Abstract:
Disclosed is a child-carrying device designed to help a wearer carry a child, baby, infant, or toddler in their arms and accommodate a variety of holding positions. The child-carrying device can include a dual-shoulder harness, a rigid bar secured transversely between frontal strap portions of the harness, and a movable hand/wrist support assembly attached to the bar in a manner that it can freely move along the bar toward either side of the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage, and optionally rotate about the bar. In one embodiment, to use the device, the wearer picks up a child, puts an arm under the child to support the child&#39;s weight, and then slips his hand through the hand/wrist support assembly in the form of a hand/wrist sling assembly; once in this position, only minimal exertion is required to carry the child.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for assisting a wearer carrying a child, baby, or infant against their body. 
     Holding a child, baby, infant or toddler can be tiring. Body worn child carriers allow the wearer to tote or carry a child for extended periods of time compared to simply holding the child. Body worn child carrying devices include slings, front and rear mounted harness carriers, and hip carriers. 
     Many body worn child carriers suffer from one or more deficiencies. The carrier can be difficult to set up. Once set-up, changing the position of the child may be challenging and may require removing either the entire carrier or a portion of the carrier from the wearer. In addition, the carrier may not be comfortable for the wearer over extended periods, often creating pressure on the wearer&#39;s neck or shoulders; this is a particular problem with some sling-type carriers. The carrier may be uncomfortable to both the wearer and the child in hot weather. Also, carriers that have some degree of separation between child and wearer, for example, some front or rear mounted harness carriers, may lack the intimacy between child and wearer afforded by direct carrying. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in simplified form that are described in more detail in the Description. The Summary is not intended to identify essential features or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Disclosed, in several embodiments, is a device that attempts to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies described in the Background. The device can assist the wearer to support a child, baby, infant, or toddler on the wearer&#39;s arm and afford the wearer the possibility of adjusting the position of their arm along their body while holding the child. 
     The child-carrying device includes a dual-shoulder harness, a transversely mounted rigid bar, and a hand/wrist support assembly movable along the rigid bar. In one embodiment, the hand/wrist support assembly is a hand/wrist sling assembly. The shoulder harness includes a first shoulder strap portion passing over one shoulder and a second shoulder strap portion passing over the other shoulder of the wearer. The rigid bar is positioned transversely across the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage and secured proximate to a first end portion of the rigid bar to the first shoulder strap portion and secured proximate to a second end portion of the rigid bar to the second shoulder strap portion. The rigid bar is made of a material strong enough resist substantial flexion under the weight of a child. A portion of each shoulder strap extends over the wearer&#39;s back, under their arm on the same side body and attaches to an end portion of the rigid bar. Depending on the configuration of the dual-shoulder harness, a stabilizing back strap can be attached transversely between each shoulder strap portion on the back of the wearer. The stabilizing back strap is detachably attached in order to accommodate the wearer putting on and removing the child-carrying device. The movable hand/wrist sling assembly includes a portion attached circumferentially around the rigid bar, and can freely move along the rigid bar to either side of the front rib cage, and partially rotate about the bar, thus accommodating a wide variety of holding positions. The rigid bar holds the first shoulder strap portion and the second shoulder strap portion apart, at a position proximate to the lateral position of the rigid bar. The inventor observed that this arrangement, combined with the rigid bar being mounted over the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage, helps to distribute the weight more evenly over various positions of the hand/wrist sling along the rigid bar while supporting the child. To use the device, the wearer picks up the child, puts an arm under the child to support the child&#39;s weight, and then slips his hand through the strap; once in this position, only minimal exertion is required to carry the child. 
     In another embodiment, the shoulder strap portions are secured to each other on the front of the wearer, in part, by a transverse front strap positioned below the wearer&#39;s armpits over the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage. The transverse front strap can be detachably attached, for example, by a detachable buckle, ladder lock, or bar slide. 
     In a further embodiment, the shoulder strap portions can form a cross-pattern across the wearer&#39;s back in order to provide additional stability. The bar can be detachably attached to the shoulder harness on at least one end in order to accommodate the wearer putting on and removing the child-carrying device. 
     In another embodiment, the rigid bar includes an aperture defining a slot along the length of the bar. A portion of the hand/wrist sling assembly includes a flanged attachment. The flanged attachment, in combination with the slot, forms a joint that allows the hand/wrist sling assembly to move freely along the bar to either side of the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage, thus accommodating a wide variety of holding positions of the child. The portion of the flanged attachment that engages the bar can be shaped to also partially rotate about the bar allowing the wearer additional freedom of movement. 
