COLLAPSIBLE AND CONVERTIBLE BABY BED AND CARRIER

Abstract: A collapsible, lightweight, sturdy bassinet-style combination and convertible baby bed and carrier which is also flexible, comfortable, durable, and modular. A fabric basket (10) with a flexible support structure having rounded edges combine to create a soft sided yet semi-rigid and sturdy carrier.

Description: COLLAPSIBLE AND CONVERTIBLE BABY BED AND CARRIER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to infant care, and more particularly to a light weight, collapsible and convert¬ ible combination bassinet style baby bed and baby car¬ rier system. The invention has particular utility for multi-purpose functions. Although it is a stand-alone product as bassinet bed and baby carrier, it is also modular and may be attached to such accessories as a rocker stand, stroller wheels, and an infant automobile seat/bed. The stand-alone product is also convertible into a backpack style baby carrier with an included har- ness system for proper support. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In America alone, there were approximately 4 mil¬ lion babies born in 1994. Many of today's parents are particularly concerned about every aspect of their baby's well being, from safety and nutrition to physical fitness, and many such parents are looking for the next generation of products that are safe, convenient, prac¬ tical and beautifully designed, and which give parents the peace of mind they are demanding. With a concern for economics as well, a baby bed/carrier system which is convertible and multi-functional would meet these needs in a way not yet satisfied by existing products. The baby bed and carrier system of this invention includes, at its core, a fully supported (semi-rigid) collapsible, lightweight combination baby bassinet style bed and hand-held baby carrier which is also convertible into a backpack style carrier. The system of this inven¬ tion makes use of additional modular attachments, in- eluding a rocker support unit to create a rocking baby bed, a wheel support unit to create a stroller, and a car seat unit to create a baby car seat. The overall baby bed and carrier system of this in¬ vention is flexible and convertible, comfortable, durable, and modular. It achieves these benefits by us¬ ing an integrated structure and a combination of fea¬ tures not previously appreciated by other workers in the field, and not shown in any prior product of which the inventors are aware. Prior efforts in this field are il- lustrated by the following prior patents. U.S. Patent No. 385,633 of Kelly et al. shows a rigid baby basket or cradle having a set of rockers on the bottom. The rockers are collapsible against the bot¬ tom of the baby basket. U.S. Patent No. 3,096,917 of Gudiksen discloses a collapsible baby basket having an upper frame including a rigid rectangle formed by metal tubing, a lower frame including a rigid rectangular board, and downwardly folding side walls. U.S. Patent No. 4,698,862 of Mairs shows a combina¬ tion bassinet, baby carrier and diaper bag. The Mairs bag includes a collapsible shell which can be partially closed for use as a tote bag and which can be expanded to a fully open position, including the use of a pair of removable rods to impart a degree of rigidity to the open position, for use as a baby basket. A sheet doubles as both a liner for the baby basket when the structure is used for that purpose, and as a body pack to strap a baby to the torso of an adult wearer when used as a baby carrier. U.S. Patent No. 4,717,056 of Carmichael describes a soft-sided infant carrier including a cloth shell having a bottom which curves downwardly and a foam rubber piece of a semi-oval shape which, together with a plastic in- sert in the front portion of the shell, helps to support the inside of the shell along the bottom and sides of the shell and helps to hold the cloth shell away from the baby's face. Other collapsible or folding baby baskets, cribs, cradles or beds are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 823,321 of Dejonge; 1,412,177 of Glaum; 2,622,250 of Coles (a col¬ lapsible baby crib with a wire frame stand, a removable rigid bottom piece, a pair of rigid rods with one each disposed along each of the two long top sides, and two rigid end pieces at either end to receive the rods) ; 3,090,634 of Hesketh et al. (a baby carriage convertible to a cradle having collapsible wire rockers under the wheels of the carriage/cradle) ; 5,096,260 of Hagerstrom; and 5,170,520 of Milliken. Despite all the prior efforts, no one has yet de- veloped a baby bed and carrier system which includes a fully supported (semi-rigid) collapsible, lightweight combination baby bassinet style bed and hand-held baby carrier which is also convertible into a backpack style carrier. Nor has such a combination bed and carrier been incorporated into a modular system including a rocker support unit and a wheel support unit so that the same bed and carrier may also become an integrated part of the baby's rocker and stroller. It would be highly de¬ sirable to create such a product. Moreover, it would be desirable if such a combination bassinet style baby bed and carrier were also: • liσhtweiσht and easily portable so that the bed function does not sacrifice the baby carrier function (that is, the desirable product should be under 3 pounds in weight, properly