Baby carrier

Abstract: A baby carrier includes a carrier body (2) having a front cover portion (3), a crotch cover portion (4) and a back cover portion (5) which are integrally formed in continuation. A pair of shoulder belts (6,7) are provided at the opposite ends of the back cover portion (5) and they have first buckles (12,13) at their tips via first belt member (10,11). Second buckles (20,21) detachably engaging with the first buckles (12,13) are provided at the opposite ends of the front cover portion via second belt member. Hook members (31,32) are provided at the opposite ends of the front portion. At least a pair of ring members (28,28',29,29') detachably engaging with the hook members (31,32) are provided at the back cover portion (5). A headrest (8) for supporting the rear portion of the baby's head is provided at the back cover portion. A head support (9) is provided at the headrest (8) and it comprises of a head support body of which the bottom portion is attached to the headrest, and band-like portions (9b) laterally extending on both sides of the head support body (9) and the tip parts thereof are attached to the back cover portion or shoulder belts. The head support body stands up from the headrest and protects the top portion of the baby's head during side-supporting of the baby. The head support body is positioned integrally with the headrest (8) and supports the rear portion of the baby's head during up/down-supporting of the baby.

Description: The present invention relates to a baby carrier for carrying a baby while holding the baby therein. This applicant has proposed a baby carrier, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-150051. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, this baby carrier has a carrier body 72 in which a front portion 73, a crotch portion 74 and a back portion 75 are integrally formed. Downwardly extending shoulder belts 76, 76' are provided at the front portion 73. Buckles 77, 77' are attached to the tips of the shoulder belts 76, 76'. On the top portion of the shoulder belts 76, 76' there are provided D-shaped ring members 80, 80' and belt members 91, 91'. Cover-equipped buckles 90, 90' are attached to the tips of the belt members 91, 91'. Buckles 78, 78', which can be engaged with the buckles 77, 77', are provided to the sides of the front portion 74 via belt members 79, 79'. Hook members 81, 81', which can be engaged with the ring members 80, 80', are provided on the top of the back portion 75. In the back portion 75, buckles 92, 92',which can be engaged with the buckles 90, 90', are located via belt members 79, 79'. In order to assemble the baby carrier 70, first, the shoulder belts 76, 76' are placed on both shoulders of the baby nursing person and the buckles 77, 77' at the bottom ends of the shoulder belts 76, 76' are engaged with the buckles 78, 78' on the sides of the belt members 79, 79'. Next, the person holds the baby and lifts up the back portion 75 of the baby carrier 70 with one arm, and the baby is cradled into the back portion 75. Then, as shown in Figure 18, the hook members 81, 81' are engaged with the ring members 80, 80'. The buckles 90, 90' are engaged with the buckles 92, 92'. Thereby, the baby carrier 70 is assembled and the baby is supported in the baby carrier 70. As mentioned above, in the assembly of the conventional baby carrier, the nursing person must engage the hook members and ring members as well as the cover-equipped buckles and buckles, and the assembly work is tedious. In addition, since the assembly of a baby carrier must be performed with a baby supported therein the work load of the baby nursing person is rather heavy. On the other hand, "a side-supporting-type of baby carrier" are generally used. In this baby carrier a baby of an early age is supported in a lying position. A typical side-supporting baby carrier is classified into a net type, shown in Figures 19, 20, and an integral carrier type, shown in Figures 21, 22. As show in Figure 19, the net type baby carrier is comprised of an expandable net portion 101 for supporting the body of a baby, a head rest portion 102 for supporting the head of the baby, shoulder belts 103 for a nursing person, and a support belt 104 for sustaining the head rest portion 102 from its back. To utilize this baby carrier, first, the net portion 101 is placed on the front side of the nursing person and the belt 103 is placed at an angle onto the shoulder of the person. Next, as shown in Figure 20, the baby is placed inside the net portion 101 and the net portion 101 is spread out to wrap the entire body of the baby. In this case, the entire body of the baby is covered with the net portion 101 such that the baby can be firmly supported in the baby carrier 100, but the baby is