     In a further embodiment, the hand/wrist support assembly includes a hand grip with either an integral or attached hand support. The hand/wrist support assembly is movable along the rigid bar. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a child carrier supporting a child with the wearer&#39;s right arm. The hand/wrist sling assembly is positioned approximately mid-way along a rigid bar. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the child carrier of  FIG. 1  shown supporting the child with the wearer&#39;s right arm. The hand/wrist sling assembly is positioned toward the right along the rigid bar. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the child carrier of  FIG. 1  shown supporting the child with the wearer&#39;s left arm. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the child carrier of  FIG. 1  shown worn by the wearer without the child. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of the child carrier of  FIG. 1  shown worn by the wearer. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the child carrier of  FIG. 1  shown worn by the wearer. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the hand/wrist sling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an assembled view of the child carrier of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a partially assembled view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a child carrier shown worn by the wearer. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a rear view of the child carrier of  FIG. 10  shown worn by the wearer. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of the child carrier of  FIG. 10  shown worn by the wearer. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an assembled view of the child carrier of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a child carrier shown supporting a child with the wearer&#39;s right arm. The hand/wrist sling assembly is positioned toward the right along the rigid bar. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of the child carrier of  FIG. 14  supporting a child with the wearer&#39;s right arm. The hand/wrist sling assembly is positioned approximately to the right of center along a rigid bar. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of the child carrier of  FIG. 14  shown worn by a wearer without the child. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a rigid bar and slidable hand/wrist sling assembly of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a rear view of the child carrier of  FIG. 14  shown worn by a wearer. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an assembled view of the child carrier of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  illustrates harness strap portions of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 21A  illustrates the rigid bar and sliding strap portion of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 21B  illustrates the hand/wrist sling assembly portion of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a child carrier shown worn by a wearer. 
         FIGS. 23A-23H  show embodiments of the rigid bar in cross sectional view. 
         FIG. 24A  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a child carrier with a slotted rigid bar shown worn by a wearer. 
         FIG. 24B  illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the sliding strap of  FIG. 24A . 
         FIG. 24C  illustrates the sliding strap engaged with the rigid bar of  FIG. 24A . The rigid bar is in cross-sectional view. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates an alternative hand/wrist sling assembly in combination with the harness assembly and the rigid bar of  FIGS. 15-21  shown worn by the wearer. 
         FIGS. 26A and 26B  illustrates the front and back of the hand/wrist sling assembly  700 . 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a hand/wrist sling assembly with a frictional insert. 
         FIGS. 28A-28C  illustrate rigid bars with integral end attachments. 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a front view of a child carrier with an alternative hand/wrist support assembly as worn by the wearer. 
         FIG. 30  illustrates the hand/wrist support assembly of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  illustrates the hand/wrist support assembly of  FIG. 29  with an alternative hand grip. 
         FIG. 32  illustrates the hand/wrist support assembly slidable along a slotted rigid bar. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following terms are defined here for clarity and convenience. The term child is used collectively to mean infant, baby, toddler, or young child. Child carrier is an equivalent term for a child carrying device or a child carrying apparatus. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish similar portions or parts of the described structure, however, they do not imply any particular order or preference. The use of the terms “left” or “right” in the description that follows refer to the left and right side from the wearer&#39;s perspective as depicted in drawings. Similarly, the terms “up” and “down” that follow refer to the orientation of various elements in relation to the orientation of the wearer&#39;s body. These terms are meant to aid in understanding the drawings and not meant to limit the claimed invention to a particular number or order of parts, a particular side of the wearer, or a particular direction. In addition, the term lateral, for the purposes of this disclosure, means tending toward one side of the wearer&#39;s body. For the purpose of this disclosure, a hand/wrist support assembly refers to a support assembly for supporting a hand, wrist, or upper forearm, or for supporting the combination of a hand and a wrist, the combination of a wrist and a upper forearm, or the combination of a hand, a wrist, and an upper forearm. The hand/wrist support assembly can be a hand/wrist sling assembly, as defined below, but is not limited to such. For the purpose of this disclosure, a hand/wrist sling assembly refers to a sling assembly for supporting a hand, wrist, or upper forearm, or for supporting the combination of a hand and a wrist, the combination of a wrist and a upper forearm, or the combination of a hand, a wrist, and an upper forearm. For the purpose of this disclosure, a “dual-shoulder harness” is used to collectively describe a strapped harness, that when worn is supported by both shoulders of the wearer and is configured as a restrained support. 
     The description that follows is made with reference to figures, where like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views.  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  illustrate an embodiment of a child carrier  100  shown worn by a wearer  102  holding a child  104 . The child carrier  100  includes a hand/wrist support assembly in the form of a hand/wrist sling assembly  106 . The hand/wrist sling assembly  106  is slidable along and rotatable about a rigid bar  108 . The rigid bar  108  is held transversely at the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage between and by a first shoulder strap portion  110  and a second shoulder strap portion  112 . The rigid bar  108  holds the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  apart, at a position proximate to the end portions of the rigid bar  108 . The first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  form a portion of a dual-shoulder harness. The first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  are attached to the top and side of a corresponding end of the rigid bar  108 . The first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  are illustrated as being substantially flat and cushioned. Alternatively, the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  can also be tubular or rounded, and either cushioned or not cushioned. Starting from the topside of rigid bar  108 , the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  extends laterally over the front of the wearer&#39;s ribcage, over a shoulder, and under an arm corresponding to the shoulder and attaching to the side of the rigid bar  108  corresponding to the topside attachment. 