balanced for carrying, and supported so that the child's mother can carry it by the handle, free swinging at her side or over her shoulder with the baby inside) ; • comfortable and inviting to the infant as a semi- rigid bed so that the baby carrier function does not sacrifice the baby bed function (that is, the bed should be framed and supported with sufficient rigidity that the baby would be happy and content inside it for ex¬ tended periods of time, including not only at home, but on airplanes, in restaurants, in offices, in hotels, in churches and other public places, and in the homes of friends and relatives; in short, the desirable product should be a "real" rigidly supported bed in which an in¬ fant can comfortably rest for extended periods of time) ; • durable and long lasting so that the light weight carrier function does not sacrifice the heavy duty mate¬ rials that would make the product last (that is, the product should not be of flimsy construction, but should be one which a baby could use almost constantly for at least the first 12 months of life and on occasion during the next several years; in short, the desirable product should be of solid construction built to last under con¬ stant use for at least the infant's first year, and should still serve as a bed or napping place for the growing toddler and young child up to 60 pounds) ; • convertible from one mode of use to another so that the benefits of the product are not sacrificed to cost and a single system can accomplish multi-purpose use for the family (that is, the desirable product should be not only a combination bassinet bed and baby carrier, but it should be flexible and convertible so that with an included harness system which properly sup¬ ports the infant, the hand-held carrier converts to a backpack style carrier) ; and • modular and multifunctional further to reduce the overall cost and duplication of using separate products for similar functions (that is, the desirable product should be part of a system that can be used with avail¬ able accessories as the focal point of the parent's needs for several products, thereby helping to eliminate duplicative purchases of several products; the desirable system be multifunctional and should have "clip on" com- patibility to a range of accessories, including rockers, wheels, stands, car seats and others so that a single core product and system can be the foundation upon which, by modular attachments, such multi-purpose uses as strollers, rockers, cribs, and car seats can be added on at a savings relative to buying a completely separate product for each use, and without wasteful duplication of production resources) . The lightweight, collapsible and convertible combi- nation baby bed and carrier system of this invention uses fiberglass rods to impart rigidity, yet collapses to 30 inches by 12 inches by 3 inches and weighs approx¬ imately 2.5 pounds. It uses adjustable-length, ergonomi- cally engineered handles for balance in the hand-held carrier mode and for ease of carrying in a free swinging manner at an adult's side, or over the shoulder. The bed and carrier system is semi-rigid, and the fiberglass frame and fabric structure allows it to carry up to 60 pounds. The system converts from a hand-held (or over the shoulder) style to a baby backpack style carrier, using a harness system for proper support. The bed and carrier system of this invention is modular, and has clip-on compatibility with a number of other acces¬ sories so that it can function as rocker, stroller, or car seat. The bed and carrier, although semi-rigid, is soft sided to create a comfortable womb-like environment for an infant and, in a preferred embodiment, includes such comfort features as a sheepskin lining and re¬ versible fitted colored and patterned sheets. It is, thus, the intent of this invention to solve the problems not yet addressed by the prior art in a combination baby bed and carrier which is at the same time lightweight, comfortable, durable, convertible, modular and multifunctional. These and other advantages of the convertible combination baby bassinet bed and carrier system of this invention will be described in more detail in the description which follows. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The lightweight, collapsible and convertible combi¬ nation baby bed and carrier system of this invention in¬ cludes a soft and flexible basket having an elliptical or oval-shaped bottom from which a side wall extends up¬ wardly. The soft basket is, preferably, constructed of fabrics such as 100% natural cotton canvas (for warm weather use) or 1000 dernier nylon CORDURA (for cold weather use) or 600 dernier polyester, The perimeter of the ellipse at the bottom of the basket includes a bottom perimeter channel or pocket into which at least one flexible and bendible bottom perimeter rod is inserted to maintain the elliptical shape of the basket's bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the channel is a hollow plastic welt into which is in¬ serted one or more continuous 1/16 inch diameter fiber- glass bottom perimeter rod(s) . The bottom perimeter rods provide a structured, semi-rigid yet soft bottom perime¬ ter shape to the basket. Taking, for purposes of description, a first line drawn between the foci of the elliptical bottom, and a second line drawn normal to the first line, the bottom of the