supported with its back bent because the net portion 101 is composed of expandable members. Therefore, it is not preferable for the baby's healthy skeletal growth. As shown in Figure 21, the integral carrier type baby carrier is comprised of a carrier body 151 where a headrest portion 152 and a back portion 153 are integrally formed, and shoulder belts 154, 155, which will be placed on a baby nursing person's shoulders. To utilize this baby carrier 150, the buckles of the shoulder belts 154, 155 are first connected and then the shoulder belts 154, 155 are placed at an angle onto the nursing person's shoulder. Next, as shown in Figure 29, the baby is placed on the carrier body 151. In this case, since the back of the baby is supported by the flat carrier body 151, the baby can be supported in the carrier 150 with its back stretched. But, the baby is simply placed in the carrier body 151. The baby may fall off and down from the carrier body 151 when the nursing person bends down. In addition, the headrest portion 152, integrally formed with the back portion 153, is only an extension of the back portion 103 and the head of the baby is simply placed on the headrest portion 152. Therefore, the head of the baby of an early age cannot be supported in a stable manner. Furthermore, the baby carrier shown in Figures 23 to 26 is conventionally used as a side-supporting and an up/down-supporting baby carrier. These figures show the same baby carrier and it can be used either as a side-supporting baby carrier, in Figures 23, 25, or an up/down-supporting baby carrier, in Figures 24, 26, by switching the belt connection placement. This baby carrier 200 has a carrier body 201 where a headrest portion 202 and a back portion 203 for supporting the baby's head and back, respectively, are integrally formed. Belts A-G are attached to the carrier body 201. When the baby carrier 200 is used for side supporting of the baby, as shown in Figure 23, the tip of the belt C is engaged with the belt A via a fastener and the buckle at the tip of the belt G is connected to the buckle at the tip of the belt F. Next, the buckle at the tip of the belt A is connected to the buckle at the tip of the belt D to compose the shoulder belt 204. In this condition, the baby is placed on the carrier body 201 and the shoulder belt 204 is placed in an angle onto one shoulder of the nursing person (see Figure 25). Next, the belt E is wound around the hip of the nursing person and the buckle at the tip of the belt E is connected to the buckle at the tip of the belt B to compose the waist belt 205 for holding the carrier body 201 on the hip of the nursing person. On the other hand, when the baby carrier 200 is used for up/down supporting of the baby, as shown in Figure 31, the tip of the belt G is engaged with the belt A via a fastener and the buckle at the tip of the belt A is connected to the buckle at the tip of the belt D to compose the shoulder belt 204'. Next, with the baby placed on the carrier body 201, the buckles of the belts B and C are connected together for holding the baby on the carrier body 201. In this condition, the shoulder belt 204' is placed at an angle onto one shoulder of the nursing person (see Figure 26). Then, the belt E is wound around the nursing person' hip and the buckle at the tip of the belt E is connected to the buckle at the tip of the belt F to compose the waist belt 205' for holding the carrier body 201 on the hip of the nursing person. As mentioned above, the conventional baby carrier is used either for side supporting or up/down supporting by changing the fastening conditions of the multiple belts, but the belt switching operation between side supporting and up/down supporting is very complex. Furthermore, when the baby is supported sideways, as shown in Figure 25, the baby is simply placed on the carrier body 201. Therefore, the baby may fall down when the nursing person bends down. EP-A-0704183, which is a published application by the applicant of the present application, discloses a baby carrier for supporting and carrying a baby, said baby carrier comprising: a carrier body comprising a front cover portion, a crotch cover portion and a back cover portion; a pair of shoulder belts; and a head support comprising a head support body and two band-like portions extending laterally from the head support body in opposite directions, said band-like portions having respective fasteners at their free ends. The invention provides a baby carrier for supporting and carrying a baby, said baby carrier comprising: a carrier body comprising a front cover portion, a crotch cover portion and a back cover portion; a pair of shoulder belts; and a head support comprising a head support body and two band-like portions extending laterally from the head