     The hand/wrist sling assembly  106  is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  facilitating the wearer  102  with holding the child  104  in various positions. In  FIG. 1 , the wearer  102  is shown supporting the child  104  with their right arm. The hand/wrist sling assembly  106  supports the wearer&#39;s right hand and wrist along the center position of the rigid bar  108 . In  FIG. 2 , the child  104  is supported by the wearer&#39;s right arm, but with the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  slid over to the right most position of the rigid bar  108 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the wearer  102  is supporting the child  104  with their left arm. The hand/wrist sling assembly  106  supports the wearer&#39;s left hand and wrist along the center position of the rigid bar  108 . Switching from a right arm to left arm holding position, and vice versa, does not require removal or disassembly of the child carrier  100  from the wearer  102 . The wearer  102  can simply remove one hand from the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  and place the other hand into the hand/wrist sling assembly  106 . 
     Throughout this disclosure, a strap is defined as a piece of pliant or flexible material suitable for holding, securing or binding. For example, straps and strap portions for the dual-shoulder harness or sling assembly can be made of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, leather, or hemp. These can be formed into flat, tubular, or rounded shapes. The straps can be solid, hollow or layered, and non-woven or woven. Hollow or layered straps can be filled with a cushioning material. These examples are not meant to limit the claimed invention, but are provided as examples of suitable materials or suitable fabrics. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other equivalent materials or combination of materials of suitable strength, shape, and flexibility, for dual-shoulder strap harness and for a weight bearing sling assembly. 
     For further clarity,  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , illustrate the child carrier  100  worn by a wearer  102  without the child  104  of  FIGS. 1-3 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , the rigid bar  108  of  FIGS. 4 and 6  is supported between two frontal portions of the dual-shoulder harness. Each frontal portion is illustrated approximately lateral along the front of the wearer&#39;s body from the respective shoulder of the wearer. Specifically, the rigid bar  108  of  FIGS. 4 and 6  is supported on the top and left side of the wearer  102  by the first shoulder strap portion  110 . The first shoulder strap portion  110  is shown extending over the wearer&#39;s left shoulder and under their left arm. Similarly, the rigid bar  108  of  FIGS. 4 and 6  is supported on the top and right side of the wearer  102  by the second shoulder strap portion  112 . The second shoulder strap portion  112  is shown extending over the wearer&#39;s right shoulder and under their right arm. The rigid bar  108  can be covered with and enclosed by fabric or other material, for example, nylon, polypropylene, or polyester. A cushioning filler such as Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, can optionally surround the bar within the fabric envelope. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of how the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  of the dual-shoulder harness can be secured to the rigid bar  108 . A first D-ring  114  secures a first end portion  116  of the first shoulder strap portion  110  to the rigid bar  108 . The first end portion  116  can be sewn, heat bonded, glued, riveted, hook and loop fastened, or otherwise secured to itself to form the loop. The other end of the first D-ring  114  is secured to an attachment portion in the form of a first attachment loop  118  that extends upward from near the left end of the fabric covering of the rigid bar  108 . A second D-ring  120 , a second end portion  122 , and a second attachment loop  124  similarly secure an end portion of the second shoulder strap portion  112  to rigid bar  108  near its right end. The first attachment loop  118  and the second attachment loop  124  can be made of a suitably strong material to support the weight of a child, for example, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, leather, or hemp. The first attachment loop  118  and the second attachment loop  124  can be secured to their respective shoulder strap portions by sewing, heat bonding, gluing, riveting, hook and loop fastening, or otherwise securing in a manner known to those skilled in the art. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 4 , a second strap end portion of the first shoulder strap portion  110  goes under the wearer&#39;s left arm and is adjustably and removably secured to the left end of the rigid bar  108  through a first reducer loop  126  and a first single bar slide  128 . The left end of the covering that surrounds the rigid bar  108  can be sewn, heat bonded, glued, riveted, hook and loop fastened, or otherwise secured to itself to form a first closed attachment loop  130  over the smaller end of the first reducer loop  126 . Similarly, a second strap end portion of the second shoulder strap portion  112  goes under the wearer&#39;s right arm and is adjustably and removably secured to the right end of the rigid bar  108  through a second reducer loop  132  and a second single bar slide  134 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view the embodiment of  FIG. 1  worn by the wearer  102 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a stabilizing back strap  138  is attached transversely between the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  and illustrated positioned between the wearer&#39;s shoulder blades. The stabilizing back strap  138  is slidable along an attachment to the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112 . Shown is a first adjustable slide  139  and a second adjustable slide  141 , each shown secured to one of the end of the stabilizing back strap  138  in order to facilitate sliding of the stabilizing back strap  138 . The first adjustable slide  139  and the second adjustable slide  141  illustrated are typically called sternum slides. The stabilizing back strap  138  is detachably attached in order to accommodate the wearer  102  putting on and removing the child carrier  100 . In  FIG. 5 , a side release buckle  140  facilitates quick separation and attachment of the stabilizing back strap  138 . 
