”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,749 (Inventor: Norman, I.; issued on Feb. 8, 2005) titled “Multi-function shopping cart insert”. 
         [0014]    The publications discussed or mentioned herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Furthermore, the dates of publication provided herein may differ from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]    These, and further features of various aspects of the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invented baby carrier (or, “first carrier”) in use carrying a baby in a backpack configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first carrier in use carrying a baby in a front pack configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a full interior side view of the first carrier; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a full exterior side view of the first carrier with an exterior seat hidden within a seat pocket and a hood cover hidden from view in a hood pocket; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first carrier with the exterior seat deployed; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is an isolated view of the exterior seat; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a view of a seat panel of  FIG. 6A  as extending from the back panel of the first carrier and positioned to receive a child; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  is another view of a seat panel of  FIG. 6A  as extending from the back panel of the first carrier and positioned to receive a child; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6D  is yet another view of the seat panel of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a table cord of the first carrier deployed around a pair of legs of a table; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first carrier with the first head cover deployed over a baby&#39;s head; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates a head cover assembly of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a wearer pulling a pair pull straps of  FIG. 8  separately toward individual shoulder straps of the first carrier; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a view of a baby seated and secured within the first carrier an protected by the head cover assembly of  FIGS. 8 through 10 ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a view of a wearer of the first carrier pulling a retracting cord head cover assembly of  FIGS. 8 through 10  to cause a head cover fabric to pull toward, and possibly into, the head cover pocket of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8  through  11 , and away from a baby&#39;s head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0032]    Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
         [0033]    Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
         [0034]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described. 
         [0035]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invented baby carrier (or, “first carrier”  2 ) in use carrying a human baby  4  or baby  4  (hereinafter “baby”  4 ) in a backpack configuration.  FIG. 1  further illustrates the first carrier  2  mounted on and about the torso of a person  6  (hereinafter “wearer”) so that the baby  4  is secured in the baby carrier  2  and faces in the same direction as the wearer  6 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates the first carrier  2  mounted upon a front side of the wearer  6  so that the baby  4  faces in the opposite direction of the direction faced by the wearer  6  while the baby  4  is seated in the first carrier  2 . In practice, the first carrier  2  may be mounted upon a torso of the preferably adult-sized wearer  6  in a number of ways by, for example, adjusting one or both of arm panels  8  &amp;  10 , or “shoulder straps”  8  &amp;  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 6A through 6D , the first carrier  2  is also configurable as a seat harness. As will be described in greater detail below, the first carrier  2  may be configured to secure the baby  4  to an adult-sized chair  12  or other types of chairs and certain external objects. The shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10  are typically designed to withstand the strain of supporting the baby  4  and also reducing the discomfort for the wearer  6 . As such, the shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10  may include padding or other features that provide comfort for the wearer  6  of the baby  4 . The padding may also afford protection for the back portion of chairs  12  from scratching or the like by the shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10 . 
         [0038]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a full interior side view of the first carrier  2 . A back panel  14  has an interior side  14 A, and exterior side  14 B as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The back panel  14  further is shaped with a top edge  14 C, a bottom edge  14 D, a left edge  14 E and a right edge  14 F. The right shoulder strap  10  is attached to the back panel  14  at a right side of the top edge  14 C and a right side of the bottom edge  14 D. The left shoulder strap  8  is attached at a left side of the top edge  14 C and a left side of the bottom edge  14 D. A waist strap  16  is attached to the back panel along the back panel bottom edge  14 D. The shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10  are each separately adjustable in length to accommodate the size and strap length preference of the wearer  6 . 
         [0039]    The back panel  14  further comprises a first panel aperture  14 G and a second panel aperture  14 H through which strapping may be extended, as described below. 