basket can be understood also to include a number of cross-member channels or pockets which run parallel to the second line, spaced apart from one another. A number of cross-member rods are removably inserted into the cross-member channels to provide structural support, shape and stiffness to the bottom of the basket. In a preferred embodiment, three fiberglass rods are used as the cross-member rods. The cross-member rods provide a semi-rigid structure to the bottom of the basket. The required tensile strength is provided economically and with light weight and relatively small dimension. The basket has not only an elliptical bottom, but also, as the basket's wall extends upwardly therefrom, an elliptical top. The perimeter of the ellipse at the top of the basket includes a top perimeter channel or pocket into which at least one flexible and bendible top perimeter rod is inserted to maintain the elliptical shape of the basket's top. In a preferred embodiment, the top perimeter channel is contained in a contrast cording which encloses a hollow plastic welt into which are inserted two 1/16 inch fiberglass top perimeter rods centered on the head and foot center seams and stopping approximately two inches beyond the radius point whereat a pair of 1/8 inch fiberglass rods are inserted (one at each side) on both of the long sides of the basket be- hind a VELCRO hook and loop fastener. The top perimeter rods provide a structured, semi-rigid shape to the bas¬ ket. The 1/8 inch rods keep the sides from bowing out. A number of generally vertical sidewall upright spacer channels or pockets are carried by the sidewall, running between the top and the bottom of the sidewall. A number of sidewall upright spacer rods are removably inserted into the sidewall channels from the bottom of the basket to provide shape and stiffness to the sides of the basket, and to space the top away from the bottom of the basket. They provide a semi-rigid yet still soft sidewall structure to the basket. In a preferred embodiment, four vertical upright spacer channels are provided in two pairs of two each. The first pair of upright channels is located with one upright channel each at the head and foot of the basket (that is, considering the elliptical perimeter of the bottom of the basket, the two points where a first line drawn through the foci intersects the perimeter of the bottom) , and the second pair of upright channels is lo- cated with one upright channel each at the left and right of the basket (that is, considering the perimeter of the bottom of the basket, the two points where a sec¬ ond line drawn normal to the first line through the mid¬ point of the first line intersects the perimeter) . In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall channels are vertical and normal to the plane of the bottom, and the sidewall upright spacer rods are fiberglass. Attached at or about the top perimeter of the side wall of the basket is a quilted top cover. In a pre¬ ferred embodiment, one or two access zippers run paral- lei to the side wall and approximately the length of the top cover for access to the inside of the basket. The access zippers open the top cover so that the baby can be put into the basket, and then the access zippers close the top cover so that the baby can be kept warmly and securely in the basket. A removable, reversible quilted mattress pad and sheet combination, including a zippered flannel cover over a foam pad, may be placed on the bottom of the bas¬ ket. In a preferred embodiment, a 3/4 inch convoluted fire retardant foam mattress is covered by rip stop ny¬ lon and zippered into a custom fit sheet which enables the mattress to be flipped from flannel to sheeting. The interior of the sidewalls of the basket is cotton with interesting visual designs imprinted thereon. The inte- rior of the top cover is similarly cotton lined and quilted for warmth, comfort, protection from the ele¬ ments and insulation from sounds and temperature ex¬ tremes. All zippers and channels are covered with fabric flaps or are sewn into the body of the material. Option- ally, a precut sheepskin or other comfortable lining can be inserted into the basket, and a quilted semi-rigid flexible rod reinforced bonnet/hood can be installed above the head of the basket for additional sound insu¬ lation and warmth. Interior pockets hold keys, bottles and diapers; loops are provided for toy clip-ons; VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners may secure such things as mirrors or toys within the basket. A pair of carrying straps, one strap on the left and one strap on the right side of the basket, run from the bottom of the basket. The straps are adjustable- length, and sized and positioned slightly asymmetrically to one another, advantageously to provide a balanced grip when the basket is carried free swinging at an adult's side or over the shoulder. Furthermore, a grip made of the same fabric as the carrier can be slid along one handle and closed with, for example, a VELCRO brand hook and loop fastener over the opposite handle to en¬ sure a balanced carry point. The carrying straps are ad¬ justable and can also be removed (undipped) or recon- figured to permit the combination baby bed and carrier to be strapped backpack or papoose-style to an adult's back; in addition, a removable adult harness which mates to the combination baby bed and carrier