     In  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  is held securely to the rigid bar  108  by a hanging strap  142 . The hanging strap  142  is secured to the rigid bar  108  by looping a portion of a hanging strap  142  through double bar slide  144 . The hanging strap  142  is secured to the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  by looping the hanging strap  142  through a D-ring  146  secured to the hand/wrist sling assembly  106 . The double bar slide  144  facilitates independent adjustment of the length of the hanging strap  142  and the tightness of the strap loop around the rigid bar  108 . The latter adjusts the tension or friction of sliding of the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  along the rigid bar  108 . The hanging strap  142  is illustrated as a flat strap. Alternatively, the flat strap can be rounded or tubular, cushioned or not cushioned. 
       FIG. 7  shows the hand/wrist sling assembly  106 , hanging strap  142 , double bar slide  144 , and D-ring  146 . The hand/wrist sling assembly  106  includes a cushioned hand/wrist support  148 . A first adjustment strap  150  and a second adjustment strap  152  facilitates adjusting the lateral angle of the cushioned hand/wrist support  148 . The lateral angle is the angle along the supported limb of the wearer  102 . In  FIG. 7 , the lateral angle is the angle between the hand and wrist of the cushioned hand/wrist support  148 . The cushioned hand/wrist support  148  can be filled with a cushioning material such as cotton, polyester fiber, visco-elastic polyurethane foam, or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other cushioning materials with equivalent properties. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the first adjustment strap  150  and the second adjustment strap  152  are held in captive relation to cushioned hand/wrist support  148  by a first strap retainer  151  and a second strap retainer  153 . The first strap retainer  151  and the second strap retainer  153  can be captive loops of fabric. The first strap retainer  151  and the second strap retainer  153  can be sewn, heat bonded, glued, riveted, hook and loop fastened, or otherwise secured to the cushioned hand/wrist support  148 . The first adjustment strap  150  is secured to one bar portion of the first double bar slide  154 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the other end of the first adjustment strap  150  is secured to the other bar portion of the first double bar slide  154 . Similarly, the second adjustment strap  152  is secured to one bar portion of the second double bar slide  156  and the other end of the second adjustment strap  152  is secured to the other bar portion of the second double bar slide  156 . A first gripping strap  158  is secured to the first adjustment strap  150  and a second gripping strap  160  is secured to the second adjustment strap  152 . The first gripping strap  158  and the second gripping strap  160  help facilitate maneuvering and removal of the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  from the wearer&#39;s hand, wrist, or forearm with their free hand. While the first adjustment strap  150 , the second adjustment strap  152 , first gripping strap  158 , and second gripping strap  160  are illustrated as flat straps, these straps can also be rounded or tubular, and cushioned or not cushioned. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the child carrier  100  of  FIG. 1  in fully assembled view.  FIG. 9  illustrates the child carrier  100  of  FIG. 1  with the strap ends of the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  disengaged from the first reducer loop  126  and the second reducer loop  132  for clarity.  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the various components in their previously defined relationships. Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , these components include the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  with corresponding hanging strap  142 , double bar slide  144 , D-ring  146 , cushioned hand/wrist support  148 , the first adjustment strap  150  and the second adjustment strap  152 , the first double bar slide  154  and the second double bar slide  156 ; the rigid bar  108  with corresponding first attachment loop  118  and second attachment loop  124 , first closed attachment loop  130 , and a second closed loop attachment; the dual-shoulder harness including the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second shoulder strap portion  112  with corresponding first D-ring  114  and second D-ring  120 , first end portion  116  of the first shoulder strap portion  110  and the second end portion  122  of the second shoulder strap portion  112 , the first single bar slide  128  and the second single bar slide  134 ; and the stabilizing back strap  138  with side release buckle  140 , the first adjustable slide  139 , and the second adjustable slide  141 . The first end portion  116  and the second end portion  122  are shown in  FIG. 8  but not  FIG. 9 . 
