Abstract:
A baby nursing and carrying device, specifically one that allows a mother to switch breasts when breastfeeding a baby while still remaining covered and while still supporting the baby. When not in use for breastfeeding purposes, a mother can use the device for easily carrying the baby without strain on the mother&#39;s back and without having to support the baby with her hands, thus allowing the mother&#39;s hands to be free to do other things.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/249,232, filed Oct. 6, 2009, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to the field of child care devices, specifically a combination nursing device and baby carrier. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    In modern society, some mothers choose to refrain from breastfeeding their babies. However, for those that do nurse their babies, breastfeeding up to every one or two hours can become a challenging endeavor. When in public, mothers need to cover their exposed breast while nursing. This can become even more of a challenge when a mother needs to switch breasts mid-feeding, which is recommended by many medical professionals. Holding a baby, covering one breast, exposing the other, and repositioning the baby can be difficult and annoying, especially when a mother is trying to keep her breasts covered. Moreover, carrying the baby when it is not feeding can put strain on a mother&#39;s back and prevent her from using her hands to accomplish other tasks. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it is desirable to have a device that can be used for both breastfeeding and carrying a baby. What is needed is a device that can be worn over the shoulders, similar to a backpack, but which has a baby support pouch that can be adjusted when a mother switches breasts while nursing. The support pouch should be adapted to selectively engage either shoulder strap, such that a baby can be repositioned while continuing to be supported and while covering a mother&#39;s exposed breast during feeding. When a baby is not being nursed, the device should be adapted for use as a baby carrier, such that the user can carry a baby close to his or her body without using hands to support the child. The device should also be easy to clean and store when not in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the present invention when not in use. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a front view of one embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate front view of one embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a back view of one embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a baby carrying and nursing device  100 . A device  100  can comprise a back support  102  coupled with a baby support  104 . A baby support  104  can be adapted to both support a baby and cover a mother&#39;s exposed breast while in use. A back support  102  can further comprise a plurality of shoulder straps  106 , which can be worn over a user&#39;s shoulders like a backpack, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         [0012]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a back support  102  can be coupled with a plurality of shoulder straps  106  and waist straps  110 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , a back support  102  can cover a substantial portion of a user&#39;s back when in use. In other embodiments, a back support  102  can cover a larger or smaller portion of a user&#39;s back when in use. In some embodiments a back support  102  can be a substantially planar piece of flexible fabric, as shown in  FIG. 4 , while in other embodiments a back support  102  can comprise a plurality of support straps which can have any desired, comfortable, and/or supportive configuration. In yet other embodiments, a back support  102  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry and/or configuration. 
         [0013]    A back support  102  can be made of fabric, nylon, polymer, or any other material or combination of materials. In some embodiments a back support  102  can be comprised of sueded polyester fabric, porous, semi-elastomeric fabric, fleece, moisture-wicking material, and/or any other known and/or convenient type of material. In yet other embodiments, a back support  102  can be comprised of a plurality of layers of material, and each layer can be different and/or can have different properties, or a back support  102  can have multiple layers of the same material. For example, in one embodiment a back support  102  can have a layer of insulating or water resistant material sandwiched between layers of mesh material. In yet other embodiments, a back support  102  can comprise a removable cooling or heating source, such as a gel pack that can be used to cool the user&#39;s body during hot weather. In some embodiments, at least one portion of a back support  102  can be padded for added comfort to its user. 
         [0014]    In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a back support  102  can have an elastomeric member  402  adapted to stretch and conform to a user&#39;s body shape when necessary and/or to enable a wide range of movement of the user. In alternate embodiments, a back support  102  can have any other known and/or convenient adjustment mechanism for conforming to a user&#39;s body and thus providing a back support  102  that is comfortable for users with different body types. 