support body in opposite directions, said band-like portions having respective fasteners at their free ends; characterised in that: said shoulder belts comprise respective belt members connected to and extending from said back cover portion; the baby carrier further comprises a headrest connecting said head support with said back cover portion and extending from said back cover portion, said headrest being arranged for supporting the back of the head of a baby carried in the baby carrier; at least a portion of said head support body overlaps a portion of said headrest and is attached to said headrest only along an end portion of the head support body so that the head support body is pivotable relative to the headrest about said end portion; and said fasteners at the free ends of the band-like portions are fastenable to said back cover portion or said shoulder belts. Preferably, said head support body is pivotable relative to said headrest in such a manner that in use, when the carrier is in a condition in which the baby is supported in a generally horizontal orientation, said head support body is inclined with respect to said headrest and is thereby positioned to protect the top of the head of a baby carried in the baby carrier in said horizontal orientation, and when the carrier is in a condition in which the baby is supported in a generally vertical orientation, said head support body extends substantially parallel and flush with said headrest and is thereby positioned to support the back of the head of a baby. Preferably, said end portion of said head support body is secured to said headrest such that the head support body is pivotable about an axis extending parallel to and disposed between upper and lower edges of said headrest. Preferably, said headrest includes an internally disposed headrest core, said head support body includes an internally disposed head support core and at least a portion of said head support core overlaps a portion of said headrest core. Preferably, the baby carrier further comprises a belt member having two opposite ends, one of which is connected to said head support body and the other of which is connected to said headrest, and wherein a middle portion of said belt member between said two opposite ends is not connected directly to said head support body or said headrest. In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front surface view of a baby carrier, in a developed state; Figure 2 is a back surface view of the baby carrier in a developed state; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the assembled baby carrier; Figure 4 is a side view of the assembled baby carrier; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the baby carrier in use; Figure 6 is a side view of the baby carrier in use; Figure 7 is a front surface view of a baby carrier, in a developed state, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a back surface view of the baby carrier of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a top plan view of the assembled baby carrier of Figures 7 and 8; Figure 10 is a side view of the assembled baby carrier of Figures 7 and 8; Figure 11 is a schematic illustrating the baby carrier of Figure 7 and 8 used as a side holding type; Figure 12 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the head support body and headrest when the baby carrier of Figures 7 and 8 is in use; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the baby carrier of Figures 7 and 8 in use for supporting a baby in a generally vertical orientation; Figure 14 is a side view of the baby carrier in Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a side view showing the position of the head support body and headrest in Figures 13 and 14; Figure 16 is a front view of the developed baby carrier of the prior art; Figure 17 is a rear view of the developed baby carrier of the prior art; Figure 18 is a front elevational view of an assembled baby carrier of the prior art; Figure 19 is a front elevational view of a net type baby carrier; Figure 20 is a schematic illustrating a net type baby carrier in use; Figure 21 is a front view of an integral carrier type baby carrier of the prior art; Figure 22 is a schematic illustrating an integral carrier type baby carrier of the prior art in use; Figure 23 is a front view of a side holding type baby carrier of the prior art in use, in a developed state; Figure 24 is a front view of an up/down holding type baby carrier of the prior art in use, in a developed state; Figure 25 is a schematic illustrating a side holding type baby carrier of the prior art in use; and Figure 26 is an up/down holding type baby carrier of the prior art in use. