Baby carrier and backpack system and method of use

A baby carrier and backpack system that allows for the convenient carrying of baby or child in a carrier that is attached to a backpack. The backpack supports the straps and buckles to hold the baby on the adult's chest. The backpack also carries the items such as diapers, wipes, toys, treats and the like as need to care for the baby.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to baby carriers and backpacks, and more specifically, to a backpack that includes a detachable front-side baby carrier, thereby providing for a system that can be easily and conveniently used as a backpack and/or a baby carrier and further includes a convenient carry system for diapers, wipes and other baby essentials, and further includes a cooler apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

A variety of diaper bags and infant carriers currently exist. Common diaper bags include handles and/or a shoulder strap that enables the bag to be carried over the shoulder or across the shoulder as an infant is held in the adult's arms. When carrying an infant long distance or over a long duration, such as in a park or in a retail store, it is common to place the infant in a carrier to assist the parent or guardian as they walk with the infant or small child. There are a variety of carrier styles that provide several modes of carrying an infant or small child including in the front, on the hip, in a reclined position, or on the back of an adult.

It is common to witness parents or caregivers juggle both a diaper bag and a carrier while getting tangled in multiple straps as they try to provide on-the-go care for their infant or small child. Alternatively, it is also common to see parents or caregivers wear a front-side baby carrier and wear their backpack over and in addition to the support system on their back. However, once the child decides they don't want to be in the carrier, there is nowhere to store the support system and carrier. These two-piece systems are often large and bulky and don't easily fit in a backpack; especially with all the other childcare items stored in the backpack. The result is that many parents will either forgo the carrier or the diaper bag to simplify their journey outside the home. However, this is not an effective solution.

Infants and small children are ‘high maintenance’ and leaving a diaper bag behind may result in ending an outing sooner than anticipated. For example, if a child requires a new diaper, change of clothes, food, a favorite toy, or the like and they are not on hand, the trip must end or become substantially less productive or enjoyable.

On the other hand, deciding to forgo or forgetting to bring a carrier can make it difficult to make a stops where the child must exit the vehicle such as a trip to the mall, a bookstore, a stroll on a beach or park because carrying an infant or small child is stressful on the back and arms without the assistance of a carrier. The situation is also problematic when a stroller is not practical such as on stairs, buses, airplanes, escalators and the like.

Transporting an infant outside the home, often requires the parent or caregiver to bring along numerous items. These include items such as diapers, a changing pad, wipes, extra clothes, food, and toys in addition to essential parent's or caregiver's valuables such as a wallet, keys, a cell phone, and the like. Trying to fit most of the child's and adult's belongings into a small pouch or pocket is impractical and at best inconvenient. Carrying an additional diaper bag for those items can also be inconvenient and cumbersome.

Furthermore, toddlers often wish to practice their newly acquired walking skills so a carrier device is not always needed, yet, the convenience of having a carrier at one's fingertips is extremely useful.

What is needed is a diaper bag in the form of a backpack that can act as the support system to a front side soft infant carrier when needed.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of baby carries and backpack, many shortcomings remain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional baby carriers and backpacks. Specifically, the present invention uses one device to provide means of carrying an infant or small child on the chest of a caregiver while also carrying the items needed to care for such on the back of the caregiver. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,FIG. 1depicts a side view of a baby carrier and backpack system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system101overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional baby carriers and backpacks.

In the contemplated embodiment, system101includes a front-side child carrier103removably attached to a backpack105via a harness115. The backpack105includes pockets107that are configured to hold and store items that are used to care for an infant or a small child. Further, the backpack105includes compartments109that also store or hold items. The backpack105also includes an insulated compartment111near the bottom113thereof.

It is contemplated that the backpack105be used for a variety of activities, including hiking and the like, wherein a detachable front-side baby carrier can attach to the backpack and be removed for the user's convenience. This feature provides for a user to have both a backpack and a front-side baby carrier, instead of conventional systems that require the user to utilize two separate apparatuses at the same time.

It is contemplated that the system could include features such as water-resistant zippers ripstop nylon or other features that improve the ability of the system to carry a child and the items needed to care therefor.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that the harness115allows the use of the front-side child carrier103without extra equipment and that the backpack provides the support for the harness115and the carrier103while storing the items needed to care of the child.

It will be understood that the backpack105is configured to carry items or objects in the pockets107and compartments109thereof. It will, therefore, be understood that the backpack105will have a back, a front and side walls or panels so to form. It is not the intent of this disclosure to redefine a backpack but to demonstrate the novel ability to support a front-side child carrier thereon.

Referring now toFIG. 2the backpack105is opened to depict another novel feature of the invention. When the pocket107opens to reveal a first compartment201that stores cream or another topical ointment and a second compartment203that dispenses wipes. At the bottom of the pocket107is a space to store diapers. The interior of the pocket107includes an attachment point205that allows a mat207to attach thereto. The mat207has a matching attachment point209that is configured to hold the mat207to the backpack105. It is contemplated that the mat207includes a waterproof surface211. It is contemplated that the mat207is configured to fold and store in the pocket107.

It will be appreciated that mat207with the first compartment201and second compartment203provide a convenient place to change the baby. It is contemplated that any item or method of changing a baby could be incorporated in the backpack105and its pockets107.

FIG. 3depicts alternative embodiments of the interior pockets107of the backpack. Embodiment301includes a compartment303with elastic binding that allows for storage where embodiment305includes hooks307and loops309that could hold hanging items such as bags311. It is contemplated that straps313could also be used to close or secure pouch315.

Referring now toFIG. 4the backpack105is further depicted without the front-side child carrier103. The backpack105includes straps401that hold the pack to a user. The backpack also has buckles405that allow for straps or other parts of the harness115or carrier103to attach to the backpack105. It is further contemplated that the backpack105could have handles403, waist straps407, chest strap and the like to accommodate the carrying or movement of thereof.

The front-side child carrier103is further depicted removed from the backpack105inFIGS. 5A and 5B. The carrier103includes pads501and cutouts503that are configured to comfortably hold the child in a variety of positions, such as facing in, facing out or the like. The cutouts503are intended to accommodate the appendages of the child. The carrier103also includes straps505and buckles507that arrange the pads501such as tightening. The straps505and buckles507attach the carrier to the backpack105or harness115. The carrier103folds or gathers together as depicted by motion A to form the place where the child is carried.

Referring now toFIG. 6the backpack is depicted with the insulated compartment111open. It is contemplated that the insulated compartment111includes an opening703to a waterproof space705. It will be understood that food or drinks for the child or the adult are stored in an insulated container707as well. It is also contemplated that a web701could be used on the outside of the backpack to further increase the carrying capacity of the backpack105.

It is contemplated that the system could be used to hold or store items for the adult or caregiver as well as the child. For example, padded laptop pockets, clips, straps, bags, and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 7a method of carrying and caring for a child is depicted. Method7includes attaching a front-side child carrier to a backpack by straps, clips or a harness703, storing items needed for the care of the child in the backpack705, placing the backpack on the back with the front-side child carrier in front707, placing a child in the front-side child carrier709, carrying the child in the carrier711and using the items in the backpack to care for the child713.