         [0040]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a full exterior side view of the first carrier  2  having a deployable seat panel  18  enclosed within a seat pocket  20  and further including a head cover fabric  22  concealed from view in a hood pocket  24 . A seat pocket zipper assembly  26 A and a seat pocket fabric  26 B in combination with the back panel  14  form the seat pocket  20 . The seat panel pocket fabric  26 B is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the back panel  14  and the seat pocket zipper assembly  26 A. The seat pocket zipper assembly  26 A is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the back panel  14  and the seat pocket fabric  26 B to selectably close and open the seat pocket  20  to alternate store and allow deployment of the seat panel  18  as desired by the wearer. 
         [0041]    An exterior pocket fabric  28  is attached to the seat pocket  20  and further comprises a second zipper assembly  30  to form an additional exterior seat pocket  31  for storage of objects and materials. The exterior panel pocket fabric  28  is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the seat pocket fabric  26 B and the second pocket zipper assembly  30 . The second pocket zipper assembly  30  is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the seat pocket fabric  26 B and the exterior pocket fabric  28  to selectably open and close the exterior pocket  31  to alternately store end enable access to the objects and materials as desired by the wearer. 
         [0042]    It is understood that the either or both the seat pocket zipper assembly  26 A or the second pocket zipper assembly  30  may be replaced or augmented with one or more snap fastener stud and socket matched pairs, VELCRO™ hook and loop fastener elements, as marketed by Velcro USA, Inc. of Manchester, N.H., and/or other suitable fastening elements known in the art. 
         [0043]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first carrier  2  with the seat panel  18  deployed. In practice, the wearer  6 , or other person or care giver, removes the seat panel  18  from the seat pocket  20  and extends an adjustable length band  30  of the seat panel  18  around the chair  12 . The shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10  and the waist strap  16  may additionally be positioned to encompass the chair  12  and to temporarily secure the back panel  14  to the chair  12 . 
         [0044]    The back panel  14  and the seat panel  18  form a left leg aperture LL through which the baby&#39;s left leg  4 L may extend and a right leg aperture RL through which the baby&#39;s right leg  4 L may extend. 
         [0045]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6A  is an isolated view of the seat panel  18 . The adjustable band  30  includes a right band length  30 A, a left band length  30 B and a band coupling assembly  30 C &amp;  30 D, the band coupling assembly  30 C &amp;  30 D for detachably coupling the right band length  30 A and the second band length  30 B. When the child  4  is positioned on the chair  12  as shown in  FIG. 5 , the right band length  30 A preferably extends through the first panel aperture  14 G and the left band length  30 B preferably extends through the second panel aperture  14 H. 
         [0046]    The band coupling assembly  30 C &amp;  30 D may additionally enable the length adjustment of the adjustable band  30 . In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the band coupling assembly  30 C &amp;  30 D may be a side squeeze buckle assembly, such as selected form a Stealth Warrior™ and Stealth Side™ side squeeze buckle assembly part number pair group of 6403 and 6404; 6358 and 6359; 6581 and 6583; 5614 and 5615; 5616 and 5617; DA003D and DA003K; and DA003Da and DA003Ka as distributed by John Howard Company of Chino, Calif., or other suitable detachable attachment paired elements known in the art. 
         [0047]    The seat panel  18  includes seat fabric  18 A having a securing edge  18 B, wherein the seat fabric  18 A is attached back panel  14 . The right band length  30 A and the left band length  30 B are attached to the seat fabric  18 A, and the adjustable length band  30  in combination with the seat fabric  18 A may be positioned to encircle the back panel  14 . 
         [0048]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6B  is a view of the seat panel  18  as extending from the seat pocket  20  of the back panel  14  and positioned to receive the baby  4 . The first carrier  2  is preferably prepared to support the baby  4  by the wearer  6 , or other care giver, looping and tightening the left and right shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10  and the waist strap  16  around the chair  12  and thereby detachably coupling these straps  8 ,  10  &amp;  16  the chair  12 . 