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a baby carrier 1 includes a carrier body 2 having a front cover portion 3, a narrow crotch cover portion 4, and a back cover portion 5 for respectively supporting abdominal, crotch and back portions of a baby, the cover portions being integrally formed in continuation. The bottom ends of two upward extending shoulder belts 6, 7 are connected to the upper opposite ends of the back portion 5. Upward extending belt members 10, 11 are sewn onto the shoulder belts 6, 7. The belt members 10, 11 run over the upper ends of the shoulder belts 6, 7 and extend upward further and have one-touch buckles 12, 13 attached to their tips. The belt members 10, 11 extend downward along the opposite sides of the back portion 5 and intersect with one other at the central part of the crotch portion 4 and extend downward further below the front portion 3. The belt members 10, 11 are sewn onto the carrier body 2. Cover-equipped buckles 20, 21 are attached to the bottom ends of the belt members 10, 11. The buckles 20, 21 are composed of one-touch buckles 22, 23, which can detachably engage with the one-touch buckles 12, 13, respectively, and covers 24, 25 which cover the operating parts of the one-touch buckles 22, 23. A headrest 8 for supporting the rear portion of the baby's head is provided to the top part of the back portion 5. The lower part of the head rest 8 is attached to the inside of a pocket 15 on the back portion 5 via adhesion cloth, surface fastener, or the like. A core 40 is inserted into the headrest 8. Laterally extending belt members 30 are connected to the lower part of the front portion 3. Hook members 31, 32 are attached to the ends of the belt members 30. Pairs of D-shaped members 28, 28' and 29, 29' are attached on the back portion 5 and on both sides of the pocket 15. Hook members 31, 32 can detachably engage with these ring members. To assemble the aforementioned baby carrier 1, first, a baby is placed on the carrier body 2. In this condition, the front portion 3 is folded back on the baby's torso, the hook members 31, 32 on both sides of the front portion 3 are engaged with the ring members 28, 28' or 29, 29' on the back portion 5. Thereby, the crotch portion 4 is composed in a bag-like form and the baby is held in the crotch portion. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, the crotch joint of a baby B is opened at a proper angle because of the narrow width of the crotch portion 4. This prevents damage to the crotch joint of the baby B when it is held in the baby carrier 1. Then, the one-touch buckles 12, 13 at the top ends of the belt members 10, 11 are engaged with the corresponding buckles 20, 21 at the bottom ends of the belt members 10, 11, respectively. In this case, the one-touch buckles 12, 13 are engaged with the buckles 22, 23 with the covers 24, 25 of the buckles 20, 21 opened and after engagement, the covers 24, 25 are closed. Next, the baby nursing person holds the two shoulder belts 6, 7, in her(or his) hands and lifts the baby carrier up (see Figure 4). As shown in Figures 5 and 6, she places the shoulder belts 6, 7 on her shoulders. In this manner, the baby carrier 1 is assembled and the baby is supported in the baby carrier 1. When assembling the baby carrier 1, the nursing person has only to engage the hook members 31, 32 of the front portion 3 with the ring members 28, 28' or 29, 29' of the back portion 5. Therefore, the assembly work becomes simple. Moreover, since the baby carrier 1 can be assembled with the baby placed on the carrier body 2, the work load of the baby nursing person becomes lighter. Furthermore, since the shoulder belts 6, 7 are placed not on the side of the front portion 3 but on the side of the back portion 5, the shoulder belts 6, 7 will not be in the way when engaging the hook members 31, 32 with the ring members 28, 28', thus making the assembly work much easier. Figures 7-15 show an embodiment of a baby carrier according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a head support 9 is provided on the headrest 8 and the head support 9 is comprised of a head support body 9a and band-like portions 9b extending from each side of the head support body 9a. The head support body 9a is positioned partially overlapping the headrest 8 on the side of the placement of the baby's head and only its bottom end 9c is connected to the headrest 8. Thereby, the head support body 9a is pivotable about its bottom end 9c. Snap fasteners 16, 17 are attached to the tips of the band-like portions 9b and these fasteners 16, 17 can be attached to snap fasteners 18, 19, provided at opposite ends of the upper portion of the back portion 5. In addition, the fasteners 18, 19 may be provided at the bottom of the shoulder belts 6, 7. The length of the band-like portions 9b and the position of the fasteners 18, 19 are preset