Dual function protective baby carrier

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's head from neck strain and environmental damage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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's back or in front of the wearer's diaphragm. These prior art baby carriers typically allow the wearer to protect and transport the baby while generally leaving the wearer'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.

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'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's head, or having to remove the baby from the carrier, is unaddressed by the prior art.

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

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.

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's waist. The baby's weight may be at least partially transferred to the wearer's body through the waist strap.

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.

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.

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'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'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'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

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.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invented baby carrier (or, “first carrier”2) in use carrying a human baby4or baby4(hereinafter “baby”4) in a backpack configuration.FIG. 1further illustrates the first carrier2mounted on and about the torso of a person6(hereinafter “wearer”) so that the baby4is secured in the baby carrier2and faces in the same direction as the wearer6.

FIG. 2illustrates the first carrier2mounted upon a front side of the wearer6so that the baby4faces in the opposite direction of the direction faced by the wearer6while the baby4is seated in the first carrier2. In practice, the first carrier2may be mounted upon a torso of the preferably adult-sized wearer6in a number of ways by, for example, adjusting one or both of arm panels8&10, or “shoulder straps”8&10. As shown inFIG. 5andFIGS. 6A through 6D, the first carrier2is also configurable as a seat harness. As will be described in greater detail below, the first carrier2may be configured to secure the baby4to an adult-sized chair12or other types of chairs and certain external objects. The shoulder straps8&10are typically designed to withstand the strain of supporting the baby4and also reducing the discomfort for the wearer6. As such, the shoulder straps8&10may include padding or other features that provide comfort for the wearer6of the baby4. The padding may also afford protection for the back portion of chairs12from scratching or the like by the shoulder straps8&10.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 3,FIG. 3is a full interior side view of the first carrier2. A back panel14has an interior side14A, and exterior side14B as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The back panel14further is shaped with a top edge14C, a bottom edge14D, a left edge14E and a right edge14F. The right shoulder strap10is attached to the back panel14at a right side of the top edge14C and a right side of the bottom edge14D. The left shoulder strap8is attached at a left side of the top edge14C and a left side of the bottom edge14D. A waist strap16is attached to the back panel along the back panel bottom edge14D. The shoulder straps8&10are each separately adjustable in length to accommodate the size and strap length preference of the wearer6.

The back panel14further comprises a first panel aperture14G and a second panel aperture14H through which strapping may be extended, as described below.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 4,FIG. 4is a full exterior side view of the first carrier2having a deployable seat panel18enclosed within a seat pocket20and further including a head cover fabric22concealed from view in a hood pocket24. A seat pocket zipper assembly26A and a seat pocket fabric26B in combination with the back panel14form the seat pocket20. The seat panel pocket fabric26B is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the back panel14and the seat pocket zipper assembly26A. The seat pocket zipper assembly26A is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the back panel14and the seat pocket fabric26B to selectably close and open the seat pocket20to alternate store and allow deployment of the seat panel18as desired by the wearer.

An exterior pocket fabric28is attached to the seat pocket20and further comprises a second zipper assembly30to form an additional exterior seat pocket31for storage of objects and materials. The exterior panel pocket fabric28is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the seat pocket fabric26B and the second pocket zipper assembly30. The second pocket zipper assembly30is sewn, adhered or otherwise attached to both the seat pocket fabric26B and the exterior pocket fabric28to selectably open and close the exterior pocket31to alternately store end enable access to the objects and materials as desired by the wearer.

It is understood that the either or both the seat pocket zipper assembly26A or the second pocket zipper assembly30may 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.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 5,FIG. 5is a perspective view of the first carrier2with the seat panel18deployed. In practice, the wearer6, or other person or care giver, removes the seat panel18from the seat pocket20and extends an adjustable length band30of the seat panel18around the chair12. The shoulder straps8&10and the waist strap16may additionally be positioned to encompass the chair12and to temporarily secure the back panel14to the chair12.

The back panel14and the seat panel18form a left leg aperture LL through which the baby's left leg4L may extend and a right leg aperture RL through which the baby's right leg4L may extend.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 6A,FIG. 6Ais an isolated view of the seat panel18. The adjustable band30includes a right band length30A, a left band length30B and a band coupling assembly30C &30D, the band coupling assembly30C &30D for detachably coupling the right band length30A and the second band length30B. When the child4is positioned on the chair12as shown inFIG. 5, the right band length30A preferably extends through the first panel aperture14G and the left band length30B preferably extends through the second panel aperture14H.

The band coupling assembly30C &30D may additionally enable the length adjustment of the adjustable band30. In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the band coupling assembly30C &30D 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.

The seat panel18includes seat fabric18A having a securing edge18B, wherein the seat fabric18A is attached back panel14. The right band length30A and the left band length30B are attached to the seat fabric18A, and the adjustable length band30in combination with the seat fabric18A may be positioned to encircle the back panel14.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 6B,FIG. 6Bis a view of the seat panel18as extending from the seat pocket20of the back panel14and positioned to receive the baby4. The first carrier2is preferably prepared to support the baby4by the wearer6, or other care giver, looping and tightening the left and right shoulder straps8&10and the waist strap16around the chair12and thereby detachably coupling these straps8,10&16the chair12.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 6CandFIG. 6D,FIG. 6CandFIG. 6Dare views of the seat panel18extending from the back panel14and positioned to receive the baby4. A table cord32further extends from the seat pocket20of the pack panel14. The table cord32optionally includes a right cord length32A, a left cord length32B and a cord coupling assembly32C &32D, the cord coupling assembly32C &32D for detachably coupling the right cord length32A and the second cord length32B.