       FIGS. 10-13  illustrate a child carrier  200 . In  FIGS. 10-12 , the child carrier  200  is shown worn by a wearer  102 . Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  12 , and  13 , the child carrier  200  incorporates the hand/wrist sling assembly  106 , hanging strap  142 , double bar slide  144 , and rigid bar  108  in cooperative relation as previously described, with the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  slidable along and rotatable about the rigid bar  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the rigid bar  108  is held transversely at the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage between and by a first shoulder strap portion  202  and a second shoulder strap portion  204 . The rigid bar  108  holds the first shoulder strap portion  202  and the second shoulder strap portion  204  apart, at a position proximate to the end portions of the rigid bar  108 . The first shoulder strap portion  202  and the second shoulder strap portion  204  form a portion of a dual-shoulder strap harness. A fabric sleeve covers the rigid bar  108 . The first shoulder strap portion  202  is secured to rigid bar  108  by a D-ring  206  and the first attachment loop  208  above the left end portion of the rigid bar  108 . Similarly, the second shoulder strap portion  204  is secured to the rigid bar  108  by a D-ring  210  and the second attachment loop  212  above the right end portion of the rigid bar  108 . The first attachment loop  208  and the second attachment loop  212  can be formed from materials and secured by means similar to those described for the first attachment loop  118  and the second attachment loop  124  of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the first shoulder strap portion  202  extends over the wearer&#39;s left shoulder and under their left arm. Similarly, the second shoulder strap portion  204  extends over the wearer&#39;s right shoulder and under their right arm. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the ends of the first shoulder strap portion  202  and the second shoulder strap portion  204  that looped under the arms are secured together by a transverse strap  214  positioned below the rigid bar  108  and across the front of the wearer&#39;s rib cage. The transverse strap  214  is shown secured to each side of shoulder strap portions ends by a first bar slide  216  and a second bar slide  218 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 10 , the left side of the rigid bar  108  is secured to the left side of the transverse strap  214  by a double bar slide  220 . The double bar slide  220  connects a strap portion  222  projecting upwardly away from the left side of the transverse strap  214  and a hanging harness strap  224  projecting downward from the fabric cover of the rigid bar  108 . Similarly the right side of the rigid bar  108  is secured to the right side of the transverse strap  214  by a double bar slide  226 . The double bar slide  226  connects a strap portion  228  projecting upwardly away from the right side of the transverse strap  214  and a hanging harness strap  230  projecting downward from the fabric cover of the rigid bar  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a stabilizing back strap  232  is secured transversely between the first shoulder strap portion  202  and the second shoulder strap portion  204  on the back of the wearer  102 . The stabilizing back strap  232  is detachably attached in order to accommodate the wearer  102  putting on and removing the child carrier  200 . The stabilizing back strap  232  is shown detachably attached by a side release buckle  234 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a laid out view of the child carrier  200  for clarity.  FIG. 13  shows the first shoulder strap portion  202 , second shoulder strap portion  204 , and transverse strap  214  in cooperation with the rigid bar  108 . 
       FIGS. 14-22  illustrate a child carrier  300 . Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the wearer  102  supports the child  104  in a similar manner as previously described using a hand/wrist support assembly in the form of a hand/wrist sling assembly  302 . The hand/wrist sling assembly  302  is slidable along and rotatable about rigid bar  108 . In both  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the wearer  102  is supporting the child  104  with their right arm with the assistance of the child carrier  300 . In  FIG. 14 , the hand/wrist sling assembly  302  is positioned to the far right along the rigid bar  108 . In  FIG. 15 , the hand/wrist sling assembly  302  is positioned approximately right of center along the rigid bar  108 . 
     For clarity,  FIG. 16  illustrates the child carrier  300  worn by the wearer  102  without the child  104  of  FIG. 15 . Illustrated is the rigid bar  108 , the hand/wrist sling assembly  302  in slidable connection with the rigid bar  108 , and a dual-shoulder harness that includes a first shoulder strap portion  304 , and a second shoulder strap portion  306 . The rigid bar  108  is disposed transversely between the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  and secured thereto. The rigid bar  108  holds the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  apart, at a position proximate to the end portions of the rigid bar  108 . The rigid bar  108  is removably secured on one end to the first shoulder strap portion  304  and on the other end to the second shoulder strap portion  306 . Side release buckles  308  can be used, as illustrated, to removably connect the rigid bar  108  to first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306 . A fabric cover can surround the rigid bar  108 . One side of the side release buckle  308  can be secured to the rigid bar  108  by an attachment portion in the form of an attachment loop  310 . The attachment loop  310  can be sewn, glued, riveted, or otherwise secured to the fabric cover surrounding the rigid bar  108 . The other side of the side release buckle  308  can similarly be adjustably secured to one of the shoulder strap portions, as shown.  FIG. 17  shows the rigid bar  108  and hand/wrist sling assembly  302  detached from the shoulder harness and showing the female half of each of the side release buckles  308 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  are cross-strapped through a four-way lash  314 . Alternatively, the straps may be divided, looped and cross-strapped using an O-ring, fabric patch, or any other appropriate cross-strap coupling known to those skilled in the art. As a further alternative, the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  can be sewn, heat bonded, glued, riveted, hook and loop fastened, or otherwise secured at the where they either meet or cross. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an assembled view of the child carrier  300 , without the wearer  102  of  FIG. 16 , including the hand/wrist sling assembly  302 , the rigid bar  108 , the first shoulder strap portion  304 , the second shoulder strap portion  306 , the side release buckle  308 , four-way lash  314 , as well as a first bar slide  316 , a second bar slide  318 , and a third bar slide  320 . The first bar slide  316 , the second bar slide  318 , and the third bar slide  320  are used to removably secure and adjust the length of the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306 . Note that although bar slides are shown, other strap or fabric connectors can be used to removably secure and adjust the length of the shoulder strap portions. For example, a slide release buckle with a ladder lock or a bar slide, cam buckle, or a slotted D-ring. Alternatively, a hook and loop fastener, such as sold under the brand name Velcro, or an equivalent, can be used in place of some or all of the bar slides. 