such that when the shoulder belts 6, 7 are placed on the shoulder of the nursing person, the head support body 9a rotates and stands upward at an angle to the headrest 8, and thereby the head support body 9a supports the top portion of the baby's head. In addition, a core 41 that overlaps with core 40 in the headrest 8 is inserted into the head support body 9a. The top and bottom ends of a belt member 14 are connected to the top of the head support body 9a and the lower part of the head rest 8. The belt member 14 is of sufficient length that it will not prevent the pivotting movement of the head support body 9a. Additionally, the ring members 28, 28' are used for side supporting of a baby and the ring members 29, 29' are used for up/down supporting of a baby. The number of ring members is not limited to this embodiment and multiple pairs of ring members for both side and up/down holding may be provided. When holding a baby in the baby carrier 1, first, the baby is placed on the carrier body 2. In this condition, the front portion 3 is folded back on the baby's torso and the hook members 31, 32 on both sides of the front portion 3 are engaged with the corresponding ring members 28, 28' or 29, 29' in the back portion 5. Thereby, the crotch portion 4 is formed in a bag form and the baby's crotch is held in the crotch portion 4 In this case, when the baby carrier 1 is used for side supporting, that is, with the baby supported in a generally horizontal orientation, the hook members 31, 32 on the side of the front portion 3, are engaged with the ring members 28, 28' on the lower side of the back portion 5. Thereby, the center of gravity of the baby is positioned in the lower part of the carrier body 2 for stable side holding of the baby. When the baby carrier 1 is used for up/down holding that is, with the baby supported in a generally vertical orientation, the hook members 31, 32 are engaged with the upper ring members 29, 29'. Thereby, the crotch opening portion of the carrier body 2 can be enlarged, and as a result, the crotch joint of the baby is not harmed when it is held in the up/down direction. Next, the snap fasteners 16, 17 at the tips of the band-like portions 9b of the head support 9 are engaged with the corresponding fasteners 18, 19 of the two pairs of fasteners on the side of the back portion (see Figure 9). At this time, the fasteners 18, 19 are properly selected according to the size of the head or body of the baby to be held. One-touch buckles 12, 13 at the top ends of the belt members 10, 11 are engaged with the corresponding one-touch buckles 20, 21 with covers at the bottom ends of the belt members 10, 11. In this manner, one-touch buckles 12, 13 are engaged with one-touch buckles 22, 23 while the covers 24, 25 are opened and thereafter, the covers 24, 25 are closed. The baby carrier 1 is assembled in this manner and the baby is held in the baby carrier 1. Next, when the baby carrier 1 is used for side holding, the two shoulder belts 6, 7 are bundled, the baby carrier 1 is lifted up (see Figure 10), and as shown in Figure 11, both shoulder belts 6, 7 are placed at an angle on one shoulder of the baby nursing person P. At this time, since the crotch of the baby B is held in the crotch portion 4 in a bag-form as mentioned above the baby B does not fall down from the lower part of the carrier body 2. Furthermore, when the shoulder belts 6, 7 are placed on the shoulder of the nursing person P the head support body 9a stands up from the headrest 8 and around its bottom part 9c (see Figure 12), and forms the angle a (see Figure 12). Therefore, the top portion of the baby B's head is protected by this head support body 9a and the sides of the baby B's head are supported by the band-like portions 9b, too. In addition, in this case, the cores 40, 41 are inserted in the headrest 8 and the head support body 9a, so that the back of the baby B is held in a more stretched manner. As shown in Figure 11, when baby carrier 1 is in use the nursing person P can place her hand on the outside of the head support body 9a. When the baby carrier 1 is used for up/down holding, the shoulder belts 6, 7 are cross-hung from the shoulders of the baby nursing person (see Figures 13 and 14). At this time, as shown in Figure 15, the head support body 9 a is positioned integrally overlapped with the headrest 8 and the rear portion of the baby B's head is supported by the head support body 9a and the headrest 8. Furthermore, at this time, cores 40, 41 that mutually overlap one another are inserted in the head support body 9a so that the weight of the baby B's head that acts on the head support body 9a is born by the overlapped part of the cores 40, 41. Next, when the baby carrier 1 is switched from side holding to up/down holding, the