can also be used for this purpose. A removable infant harness provides proper support to the infant for carrying when the sys¬ tem is converted to backpack carrier mode. A modular, removable rocker stand may be added. In one style, the rocker stand is formed by the insertion of flexible bottom rocker rods into pockets on the bot- torn of the basket, with a number of support and spacing rods running between the rocker rods so that the bed rocks from head to foot. In another style, the rocker stand is formed by bowing a number of rocker rods across the bottom so that the bed rocks from side to side: in this style, curved metal radiused ends with swivel hooks are attached to the ends of the rocker rods with a screw, enabling the basket to be clipped in. The radius rocker rods are held rigid by two cross-members which are easily unscrewed for ease in portability. A modular, removable wheeled base may be added. In one version, a three-wheeled stroller base clips to the bassinet bed so that the system of this invention be¬ comes an integral part of a stroller. Additional acces¬ sory kits include, for example, stroller wheel sets which are interchangeable, using a quick release system, from a six inch (or smaller) diameter size to a twenty inch (or larger) alloy rim for jogging. It can now be better understood that the lightweight, collapsible and convertible combination baby bed and carrier of this invention uses fiberglass rods to impart rigidity, yet collapses to 30 inches by 12 inches by 3 inches (or smaller) and weighs 2.5 pounds or less. It uses specially balanced handles for ease of carrying in a free swinging manner at an adult's side or over the shoulder. It is soft sided yet semi-rigid and creates a comfortable womb-like environment for an in¬ fant and, in a preferred embodiment, includes a sheep¬ skin lining. Its strong fiberglass cross-members, acetyl plastic hardware, seat belt web handles, and fabric con¬ struction allow it to carry up to 60 pounds. It converts to a baby backpack style carrier so that the baby may be strapped to the parent's back and carried that way as well. It is modular, and has clip-on compatibility with a number of other accessories so that it can function as the core of a rocker, stroller, crib or car seat/bed. These and other features of the invention will be ex¬ plained in connection with the drawings and the detailed description which now follow. DESCRIPTION OF THF. DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective vp.ew of the combination bed and carrier of this invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view, showing a first embodiment of the modular rocker stand. FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing a second em- bodiment of the modular rocker stand. FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the stroller unit. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective, partially cut away view of the combination bed and carrier of this inven- tion, showing details of the interior for attachment of the removable infant harness for supporting the infant when converted to backpack mode. FIG. 6 is a perspective, bottom view of the combi¬ nation bed and carrier of this invention, showing de- tails of the exterior for attachment of the removable adult harness for carrying the bed and carrier when con¬ verted to backpack mode. FIG. 7A is a back view of a mattress, showing a back seat support. FIG. 7B is an interior view of the combination bed and carrier of this invention, showing the back seat support of FIG. 7A held in position. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the removable adult harness for carrying the combination bed and carrier of this, invention when converted to the backpack mode. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the removable infant harness for supporting the in¬ fant when the combination bed and carrier of this inven¬ tion is converted to the backpack mode. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a second embodi¬ ment of the removable infant harness for supporting the infant when the combination bed and carrier of this in¬ vention is converted to the backpack mode. DETATT,F.Π DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, it may be seen in overview that the collapsible and convertible combina¬ tion baby bed and carrier system of this invention in¬ cludes a basket 10, a top cover 30, a mattress pad and sheet unit 40, a bonnet 50, a set of straps 60, and a rocker stand 70 (reference FIGS. 2 and 3) . As will be explained, not all of the foregoing features are essen¬ tial to the baby carrier of this invention, but in vari¬ ous combinations illustrate a preferred embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, it may be seen that basket 10 has an elliptical or oval-shaped bottom 12 from which a sidewall 14 (see FIG. 1) extends upwardly. The basket 10, including its bottom 12 and sidewall 14, is soft and, preferably, constructed of fabrics such as 100% natural cotton canvass (for warm weather use) or 1000 dernier nylon CORDURA (for cold weather use) or 600 dernier polyester. The perimeter of the ellipse at the bottom 12 of the basket includes a bottom perimeter channel or pocket 16 into which at least one flexible and bendible bottom perimeter rod 18 (not separately numbered or visible in the drawing, but understood to be contained within chan¬ nel 16) is inserted