Abstract:
A belt mounted infant carrier support device comprising a belt clip, an attached upward projecting hook-like protrusion upon which the lip of an infant carrier rests and a support cross member below the hook.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to specialized carrier or transport devices, and in particular to a belt clip support mechanism for a hand-carried rigid container, such as an infant carrier seat or similar device for transporting the device from one location to another. 
     One type of common infant carrier ( FIG. 1   a ) uses a rigid handle that attaches to the sides of the carrier and forms an arch above the carrier with a handgrip centered above the infant. This type of carrier is frequently combined with a base unit strapped to a car seat to form a combination car seat carrier. The handle for these carriers is perpendicular to the baby&#39;s body making it awkward to carry at the user&#39;s side. Because of the handle&#39;s orientation, the user&#39;s arm is twisted so the palm faces either forward or backward placing a strain on the elbow. Furthermore, the width of the carrier forces the hand to be held away from the body, increasing the strain on the elbow, shoulder, and back ( FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c ). The weight of the baby plus the weight of the carrier would typically be in the 15 to 25 lb range. This requires substantial strength by the user and is only practical for a limited duration. A hand-carried basket found in grocery stores is a similar carrier device with similar problems. A device is needed to shift the weight to the hip region to reduce the strain on the arm and back while transporting the loaded carrier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a simple and easily manufactured device to help support the weight of an infant carrier, grocery basket, or similar rigid carrier. The device clips on to a belt and has a hook-like protrusion upon which a lip of the carrier rests. Below the hook is a support cross member to further distribute the weight by pressing against the user&#39;s hip. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1   a  shows a typical infant carrier. 
         FIG. 1   b  shows a typical infant carrier in the transport position. 
         FIG. 1   c  is a oblique view of a typical infant carrier in the transport position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the infant carrier support. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the device. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the device. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the device. 
         FIG. 6  shows the device attached to a belt. 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed side view of the device. 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed perspective view of the device. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a diagram showing an infant carrier held out to the side. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a diagram showing an infant carrier supported by the belt clip. 
         FIG. 9   c  is a diagram showing a grocery basket supported by the belt clip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention enhances the usefulness of infant carriers, hand-carried grocery baskets, and similar devices having a rigid or semi-rigid structure. The apparatus makes it easier for a person to transport such a carrier by shifting a significant amount of weight to the user&#39;s hip region. 
     The apparatus may be viewed as having three sections: a clip for attaching the device to a belt, a rigid hook attached to the lower exterior end of the belt clip, and a support cross member extending below the hook to further distribute the weight against the user&#39;s hip. The apparatus would, however, be manufactured as a single object of any lightweight malleable material, such as plastic.  FIGS. 2-5  show a perspective view, a side view, and front and rear views of the apparatus, respectively.  FIG. 6  shows the device attached to a belt. 
     A detailed side-view diagram of the infant carrier support is shown in  FIG. 7 . As depicted in this figure, the belt-clip section is generally in the shape of an inverted “U” that slips over the user&#39;s belt. The inner side to the belt clip  21  is about 2 to 3 inches in length while the outer side  22  in total extends 5 to 6 inches in length to encompass the hook and support cross member. The width of the belt clip section is about 1½ to 2 inches. The inner and outer sides of the belt clip are connected at their top ends  23  and open at their bottom ends to form a slot  24  to accommodate a belt. The slot is approximately 1¼ to 1¾ inches in height and approximately ¼ inch in width, sufficient to fit most belts. The entry to the slot  25  may be somewhat offset from the vertical axis of the slot. The inner side of the belt clip  21  at its bottom end may have a rounded knob  26 . This knob  26  and the slot offset tend to secure the belt within the slot. 
     The outer side of the belt clip  22  has a hook-like projection  27  attached to its outer surface at about half way down its length (about 3 inches from its top end). The hook-like projection  27  extends outwards approximately 1 inch at an upward angle  28  of from 5 to 30 degrees and preferably about 10 degrees with respect to the perpendicular to the outer side of the belt clip  22 . The hook-like projection  27  ends in a rounded knob  29 . The hook-like projection extends the width of the outer belt clip side  22  and further has an open slot  30  down the middle to accommodate a structural feature found on the outer lip of many infant carriers (see the detailed perspective view of  FIG. 8 ). The upward angle  28  of the hook-like projection and the knob  29  at its end tend to secure the carrier device. 
     Below the hook-like projection  27 , the outer side  22  is initially curved back toward the inner side  21  ( 31  in  FIG. 7 ) and then is bent outwards at about a 10-degree angle ( 32  in  FIG. 7 ) with respect to the plane of the upper portion of the outer belt clip side  22 . The outward bent portion  33  is increased in width to form a support cross member. When the edge of an infant carrier or other device engages the hook, it not only presses downward on the belt but also tends to rotate the belt outwards. The support cross member then presses against the user&#39;s hip, further distributing the carrier weight to the hip region. 
       FIG. 9  demonstrates a method of carrying an infant carrier seat or similar carrier by attaching it to a person&#39;s belt.  FIG. 9   a  shows one method of carrying an infant seat without assistance.  FIG. 9   b  shows a method of supporting an infant carrier seat in which the foot end of the infant carrier seat is attached to a person&#39;s belt, transferring a significant amount of weight to the hip region and reducing strain on the arm, back, and shoulder of the person carrying the seat. In this case, the means for attaching the carrier to a belt is to rest the foot edge of the infant carrier upon the hook-like projection of the belt clip. The side of the carrier could also be attached to the belt clip rather than the foot end as an alternative method of support.  FIG. 9   c  shows a grocery carrier supported by the belt clip.