hook members 31, 32 are removed from the ring members 28, 28' and are engaged with the ring members 29, 29'. Similarly, when switching from up/down holding to side holding, the hook members 31, 32 are removed from the ring members 29, 29' and are engaged with the ring members 28, 28'. Thus, switching between side holding and up/down holding can be performed simply by engaging/disengaging the hook members 31, 32 with/from the ring members 28, 28', 29, 29'. As mentioned above, according to this embodiment, switching between side holding and up/down holding can be performed very easily. In addition, when the baby is held sideways, the baby's crotch is held by the bag form crotch portion and the baby's head is supported by the head support body that stands up at an angle from the headrest. Therefore, falling down of the baby during side holding can be prevented and the baby's head can be supported stably and firmly by the head rest 8 and the head support 9. The above-described embodiment is only an example, and therefore, this invention can be applied to baby carriers in various modes as long as the baby carrier has a carrier body. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings and the described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Consequently, while the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like would be apparent to those skilled in the art, yet still fall within the scope of invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A baby carrier (1) for supporting and carrying a baby, said baby carrier comprising: a carrier body (2) comprising a front cover portion (3), a crotch cover portion (4) and a back cover portion (5); a pair of shoulder belts (6, 7); and a head support (9) comprising a head support body (9a) and two band-like portions (9b) extending laterally from the head support body (9a) in opposite directions, said band-like portions having respective fasteners (16, 17) at their free ends; characterised in that : said shoulder belts (6, 7) comprise respective belt members (10, 11) connected to and extending from said back cover portion (5); the baby carrier further comprises a headrest (8) connecting said head support with said back cover portion (5) and extending from said back cover portion, said headrest being arranged for supporting the back of the head of a baby carried in the baby carrier; at least a portion of said head support body (9a) overlaps a portion of said headrest and is attached to said headrest (8) only along an end portion (9c) of the head support body so that the head support body is pivotable relative to the headrest about said end portion (9c); and said fasteners (16, 17) at the free ends of the band-like portions (9b) are fastenable to said back cover portion or said shoulder belts. A baby carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head support body (9a) is pivotable relative to said headrest (8) in such a manner that in use, when the carrier is in a condition in which the baby is supported in a generally horizontal orientation, said head support body (9a) is inclined with respect to said headrest (8) and is thereby positioned to protect the top of the head of a baby carried in the baby carrier (1) in said horizontal orientation, and when the carrier is in a condition in which the baby is supported in a generally vertical orientation, said head support body (9a) extends substantially parallel and flush with said headrest (8) and is thereby positioned to support the back of the head of a baby. A baby carrier as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said end portion of said head support body (9a) is secured to said headrest (8) such that the head support body is pivotable about an axis (9c) extending parallel to and disposed between upper and lower edges of said headrest (8). A baby carrier as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said headrest (8) includes an internally disposed headrest core (40), said head support body (9a) includes an internally disposed head support core (41) and at least a portion of said head support core (41) overlaps a portion of said headrest core (40). A baby carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a belt member (14) having two opposite ends, one of which is connected to said head support body (9a) and the other of which is connected to said headrest (8), and wherein a middle portion of said belt member (14) between said two opposite ends is not connected directly to said head support body (9a) or said headrest (8).

Inventors: ONISHI ICHIRO, ONISHI, ICHIRO, Onishi, Ichiro c/o Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
Applicants: APRICA KASSAI KK, APRICA KASSAI KABUSHIKIKAISHA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47D13
IPC codes: A47D13