to maintain the elliptical shape of the basket's bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the channel 16 is a hollow plastic welt into which is in- serted one or more continuous 1/16 inch diameter fiber¬ glass bottom perimeter rod(s) 18. Taking, for purposes of description, a first line drawn between the foci of the elliptical bottom of the basket 10, and a second line drawn normal to the first line, the bottom 12 of the basket 10 can be understood also to include a number of cross-member channels or pockets 20 (see FIG. 6) which run parallel to the second line, spaced apart from one another. A number of cross- member rods 22 (not separately numbered or visible in the drawing, but understood to be contained within chan¬ nels 20) are removably inserted into the cross-member channels 20 to provide shape anc stiffness to the bottom of the basket. In a preferred embodiment, three 1/4 inch fiberglass rods 22A, 22B, and 22C (not shown) are used as the cross-member rods 22. The cross-member rods 22 provide a rigid, yet still soft planar structure to the bottom 12 of the basket 10. With reference again to FIG. 1, it may be under¬ stood that basket 10 has not only an elliptical bottom 12, but also, as the basket's sidewall 14 extends up¬ wardly therefrom, an elliptical top. The perimeter of the ellipse at the top of the basket includes a top perimeter hollow welt channel or pocket 26 into which at least one flexible and bendible top perimeter rod 28 (not separately numbered or visible in the drawing, but understood to be contained within channel 26) is in¬ serted to maintain the elliptical shape of the basket's top. In a preferred embodiment, the top perimeter chan¬ nel 26 is contained in a contrast cording which encloses a hollow plastic welt into which are inserted two 1/16 inch fiberglass top perimeter rods 28 centered on the head and foot center seams, it is possible to use a pair of 1/8 inch fiberglass rods 28A, 28B (not shown) as the top perimeter rods 28 at the sides of the perimeter, and another pair of 1/16 inch fiberglass rods 28C, 28D (not shown) as the top perimeter rods 28 at the ends of the perimeter. The top perimeter rods 28 provide a struc¬ tured, semi-rigid yet soft top perimeter shape to the basket 10. The 1/8 inch side rods 28A, 28B keep the sides from bowing out. A number of generally vertical sidewall upright spacer channels or pockets 32 are carried by the side- wall 14, running between the top and the bottom of the sidewall. A number of sidewall spacer rods 34 (not sepa- rately numbered or visible in the drawing, but under¬ stood to be contained within upright channels 32) are removably inserted into the sidewall uprights 32 from the bottom of the basket to provide shape and stiffness to the sidewall 14 of the basket, and to space the top channel 26 away from the bottom 12 of the basket 10. They provide a semi-rigid yet still soft sidewall struc¬ ture to the basket. In a preferred embodiment four vertical upright spacer channels 32 are provided in two pairs of two each. The first pair of upright channels 32A, 32B is lo¬ cated with one upright channel each at the head and foot of the basket (that is, considering the elliptical perimeter of the bottom of the basket, the two points where a first line drawn through the foci intersects the perimeter of the bottom) , and the second pair of upright channels 32C, 32D is located with one upright channel each at the left and right of the basket (that is, con¬ sidering the perimeter of the bottom of the basket, the two points where a second line drawn normal to the first line through the midpoint of the first line intersects the perimeter). In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall channels are vertical and normal to the plane of the bottom, and the four sidewall spacer rods 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D (not shown) are 3/8 inch flat by 3mm fiberglass bat- tens. In the foregoing description of the basket 10, it should be understood that the bottom perimeter channel 16, bottom cross-channels 20, top perimeter channel 26, and sidewall channels 32 may be formed in a number of ways. The channels might be formed by a loop of fabric, sewn into the basket 10, and they might be opened at an end thereof, or opened along the length thereof (as by a VELCRO hook and loop or other suitable fastener) for the insertion and removal of the associated rods. With reference still to FIG. 1, the top cover 30 is seen to be sized to fit the interior of the basket 10. The top cover 30 includes access zippers 34 roughly bi¬ secting the cover lengthwise(although zippers are shown as the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that any suitable attachment could be used, including VELCRO hook and loop fasteners, buttons and any similar mechanism) . It may be understood that the top cover 30 is at¬ tached to the inside of the sidewall 14 of basket 10 at or about the top perimeter of the sidewall of the bas¬ ket. The top cover 30 might be removably attached to the foot and the sides of the basket 10 by attachment zip¬ pers 32 (not separately shown or numbered in the draw¬ ings) . It can be understood that access zippers 34 open the top cover 30 so that the baby can be put in the bas¬ ket 10, and then the access zippers 34 close the top cover 30 so that the baby can be kept warmly and se¬ curely in the basket. The mattress