       FIGS. 20A and 20B  show the first shoulder strap portion  304 , the second shoulder strap portion  306 , side release buckles  308 , the first bar slide  316 , and the four-way lash  314 . The straps are illustrated as each having two portions secured at approximately right angles. Referring to  FIG. 16 , this configuration allows the formation of an adjustable transverse frontal strap portion  322  below the armpits of the wearer  102  approximately over the wearer&#39;s lower ribcage. The placement of the adjustable transverse frontal strap portion  322  depends on the size and shape of the wearer  102  in conjunction with individual strap adjustments. 
       FIGS. 21A and 21B  illustrate a partially assembled view of the rigid bar  108  and hand/wrist sling assembly  302  of  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 21A  shows a hanging strap  324 , a bar slide  326 , and D-ring  328 . The hanging strap  324  includes a looped portion  330  that is looped over the rigid bar  108  and configured so that the hanging strap  324  is slidable along the length the rigid bar  108  and rotatable about the rigid bar  108 . The looped portion  330  can be formed for example, by sewing, heat bonding, gluing, riveting, or otherwise securing the strap end to a portion of the hanging strap  324 . Alternatively, the loop can be adjusted and made removable by looping the hanging strap  324  through a double bar slide as previously described. 
       FIG. 21B  illustrates the hand/wrist sling assembly  302  laid flat to show the components. The hand/wrist sling assembly  302  includes a cushioned hand/wrist support  334 . A first adjustment strap  336  and a second adjustment strap  338  to allow for adjustment of the lateral angle of the hand/wrist portion of the cushioned hand/wrist support  334 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 21B , the first adjustment strap  336  and the second adjustment strap  338  is held to cushioned hand/wrist support  334  by a first captive loop  339  and a second captive loop  340  at top and bottom ends of the cushioned hand/wrist support  334 . The first adjustment strap  336  includes a looped end portion secured to a first double bar slide  342 . Similarly, the second adjustment strap  338  includes a looped end portion secured to a second double bar slide  344 . Referring to  FIGS. 21A and 21B , the other end of the first adjustment strap  336  loops through D-ring  328  and is adjustably secured to a first double bar slide  342 . Similarly, the other end of the second adjustment strap  338  loops through D-ring  328  and is adjustably secured to the second double bar slide  344 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an embodiment substantially as described for  FIGS. 14-21  where the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  have been widened and configured to accommodate additional cushioning. The first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  as illustrated include a fabric shell surrounding a padding material. Typical padding materials include for example, cotton, polyester fiber, visco-elastic polyurethane foam, or EVA foam. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other suitable padding materials. 
       FIGS. 23A-23H  illustrate cross sectional views of alternative embodiments of the rigid bar  108 .  FIG. 23A  shows a rigid bar  502  with a rectangular cross section and with a fabric covering  504 , such as nylon, as previously described. Cushioning filler such EVA foam, can optionally surround the bar within the fabric envelope.  FIG. 23B  shows a hollow rigid bar  506  with a rectangular cross section.  FIG. 23C  shows a solid rigid bar  508  with a square cross section.  FIG. 23D  shows a hollow rigid bar  510  with a square cross section.  FIG. 23E  shows a solid rigid bar  512  with a circular cross section.  FIG. 23F  shows a hollow rigid bar  514  with a circular cross section.  FIG. 23G  shows a solid rigid bar  516  with an elliptical cross section.  FIG. 23H  shows a hollow rigid bar  518  with an elongated cross section. These embodiments of the rigid bar  108  are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Other cross sections can be used, for example, to facilitate increased friction, or alternatively to control sliding, of the hand/wrist sling along the rigid bar  108 . The rigid bar  108  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-23  should be made of a material and thickness so that the rigid bar is strong enough substantially resist flexion or bending under the weight of a child. Suitable materials can include aluminum, titanium, steel, stainless steel, or carbon fiber. In addition, a rigid thermoplastic may make a suitable rigid bar, for example, a thermoplastic material such as polyoxymethylene (POM), sometimes sold under the brand name Delrin. 
       FIG. 24A  illustrates a child carrier  600  including a support harness substantially as described for  FIGS. 16-21  with an alternative embodiment of a rigid bar  602  and alternative interface between the rigid bar  602  and a hand/wrist support assembly in the form of a hand/wrist sling assembly  603 . The hand/wrist sling assembly  603 , with the exception of the hanging strap attachment portion, is substantially as the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  described for  FIG. 7 . The rigid bar  602  of  FIGS. 24A-C  is hollow. The rigid bar  602  includes a slot  604  along its length. A flanged attachment  606 , such as a flanged stud button, is attached to an end portion of the hanging strap  608 , the hanging strap  608  engages the hand/wrist sling assembly  603 . The flanged attachment  606  and hanging strap  608  are cooperatively configured so that the hand/wrist sling assembly  603  is slidable along the rigid bar  602 . 