         [0049]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 6C  and  FIG. 6D ,  FIG. 6C  and  FIG. 6D  are views of the seat panel  18  extending from the back panel  14  and positioned to receive the baby  4 . A table cord  32  further extends from the seat pocket  20  of the pack panel  14 . The table cord  32  optionally includes a right cord length  32 A, a left cord length  32 B and a cord coupling assembly  32 C &amp;  32 D, the cord coupling assembly  32 C &amp;  32 D for detachably coupling the right cord length  32 A and the second cord length  32 B. 
         [0050]    The cord coupling assembly  32 C &amp;  32 D may additionally enable the length adjustment of the cord  32 . In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cord coupling assembly  32 C &amp;  32 D may be a side squeeze buckle assembly, such as selected form a Stealth Warrior™ and Stealth Side™ side squeeze buckle assembly part number pair group of 6403 and 6404; 6358 and 6359; 6581 and 6583; 5614 and 5615; 5616 and 5617; DA003D and DA003K; and DA003Da and DA003Ka as distributed by John Howard Company of Chino, Calif., or other suitable detachable attachment paired elements known in the art. 
         [0051]    The first carrier  2 , to include the back panel  14 , the waist strap  16 , the seat fabric  18 A, the head cover fabric  22 , the adjustable band  30 , the table cord  32 , and the shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10  may be made from or partly comprise various materials including canvas, nylon, synthetic fiber, or any type of suitable natural or artificial material or fibers known in the art and may include washable, deformable, and dryable materials. The seat fabric  18 A may typically have the same shape as that shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 6A-6D , but may have other shapes, such as rectangular, hour-glass, or the like. 
         [0052]    The securing devices  30 C,  30 D,  32 C &amp;  32 D may be any type of suitable fastener known in the art, including variations of the male and female fasteners shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D , VELCRO™ hook and loop fastener element, as marketed by Velcro USA, Inc. of Manchester, N.H., snap fastener stud and socket matched pairs, or the like. The securing devices  30 C,  30 D,  32 C &amp;  32 D may be formed of organic or synthetic rubber, plastic, fabric, or the like. 
         [0053]    Various elements  1 - 44  of the first carrier  2  may be attached respectively, by a piece of thread (i.e., sewing the pieces together), adhesives, glue, or various other items used to secure objects, particularly fabrics, together. 
         [0054]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates the table cord  32  deployed around legs  34 A &amp;  34 B of a table  34 , whereby the baby  4  is seated and secured within the seat panel  18  and the first carrier  2  is detachably coupled with both chair  12  by a combination of the shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10 , the waist strap  16  and the seat panel  18 , and simultaneously detachably coupled with the table  34  by the table cord  32 . The effective length of the table cord  32  that encompasses one or more table legs  34 A &amp;  34 B may be adjusted by means of the varying the positions of the cord coupling assembly  32 C &amp;  32 D along the right cord length  32 A, a left cord length  32 B. 
         [0055]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first carrier  2  with the head cover fabric  22  deployed over a baby&#39;s head  36 . The head cover fabric  22  when deployed as shown in  FIG. 8  reduces the free motion of the baby&#39;s head  36  and thereby reduces the possibility of neck strain by the baby  4  and further encourages the baby  4  to sleep while enclosed with the first carrier  2 . 
         [0056]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  illustrates ahead cover assembly  38  that includes the head cover fabric  22 , a retracting cord  40 A attached to a top edge  22 A of the head cover fabric  22 , a right pull strip  42 A and a left pull strip  42 B. The retracting cord  40 A may further comprise additional retracting cords  40 A &amp;  40 B. One or more retracting cords  40 A- 40 C, the right pull strip  42 A and/or the left pull strip  42 B may be attached to a top edge  22 A of the head cover fabric  22 , by which attachment the wearer  6  may manipulate the positioning of the head cover fabric  22  relative to the baby&#39;s head  36 . The retracting cord  40 A may pass through a cord aperture  40 D of the back panel  14 , whereby the location of the cord aperture  40 D is exposed to allow the wearer  6  to reach behind the exterior surface  14 B, manually locate the retracting cord  40 A &amp;  40 A-C to pull the retracting cord  40 A in a direction away from the baby&#39;s head  36  and thereby pull the head cover fabric  22  totally away from the baby&#39;s head  36 , or readjust the head cover fabric  22  in relation to the baby&#39;s head  36 . 