pad and sheet unit 40 comprises a re- movable, reversible quilted mattress pad and sheet com¬ bination. A zippered (or otherwise openable) quilted flannel cover 42 is used to cover a foam pad 44 (not separately shown or numbered in the drawings) . In a pre¬ ferred embodiment, a 3/4 inch convoluted fire retardant foam mattress pad 44 is covered by fire retardant rip stop nylon and zippered into a custom fit sheet which enables the mattress to be flipped from flannel to sheeting, with reference to FIG. 1, it can be understood that the pad and sheet unit 40 is placed on the bottom 12 of the basket 10. The size of the basket is appropri¬ ately set so that a baby may lie upon the mattress and sheet unit 40, comfortably beneath the top cover 30. In order to better fashion a combination baby bed and carrier according to this invention, the inventors have found the following recommendations to be valuable. The interior of the sidewalls 14 of the basket 10 may be cotton or vinylized cotton, removable with perimeter VELCRO hook and loop fasteners (for durability and easy cleaning) with interesting visual designs imprinted thereon (for the visual enjoyment of the baby) . The in¬ terior of the top cover 30 may be cotton lined and quilted for warmth and comfort. Zippers and channels may be covered with fabric flaps, and/or secured by VELCRO hook and loop fasteners, and/or are sewn into the body of the material. Optionally, a precut sheepskin or other comfortable lining can be inserted into the basket, above the mattress and sheet unit 40 and below the top cover 30. As another advantage, the mattress pad unit 40 can be folded to create a seat for the infant. Referring to FIG. 7A, it may be seen that mattress pad 40 has a fold¬ ing line 120 so that the mattress pad can be folded up to create a seat back 140. Pockets or channels 122 in seat back 140 hold fiberglass rods 124 (not separately shown or numbered in the drawing, but understood to be contained within the channels 122) . In a preferred em¬ bodiment, three channels 122A, 122B, 122C are batten channels into which are inserted the corresponding fiberglass rods 124. VELCRO hook fastener tabs 128A and 128B are situated at the sides of the seat back 140. With reference now to FIG. 7B, it may be seen that VEL¬ CRO loop fastener tabs 130 held on the inside of the sidewalls 14 of the basket 10 can be moved around the head perimeter to adjust the seat angle and cooperate with the VELCRO tabs 128 of the seat back 140 to hold it into a baby seat position. Bonnet 50 (see FIG. 1) , may be removably attached to the basket 10 at the head thereof. The bonnet 50 in¬ cludes a bonnet channel or pocket 52 which carries bon¬ net rod 54 (not separately numbered or visible in the drawing, but understood to be contained within channel 52) . In a preferred embodiment, channel 52 is a hollow plastic welt into which is inserted a 1/16 inch flexible fiberglass rod 54. The bonnet 50 may be quilted for ad¬ ditional sound insulation and warmth, and includes hol- low plastic welt channels 56 and rods 58 (not separately shown in the drawing, but understood to be contained within channel 56) for providing additional structural support. A set of carrying straps 60, one strap 60A on the left and one strap 60B (not visible in the drawing) on the right side of the basket 10, are attached to rings 62 on the sidewall 14 of the basket. The straps 60 are sized and positioned slightly asymmetrically to one an¬ other, advantageously to provide a balanced grip when the basket is carried, free swinging, at an adult's side. A hand grip 64 (not shown) is secured to one of the straps 60 and slides for proper placement over the other strap. A first embodiment of the modular, removable rocker stand 70 may be seen with reference to FIG. 2. A col- lapsible rocker stand is provided by the insertion of flexible bottom rocker rods 72A, 72B into paired pockets 74A and 74B on the bottom 12 of the basket 10, with at least one support and spacing rod 76 running between the rocker rods 72. In a preferred embodiment, the rocker rods 72 are one inch fiberglass battens and the pockets 74 are leather sheaths sized to receive the rocker rods 72, bending the rods 72 to provide the rocker shape. Support and spacer rod 76 is 3/16 inch fiberglass car¬ ried in channel or pocket 77 of a fabric flap 78 extend- ing from edge to edge of the bottom 12 of the basket. A pair of hooks 80A, 80B, or like elements serve to secure the support and spacer rod 76 to each of rocker rods 72A, 72B. Using the rocker stand of this first embodi¬ ment, the bed will rock from head to foot. A second embodiment of the modular, removable rocker stand 70 may be seen with reference to FIG. 3. A collapsible rocker stand is provided by bowing a number of rocker rods 82 across the bottom so that the bed rocks from side to side. As shown, two rods 82A and 82B are bent, curved metal radiused ends with swivel hooks (see 84A, 84B) are attached to the ends of the rocker preferably, a three-point stroller with three wheels 92. The stand 90 is modular so that the combination baby bed and carrier of this invention can be removably attached to it, using rings 94 or equivalent attachments at the sidewall 14 of the basket 10. It may be seen, therefore, that a three-wheeled stroller base 90 clips to the bassinet bed 10 so that the combination baby bed and carrier of this invention becomes