       FIG. 24B  shows a detail side view of the end portion of the hanging strap  608 . The flanged attachment  606 , can be a stud button with a flanged portion  610 , a shank  612 , and a stud  614 . The stud  614  and the shank  612  in combination hold the flanged attachment  606  to the hanging strap  608  of  FIG. 24A .  FIG. 24C  illustrates a cross sectional end view of the rigid bar  602  engaged with the flanged attachment  606  and hanging strap  608 . The flanged portion  610  is larger than the slot  604  but the shank  612  is smaller than the slot  604 . This arrangement allows the flanged attachment  606  to captively slide along the length of the bar as well as rotate or swing as illustrated by arrows in  FIG. 24A . 
     In one embodiment, the rigid bar  602  includes the slot  604  extending across the entire length of the rigid bar  602 . The shank  612  of the flanged attachment  606  is slid into one end of the rigid bar  602 . Referring to  FIG. 24A , removable or permanently affixed end caps prevent the flanged attachment  606 , and thus the hand/wrist sling assembly  603 , from coming off the rigid bar  602 . End caps can be removably or permanently affixed, for example, end caps can be plastic inserts, fabricated from hook and loop material. Alternatively, the end caps can be fabricated from a fabric that is secured to rigid bar  602 , for example, by gluing, riveting, heat bonding. The rigid bar  602  can be detachably attached to the first shoulder strap portion  304  and the second shoulder strap portion  306  as previously described for  FIGS. 16-21 . 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a hand wrist support assembly, in the form of a hand/wrist sling assembly  700 , in combination with the harness assembly and the rigid bar  108  of  FIG. 16  shown worn by the wearer  102 . For clarity,  FIGS. 26A and 26B  illustrate the front and back of the hand/wrist sling assembly  700  by itself Referring to  FIGS. 25 ,  26 A and  26 B, the harness assembly includes a hand/wrist pad  702 , a strap  704 , and a double bar slide  706 . The hand/wrist pad  702  can include a filler such as EVA foam, cotton, polyester fiber, or other cushioning material. The double bar slide  706  can be used to adjust the length of the strap and independently adjust a loop around the rigid bar  108 . A side release, top release or cam buckle can be substituted for the double bar slide  706 . In addition, a single bar slide can be substituted if only the strap&#39;s length adjustment is desired. Alternatively, the strap  704  can be fashioned into a loop by sewing, heat bonding, gluing, riveting, or otherwise bonding the strap to itself. A hook and loop fastener, for example, sold under the brand name Velcro, cab be used to removably secure the strap  704  to itself. The strap can also be similarly fashioned into two loops, a smaller loop that wraps around the rigid bar  108 , and a larger loop that cradles the hand/wrist pad  702 . While  FIG. 25  illustrates the hand/wrist sling assembly  700  in combination with the harness assembly and the rigid bar  108  of  FIG. 16 , it should be understood by the reader, that the hand/wrist sling assembly  700  can be implemented in other embodiments, for example, the embodiments of  FIGS. 4 , and  10 ,  16 , and  22 , and can be adapted to be implemented in the embodiment of  FIG. 24A . 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a hand/wrist sling assembly  800  with a loop  802  for sliding along the rigid bar that includes a friction insert  804  within the loop  802 . Suitable materials for the friction insert  804  include, but are not limited to, elastomers such as a synthetic or natural rubber. The friction insert  804  can be made of a material that has the property of slowing down or stopping the sliding of the hand/wrist sling assembly  800  along the bar when sufficient downward pressure is applied, typically, the downward pressure from the weight of holding a child. While the loop  802  is shown adjustable by double bar slide  806 , the insert can be easily adapted into the other disclosed hand/wrist slings, for example, the hand/wrist sling assembly  106  of  FIG. 7 , the hand/wrist sling assembly  302  of  FIG. 17 , or the hand/wrist sling assembly  700  of  FIG. 25 . The friction insert  804  can be secured to the loop  802  by sewing, gluing, heat bonding, or by a hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, the friction insert  804  can surround the loop  802 . The friction insert  804  can also be impregnated directly into the fabric of the loop  802 . 
       FIGS. 28A-28C  each illustrate rigid bars with integral end attachments.  FIG. 28A  shows a rigid bar  902  with a first integral D-ring attachment  904  and a second integral D-ring attachment  906 . A side release buckle  908  is secured to the first integral D-ring attachment  904  with a looped strap  910 .  FIG. 28B  shows a rigid bar  912  with a first D-ring attachment  914  and a second D-ring attachment  916  secured to the top end portions of the rigid bar  912 . A first rectangular loop attachment  918  and a second rectangular loop attachment  920  are secured to each end of the rigid bar  912 . The first rectangular loop attachment  918  and the second rectangular loop attachment  920  are disposed to secure strap portions inline with the rigid bar  912 .  FIG. 28C  shows a rigid bar  922  with a top attached first rectangular loop  924  and a top attached second rectangular loop  926 . 