         [0015]    Shoulder straps  106  can be made of fabric, nylon, polymer or any other material or combination of materials. At least one shoulder strap  106  can be made of sueded polyester fabric, porous, semi-elastomeric fabric, fleece, moisture-wicking material, and/or any other known and/or convenient type of material. In yet other embodiments, a shoulder strap  106  can be comprised of a plurality of layers of material, and each layer can be different and/or can have different properties, or a shoulder strap  106  can have multiple layers of the same material. For example, in one embodiment a shoulder strap  106  can have a layer of insulating or water resistant material sandwiched between layers of mesh material. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, at least one portion of shoulder straps  106  can have padding for added comfort when the device  100  is in use. In other embodiments a shoulder strap  106  can be made of non-skid material and/or can have a non-skid coating such that slippage off a user&#39;s shoulder is minimized. For example, in some embodiments, at least one shoulder strap  106  can be at least partially coated with silicone material. In other embodiments, a shoulder strap  106  can have at least one smooth surface. In yet other embodiments, a shoulder strap  106  can have at least one surface comprising ridges or other raised portions. Moreover, in some embodiments, a shoulder strap  106  can have anti-bacterial properties or at least a minimal degree of sun protection factor. 
         [0017]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , shoulder straps  106  can have at least one adjustment mechanism  108  for adjusting the lengths of the straps  106  to conform to a user&#39;s body. An adjustment mechanism  108  can be a buckle or any other known and/or convenient mechanism for adjusting strap  106  length. Each shoulder strap  106  can further comprise at least one fastener  112  for selectively coupling with a baby support  104 , as discussed in further detail below. 
         [0018]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a back support  102  can be coupled with at least one waist strap  110 . Waist straps  110  can be adapted to selectively couple with a baby support  104 . Waist straps  110  can further comprise at least one adjustment mechanism  114  adapted to selectively tighten waist straps  110  around a user&#39;s midsection. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a baby support  104  can be coupled with adjustment mechanisms  114  permanently, via sewing, adhesive or any other known and/or convenient permanent bonding method. In other embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 2 , a baby support  104  can be selectively coupled with waist straps  110 , via complementary fastening components  202 , such that a baby support  104  can be selectively separated from waist straps  110  and/or a back support  102 . In alternate embodiments, a strip of material can be coupled with a baby support  104  and fed through an opening that can extend around the lower perimeter of a back support  102  and waist straps  110 , thus allowing a user to properly reposition a baby support  104  by sliding the strip of material around a user&#39;s midsection. 
         [0019]    A baby support  104  can have a substantially triangular geometry when laid out, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, however, a baby support  104  can be rectangular, ovular, or trapezoidal in geometry, or can have any other desired and/or convenient configuration. A lower portion of a baby support  104  can be coupled with a back support  102  as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , a baby support  104  is made of elastomeric material, allowing it to conform to a baby and/or a user&#39;s body, thus holding the baby securely and preventing gaps between the baby support  104  and a user&#39;s body. In other embodiments, a baby support  104  can have elastomeric material only around its perimeter. In yet alternate embodiments, a baby support  104  can be made of fabric, nylon, polymer or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials, elastomeric or non-elastomeric. In some embodiments, a baby support  104  can be made of sueded polyester fabric, porous or mesh material, moisture-wicking material, and/or any other known and/or convenient type of material or combination of materials. 
         [0020]    In yet other embodiments, a back support  102  can be comprised of a plurality of layers of material, and each layer can be different and/or can have different properties, or a back support  102  can have multiple layers of the same material. For example, in one embodiment a back support  102  can have a layer of insulating or water resistant material sandwiched between layers of mesh material. In some embodiments, a baby support  104  can be at least partially made of fleece or any other type of insulating material to keep a baby warm. In other embodiments, a baby support  104  can comprise a washable or disposable inner liner, and/or an entire baby support  104  can be detachable from the rest of a device  100  for washing or wiping clean. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a baby support  104  can be made in a variety of sizes and can be interchangeable, such that different sizes and/or configurations of a baby support  104  can be used for different size babies. For example, a user can use the smallest available baby support  104  for her infant, but as the baby grows the user can interchange the smallest baby support  104  with a larger baby support  104 . Additionally, in some embodiments a device  100  can have multiple interchangeable baby supports  104  having different aesthetic qualities, such as different patterns, embroidery, accessories, or any other desired quality. 