an integral part of a stroller. The stroller base 90 is adopted to use wheel sets which are interchangeable, using a quick release system, from a six inch (or smaller) diameter size to a twenty inch (or larger) alloy rim for jogging. Another modular accessory is a car bed unit to which the combination bed and baby carrier of this in¬ vention may be attached. Although not separately shown, it is readily understood that such a unit could be at¬ tachable to a seat of a vehicle using the preexisting seat belts, and that the bed and carrier would removably fasten to the car bed unit. The combination baby bed and carrier of this inven¬ tion is convertible to a backpack or papoose-style car¬ rier as well. The conversion includes the use of a re¬ movable adult harness 100 (FIG. 8) to carry the bed on an adult's back, and the use of a removable infant har¬ ness 110 (FIG. 9) properly to support an infant when be¬ ing carried backpack style. The adult harness 100 of FIG. 8 includes a belt 102 and shoulder straps 104, 106. With reference to FIG. 6 which is an exterior view of the bottom 12 of basket 12, a first pair of D-rings 118A and 118B can be understood to accommodate the belt 102 of adult harness 100 (FIG. 8). Likewise with reference to FIG. 6, a second pair of D-rings 118C and 118D can be understood to accommodate the shoulder straps 104 and 106 of adult harness 100 (FIG. 8) . Thus, the adult harness 100 will strap the combination baby bed and carrier of this invention to an adult's back for carrying it backpack style. The infant harness 110 of FIG. 9A includes a top support, with top support straps 112A and 112B; a bottom support with bottom support straps 114A and 114B; and a middle support with middle support straps 116A and 116B. With reference to FIG. 5 which is an interior view of the bottom 12 of basket 10, a first pair of D-rings 150A and 150B can be understood to accommodate the top straps 112A and 112B of infant support harness 110 (FIG. 9A) . Likewise with reference to FIG. 5, a second pair of D- rings 150C and 150D can be understood to accommodate the middle straps 116A and 116B of infant support harness 110 (FIG. 9A) . Finally, with reference to FIG. 5, a third pair of D-rings 150E and 150F can be understood to accommodate the bottom straps 114A and 114B of infant support harness 110 (FIG. 9A) . The infant support har¬ ness can be reconfigured so as properly to hold the in¬ fant in place. For example, both of the middle straps 116 and the bottom straps 114 can be run through the second pair of D-rings (150C and 150D) to form a secure seat. Alternatively, a two-piece infant harness can be seen with reference to FIG. 9B. It can be readily under¬ stood that the upper body support piece and lower body support piece can be strapped into the D-rings 150 of gineered to give the carrier of this invention its highly flexible structure. These features are useful in portability and collapsibility. Other carriers which are angular or rigid tend to bump or bang into the legs and thighs of the person carrying them. In addition, other carriers offer only minimal collapsibility because of the use of hard materials for the bottoms and sides; in contrast, the carrier of this invention can be folded and tucked away by removing some or all of the fiber- glass rods. The combination baby bed and carrier system of this invention is durable and configurable due to the use of cordura, heavy polyester or canvas fabrics, together with adjustable shoulder straps. The inventors highly recommend the use of durable, waterproof fabrics to cre¬ ate a more functional, easier to clean, and more long- lasting product (compared to the typical light cotton, light polyester or rattan used in the common, completely soft sided lightweight carriers seen today) . Moreover, the selection of such structural components as are used in the carrier of the present invention dramatically in¬ creases the functionality of the product by, in combina¬ tion with the structural quality of the handle webbing coupled with the use of acetyl plastic hardware, permit- ting the safe carriage of a child up to 60 pounds com¬ pared to many existing lightweight products which can carry only up to about 20 pounds. The carrier of this invention can, therefore, expect to provide a much longer useful life and greater service. Finally, and again as a recommendation for a better mode within which to practice the carrier of this inven¬ tion, the inventors strongly urge the use of designer fabrics on the interior wall of the basket. The use of well-chosen designs, including whimsical, stimulating brilliant colors, shapes and characters provide a more stimulating and pleasant environment for the baby. It has now been explained that the lightweight, collapsible combination baby carrier of this invention uses fiberglass rods to impart rigidity, yet collapses to 30 inches by 12 inches by 3 inches (or smaller) and weighs 2.5 pounds or less, not including accessories. The combination baby bed and carrier system of this invention uses specially balanced handles for ease of carrying in a free swinging manner at an adult's side, or at the shoulders. It is soft sided yet semi-rigid and creates a comfortable womb-like environment for an in¬ fant and, in a preferred embodiment, includes a sheep¬ skin lining. Its fiberglass frame and fabric construc¬ tion allows it to carry up to 60 pounds. It converts to a baby-backpack so that the baby may be strapped to the mother's back or chest and carried that way as well. It is modular, and has clip-on compatibility with a number of other accessories so that it can function as rocker, stroller, crib or car seat. It should be understood that the various sizes and materials recited herein are representative only and that the invention clearly embraces such substitutions as hard plastic or other material having light weight and flexibility features for the fiberglass rods dis¬ cussed herein; that the diameters of the rods can be varied as desired; and that other such substitutions or adjustments are likewise contemplated and well known to those in this field.