The cord coupling assembly32C &32D may additionally enable the length adjustment of the cord32. In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cord coupling assembly32C &32D 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.

The first carrier2, to include the back panel14, the waist strap16, the seat fabric18A, the head cover fabric22, the adjustable band30, the table cord32, and the shoulder straps8&10may 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 fabric18A may typically have the same shape as that shown inFIG. 5andFIGS. 6A-6D, but may have other shapes, such as rectangular, hour-glass, or the like.

The securing devices30C,30D,32C &32D may be any type of suitable fastener known in the art, including variations of the male and female fasteners shown inFIGS. 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 devices30C,30D,32C &32D may be formed of organic or synthetic rubber, plastic, fabric, or the like.

Various elements1-44of the first carrier2may 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.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 7,FIG. 7illustrates the table cord32deployed around legs34A &34B of a table34, whereby the baby4is seated and secured within the seat panel18and the first carrier2is detachably coupled with both chair12by a combination of the shoulder straps8&10, the waist strap16and the seat panel18, and simultaneously detachably coupled with the table34by the table cord32. The effective length of the table cord32that encompasses one or more table legs34A &34B may be adjusted by means of the varying the positions of the cord coupling assembly32C &32D along the right cord length32A, a left cord length32B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 8,FIG. 8is a perspective view of the first carrier2with the head cover fabric22deployed over a baby's head36. The head cover fabric22when deployed as shown inFIG. 8reduces the free motion of the baby's head36and thereby reduces the possibility of neck strain by the baby4and further encourages the baby4to sleep while enclosed with the first carrier2.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 9,FIG. 9illustrates ahead cover assembly38that includes the head cover fabric22, a retracting cord40A attached to a top edge22A of the head cover fabric22, a right pull strip42A and a left pull strip42B. The retracting cord40A may further comprise additional retracting cords40A &40B. One or more retracting cords40A-40C, the right pull strip42A and/or the left pull strip42B may be attached to a top edge22A of the head cover fabric22, by which attachment the wearer6may manipulate the positioning of the head cover fabric22relative to the baby's head36. The retracting cord40A may pass through a cord aperture40D of the back panel14, whereby the location of the cord aperture40D is exposed to allow the wearer6to reach behind the exterior surface14B, manually locate the retracting cord40A &40A-C to pull the retracting cord40A in a direction away from the baby's head36and thereby pull the head cover fabric22totally away from the baby's head36, or readjust the head cover fabric22in relation to the baby's head36.

The wearer4may also use the right pull strip42A and the left pull strip42B to pull the head cover fabric22toward or over from the baby's head36, or readjust the head cover fabric22in relation to the baby's head36. As discussed below, the right pull strip42A and the left pull strip42B may additionally be used to secure the position of the head cover fabric22by detachable attachment to one or more shoulder straps8&10.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 9,FIG. 9illustrates a head cover assembly38that includes the head cover fabric22, a retracting cord40A attached to a top edge22A of the head cover fabric22, a right pull strip42A and a left pull strip42B. The retracting cord40A may further comprise additional retracting cords40A &40B. One or more retracting cords40A-40C, the right pull strip42A and/or the left pull strip42B may be attached to a top edge22A of the head cover fabric22, by which attachment the wearer6may manipulate the positioning of the head cover fabric22relative to the baby's head36. The retracting cord40A may pass through a cord aperture40D of the back panel14, whereby the location of the cord aperture40D is exposed to allow the wearer6to reach behind the exterior surface14B, manually locate the retracting cord40A &40A-C to pull the retracting cord40A in a direction away from the baby's head36and thereby pull the head cover fabric22totally away from the baby's head36, or readjust the head cover fabric22in relation to the baby's head36.

The wearer4may also use the right pull strip42A and the left pull strip42B to pull the head cover fabric22toward or over from the baby's head36, or readjust the head cover fabric22in relation to the baby's head36. As discussed below, the right pull strip42A and the left pull strip42B may additionally be used to secure the position of the head cover fabric22by detachable attachment to one or more shoulder straps8&10.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 10,FIG. 10illustrates the wearer6manually pulling the right pull strip42A and the left pull strip42B out of the hood pocket24and for positioning in contact with and relative to the baby's head36.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 11,FIG. 11illustrates the baby4seated and secured within the first carrier2wherein the baby4is directly disposed between the wearer6and the interior side14A of the back panel14. A temporary attachment fixture44is formed by a temporary attachment of a snap fastener element44A and a complementary snap fastener element44B as manually effected by the wearer6. For example, snap fastener element44A may be a snap fastener stud and the complementary snap fastener element44B may be a matching snap fastener socket.

Each of the pull strings42A &42B include a plurality of snap fixture elements44A that may each be removably coupled with a complementary snap elements44B (as shown inFIG. 4), wherein each complementary snap element44B is located on one of the shoulder straps8&10. By selecting which snap fixture element44A to temporarily connect with a selected complementary snap element44B, the wearer can select how much tension to direct against the baby's head36to stabilize the baby's head36.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly toFIG. 12,FIG. 12illustrates the wearer6pulling the retracting cord40A-40C to cause the head cover fabric22to pull toward, and possibly into, the head cover pocket24and away from the baby's head36.

The first carrier2, to include the head cover assembly38, the retracting cord40A-40C, and the pull strings42A &42B 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 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.