Child carrier

There is provided an enclosed cart having a plurality of openings in the top thereof into each of which a contoured cushioned module for containment of a child is inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to rolling carts or the like and 
particularly to devices useful for quickly transporting several small 
children at one time as in an emergency evacuation. 
Prior devices for transporting small children consist of the traditional 
baby carriage and baby stroller. However, baby carriages are unstable and 
have limited capacity and therefore are not practical for use in emergency 
evacuation of toddlers. The traditional baby stroller has limited capacity 
and is therefore inefficient and impractical. 
Modern day care centers require efficient means for emergency evacuation of 
pre-school chidren. The system must effectively contain and confine the 
children comfortably, prevent injury during the exit, and minimize trauma 
and hysteria. A recently developed system described in German Pat. No. 
2,034,099 uses a cart having seating for children removably hung around 
its periphery. This arrangement is capable of transporting several 
children, but the seat hanging arrangement is not secure and the children 
are exposed during the emergency. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide 
means for emergency evacuation of small chidren which efficiently 
transports a group of children in a protected manner. 
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an 
enclosed cart having a plurality of openings in the top thereof into each 
of which a countoured cushioned module for containment of a child is 
inserted. With this arrangement, a child will be substantially enclosed 
and protected, and trauma to the child will be minimized. 
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon 
reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the 
drawings.

While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred 
embodiment, it will be understood that I do not intend to limit the 
invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, I intend to cover all 
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the 
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Turning first to FIG. 3, there is shown generally the child carrier of the 
present invention having an outer casing 10 supported on wheels 12. The 
top of the cart is closed by a panel 14 having elongated openings 16 
defined therein. To assist in handling the cart, there are provided 
openings 18 in the casing and openings 20 in the top which together form a 
handle. 
A module as shown in FIG. 1 contains a contoured seat 30 within a tubular 
construction 32 of generally elliptical cross section. This module has 
formed at its uppermost extremity a lip 34 to catch and rest upon the cart 
top when inserted within the openings 16. In the preferred embodiment, the 
module would be padded throughout for the safety and comfort of the child. 
Being modular, different sizes of module and contoured seating may be used 
depending upon the size of the children to be transported. The module is 
preferably long enough to seat a child with his head below the lip to 
minimize the exposure and trauma to the child. 
In operation, this emergency evacuation cart would be kept in close 
proximity to the children and the emergency exits. The operator would lift 
and place each child into a module positioned within the cart. The cart 
would be grasped by the operator at the formed handles and rolled to the 
exit. The enlarged wheels 12 are provided to minimize resistance when 
traversing irregularities. 
It can readily be appreciated that this system provides an emergency 
evacuation device which is efficient while providing security and 
protection to the children. In a further aspect of this invention, a 
protective lid (not shown) may be removable affixed to the top of the 
chart. This would provide even further protection in the event of falling 
debris.