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A combination baby bed and carrier, comprising: (a) a basket, having an elliptical closed bot- torn, an elliptical open top, and a sidewall; (b) a cover, attachable to the sidewall about the open top; and (c) a pair of removable straps, attached to the bottom and extending upward above the top; wherein the basket is semi-rigid, being formed of a fabric supported by a first set of semi-rigid support rods carried therein. 2. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a collapsible rocker unit carried on the bottom of the basket, wherein the rocker unit is formed by a pair of semi-rigid removable rocker rods supported by a semi¬ rigid rocker support rod, the rocker support rod being selectively engagable with the rocker rods, and being removable when the rocker rods are removed. 3. The carrier of claim 2, further comprising a re¬ movable semi-rigid bonnet. 4. The carrier of claim 3, further comprising a re¬ movable soft mattress pad. 5. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the first set of semi-rigid rods includes: (a) at least one upper perimeter support rod shaping and supporting a perimeter of the ellipti¬ cal top; (b) at least one bottom perimeter support rod shaping and supporting a perimeter of the ellipti- cal bottom; (c) at least one cross-member rod supporting the closed bottom; and (d) a number of sidewall upright support rods spacing the top apart from the bottom, wherein each of said rods is a semi-rigid, flexible rod. 6. The carrier of claim 5 wherein the first set of semi-rigid rods includes: (a) four upper perimeter support rods carried in channels of the perimeter of the elliptical top; (b) two bottom perimeter support rods carried in channels of the perimeter of the elliptical bot¬ tom; (c) three cross-member rod carried in channels of the closed bottom; and (d) four upright sidewall support rods carried in four channels of the sidewall, the sidewall hav¬ ing a head and a foot and a left and right, a first of said four channels being located at the head, a second of said four channels being located at the foot, a third of said four channels being located at the left, and a fourth of said four channels be¬ ing located at the right. 7. The carrier of claim 6 wherein at least one of the first set of rods is a fiberglass rod. 8. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier is convertible to a backpack style carrier, and further comprising: (a) an adult carrying names- removably at¬ tachable to the bottom of the basket; and (b) an infant supporting harness removably at- tachable to the bottom of the basket. 9. The carrier of claim 8, further including adult harness attachment means for removably attaching the adult carrying harness to the basket, and including in¬ fant harness attachment means for removably attaching the infant supporting harness to the basket. 10. The carrier of claim 8, wherein the adult har¬ ness attachment means and the infant harness attachment means each include a set of D-rings. 11. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a modular stroller stand removably attachable to the bas ¬ ket. 12. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the stroller stand has interchangeable wheel sets. 13. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a car bed unit attachable to the basket, the car bed unit being attachable to a seat of a vehicle using a pre-ex ¬ isting seat belt in the vehicle. 14. The carrier of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of straps are asymmetrically placed relative to one another for balancing the carrier when held by a person by hand at the person's side. 15. A combination baby bed and carrier, comprising: (a) a basket, having an elliptical closed bottom, an elliptical open top, and a sidewall; (b) a cover, attachable to the sidewall about the open top; and (c) a pair of removable straps, attached to the basket and extending upward above the top; wherein the basket is semi-rigid, being formed of a fabric supported by a first set of semi-rigid support rods carried therein, the carrier being convertible to a backpack style carrier, and further comprising: (i) an adult carrying harness removably attachable to the basket; and (ii) an infant supporting harness removably attachable to the basket. 16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein said pair of removable straps is attached to the basket at the sidewall of the basket.

Inventors: JOHNSON CINDA, SIMANTOB CONSTANCE, JOHNSON, CINDA, SIMANTOB, CONSTANCE
Applicants: BIRDLAND INTERNATIONAL INC, BIRDLAND INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A47D13
IPC codes: A47D9, A47D13