         [0022]    A top portion of a baby support  104  can further comprise at least one fastener  112  adapted to selectively couple with fasteners  112  on shoulder straps  106 , thus creating a sling or pouch in which a baby can be placed when the device  100  is in use. In some embodiments, a fastener  112  can also be an adjustment mechanism, allowing the top portion of a baby support  104  to be loosed or tightened relative to a shoulder strap  106  and against a user&#39;s body. In other embodiments, a baby support  104  can comprise separate adjustment mechanisms and fasteners  112 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a device  100  can further comprise a safety mechanism  302 . A safety mechanism  302  can be adapted to couple with any of a plurality of shoulder straps  106  and can provide added security when a user uncouples a baby support  104  from a shoulder strap  106  to move it to another shoulder strap  106 , thus preventing a child from falling from the device  100  when it is being adjusted. In some embodiments, once a baby support  104  is properly coupled with another shoulder strap  106 , a safety mechanism  302  can be moved and coupled with the other shoulder strap  106 . In other embodiments, a safety mechanism  302  does not need to be repositioned. A safety mechanism  302  can be a length of material, as depicted, or can have any other known and/or convenient configuration. In some embodiments, a safety mechanism  302  can further comprise at least one fastener  112  adapted to couple with a complementary fastener  112  on a shoulder strap  106 . 
         [0023]    Adjustment mechanisms  108   114 , fasteners  112 , and/or complementary fastening components  202  can be quick-release buckles, ties, snaps, hook and loop, or any other known and/or convenient type of fastening or adjustment mechanism. In some embodiments, one or more of a back support  102 , shoulder straps  106 , waist straps  110  and a baby support  104  can further comprise an accessory  304  such as, but not limited to: a pocket for holding personal items; a baby wipe holder; a cell phone holder; and/or a hook for holding keys or other items (see  FIG. 3 ). A back support  102  can also comprise a removable or permanent pack  404  (see  FIG. 4 ) that can be used in a manner similar to a conventional backpack. In other embodiments, a pack  404  can be a pocket that can be coupled with a back support  102  along at least one edge  406  of the pocket  404 , such that when not in use, a device  100  can be stuffed into a pocket  404  for compact, easy storage. In yet other embodiments, a device  100  can comprise disposable burping clothes or any other known and/or convenient accessory temporarily or permanently coupled with a device  100 . A device  100  can also be washable or can have a washable cover (either a pocket  404  or an alternate cover or storage vessel). In some embodiments, a device  100  can be foldable into a compact size for storage and transport purposes. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in use a device  100  can be placed on a user&#39;s body by slipping first and second shoulder straps  106  over a user&#39;s shoulders such that a back support  102  can lie against the user&#39;s back. A baby support  104  can then be coupled with waist straps  110  via complementary fastening components  202 . Fasteners  112  on both a baby support  104  and a first shoulder strap  106  can be coupled such that a sling or pouch is formed in which a baby can be held, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . In this position, a mother&#39;s exposed breast can also be adequately covered while positioning or nursing her child. Once a user has properly fastened all components and adjusted the device  100  to conform to her body, a baby can be placed between a baby support  104  and a user&#39;s body. A user can then breastfeed and/or carry her baby without the need to support the baby with her hands. When a breastfeeding mother needs to switch breasts, and thus needs to reposition her baby, she can uncouple a baby support  104  from a first shoulder strap  106  and shift a baby support  104  such that it can be coupled with a second shoulder strap  106  via a fastener  112 . In embodiments that include a safety mechanism  302 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 , a safety mechanism can be repositioned once a baby support  104  is securely coupled with a second shoulder strap  106 . 
         [0025]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.