     In  FIGS. 28A-28C , the rigid bars and their respective attachments can be integrally formed. For example, by casting in the case of metal rigid bar, or by molding thermoplastic or carbon fiber. The rigid bars and their respective attachments can alternatively be secured by welding, heat bonding, screwing, or riveting depending on the material. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other means for securing the rigid bars with their respective attachments. 
     The rigid bars of  FIGS. 28A-28C  with their respective attachments can be coated with a protective material such as a rubberized coating. The attachments of  FIGS. 28A-28C  are illustrative of rigid bar and attachment combinations. Other attachment combinations can be made as appropriate. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates a hand/wrist support assembly  1000  slidable along the rigid bar  108  as worn by the wearer  102 . The wearer  102  is depicted wearing a dual shoulder strap harness assembly similar to that of  FIG. 16 . This hand/wrist support assembly  1000  can also be used with dual shoulder strap harnesses of  FIGS. 4 ,  10 , and  22 . A hand grip  1002  is secured via a D-ring  1004  to a hanging strap  1006 . Alternatively, the hand grip  1002  can be secured to the hanging strap  1006  by a rectangular loop, a buckle or other securing interfaces capable of securing the hand grip  1002  to the hanging strap  1006  with sufficient strength to support the weight of a child. A portion of the hanging strap  1006  is looped and surrounds the rigid bar  108  so that the hand/wrist support assembly  1000  is slidable along the rigid bar. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 29 , the wearer&#39;s hand is supported by a support base  1008  secured to the hand grip  1002 . The hand grip  1002  can be made of plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or can be made of other materials such as aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber. The hand grip  1002  and support base  1008  can be covered with a cushioning material such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile foam, neophrene, or a low durometer ABS. The hand grip materials and the optional cushioning materials disclosed are meant to be examples. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other materials suitable of both hand grips  1002  and hand grip cushioning. The support base  1008  can be integral to the hand grip  1002 . Alternatively, the support base  1008  and the hand grip  1002  can be separate pieces secured together by fasteners, adhesive, or welding, depending on the support base and hand grip  1002  material. 
       FIG. 30  illustrates the hand/wrist support assembly  1000  showing the hand grip  1002  secured to the support base  1008 . The hanging strap  1006  is shown secured to the hand grip  1002  through the D-ring  1004  as previously described. The hanging strap  1006  is looped through a bar slide  1012  forming a hanging strap looped portion  1010 . The hanging strap looped portion  1010  is disposed to slide along the rigid bar  108  of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 31  illustrates a hand/wrist support assembly  1100  with a hand grip  1014  that includes an integral support base. The hand/wrist support assembly  1100  includes the hand grip  1014  with the integral support base. The hanging strap  1006  is secured to the hand grip  1002  through the D-ring  1004  as previously described. The hanging strap  1006  is looped through a bar slide  1012  forming a hanging strap looped portion  1010 . The hanging strap looped portion  1010  is disposed to slide along the rigid bar  108  of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 32  shows a child carrier  1200  worn by the wearer  102 . The child carrier  1200  is substantially the same as the child carrier  600  of  FIG. 24A  except for hand/wrist support assembly  1100 . The hand/wrist support assembly  1100  includes hand grip  1002 , D-ring  1004 , and hanging strap  1006  in cooperative relation as previously described for  FIGS. 29 and 30 . Hanging strap  1006  terminates with the flanged attachment  606 . The flanged attachment  606  is cooperatively configured to slide along slot  604  of rigid bar  602  as previously described. While the child carrier  1200  utilizes the dual shoulder strap harness of  FIG. 16 , the hand/wrist support assembly  1100  in combination with the rigid bar  602  can easily be adapted to the dual shoulder strap harnesses of  FIGS. 4 ,  10 , and  22  based on the teachings of this disclosure. 
     An apparatus for carrying a child, infant, toddler, baby has been described. It is not the intent of this disclosure to limit the claimed invention to the examples, variations, and embodiments described in the specification. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations will occur when embodying the claimed invention in specific implementations and environments. For example, the use of the term child carrying device or child carrier to characterize various embodiments is not meant to limit the use of the device to carrying children, toddlers, babies, or infants. As an additional example, the device may also be used to carry small animals or pets. In addition, it is possible to implement certain features described in separate embodiments in combination within a single embodiment. Similarly, it is possible to implement certain features described in single embodiments either separately or in combination in multiple embodiments. It is the intent of the inventor that these variations fall within the scope of the claimed invention. While the examples, embodiments, and variations are helpful to those skilled in the art in understanding the claimed invention, it should be understood that, the scope of the claimed invention is defined solely by the following claims and their equivalents.