         [0057]    The wearer  4  may also use the right pull strip  42 A and the left pull strip  42 B to pull the head cover fabric  22  toward or over from the baby&#39;s head  36 , or readjust the head cover fabric  22  in relation to the baby&#39;s head  36 . As discussed below, the right pull strip  42 A and the left pull strip  42 B may additionally be used to secure the position of the head cover fabric  22  by detachable attachment to one or more shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10 . 
         [0058]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  illustrates a head cover assembly  38  that includes the head cover fabric  22 , a retracting cord  40 A attached to a top edge  22 A of the head cover fabric  22 , a right pull strip  42 A and a left pull strip  42 B. The retracting cord  40 A may further comprise additional retracting cords  40 A &amp;  40 B. One or more retracting cords  40 A- 40 C, the right pull strip  42 A and/or the left pull strip  42 B may be attached to a top edge  22 A of the head cover fabric  22 , by which attachment the wearer  6  may manipulate the positioning of the head cover fabric  22  relative to the baby&#39;s head  36 . The retracting cord  40 A may pass through a cord aperture  40 D of the back panel  14 , whereby the location of the cord aperture  40 D is exposed to allow the wearer  6  to reach behind the exterior surface  14 B, manually locate the retracting cord  40 A &amp;  40 A-C to pull the retracting cord  40 A in a direction away from the baby&#39;s head  36  and thereby pull the head cover fabric  22  totally away from the baby&#39;s head  36 , or readjust the head cover fabric  22  in relation to the baby&#39;s head  36 . 
         [0059]    The wearer  4  may also use the right pull strip  42 A and the left pull strip  42 B to pull the head cover fabric  22  toward or over from the baby&#39;s head  36 , or readjust the head cover fabric  22  in relation to the baby&#39;s head  36 . As discussed below, the right pull strip  42 A and the left pull strip  42 B may additionally be used to secure the position of the head cover fabric  22  by detachable attachment to one or more shoulder straps  8  &amp;  10 . 
         [0060]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  illustrates the wearer  6  manually pulling the right pull strip  42 A and the left pull strip  42 B out of the hood pocket  24  and for positioning in contact with and relative to the baby&#39;s head  36 . 
         [0061]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 11  illustrates the baby  4  seated and secured within the first carrier  2  wherein the baby  4  is directly disposed between the wearer  6  and the interior side  14 A of the back panel  14 . A temporary attachment fixture  44  is formed by a temporary attachment of a snap fastener element  44 A and a complementary snap fastener element  44 B as manually effected by the wearer  6 . For example, snap fastener element  44 A may be a snap fastener stud and the complementary snap fastener element  44 B may be a matching snap fastener socket. 
         [0062]    Each of the pull strings  42 A &amp;  42 B include a plurality of snap fixture elements  44 A that may each be removably coupled with a complementary snap elements  44 B (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), wherein each complementary snap element  44 B is located on one of the shoulder straps  8  &amp; 10 . By selecting which snap fixture element  44 A to temporarily connect with a selected complementary snap element  44 B, the wearer can select how much tension to direct against the baby&#39;s head  36  to stabilize the baby&#39;s head  36 . 
         [0063]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 12  illustrates the wearer  6  pulling the retracting cord  40 A- 40 C to cause the head cover fabric  22  to pull toward, and possibly into, the head cover pocket  24  and away from the baby&#39;s head  36 . 
         [0064]    The first carrier  2 , to include the head cover assembly  38 , the retracting cord  40 A- 40 C, and the pull strings  42 A &amp;  42 B may be made from or partly comprise various materials including canvas, nylon, synthetic fiber, or any type of suitable natural or artificial material or fibers known in the art and may include washable, deformable, and dryable materials. 
         [0065]    The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the present invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the present invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible applications of the present invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the applications of the present invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described applications can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.