Patent Publication Number: US-11395551-B2

Title: Child carrier

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/385,894 filed on Apr. 16, 2019, which claims priority to China patent application no. 201810549110.1 filed on May 31, 2018, and to China patent application no. 201810355370.5 filed on Apr. 19, 2018. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to child carriers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Child carrier products allow caregivers to conveniently carry and transport a young child in close contact with the caregiver without using hands. Various types of child carriers available on the market may differ in the way of carrying a child, e.g., the young child may be carried in front of the bearer in a recumbent position or facing forward or rearward, or may be carried on the back of the bearer. The child carriers may also differ in functionality, e.g., single use, dual use, etc. 
     The design of a child carrier has to be ergonomic to avoid concentrated stress on the bearer, and provide a comfortable environment in which the hip, waist, neck and head of the child can be adequately supported without undesirable bending or undesirable pressure on the child. Unfortunately, child carriers available on the market may still not satisfy present needs. For example, most child carriers provide a fixed space volume configuration for seating a child, which may not be adapted to the need of seating children of different sizes in different positions. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an improved child carrier that is more flexible and convenient in use, and can address at least the foregoing issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application describes a child carrier that is flexible and convenient to use. 
     According to an embodiment, the child carrier includes a carrying harness, and a child supporting part connected with the carrying harness, the child supporting part including a hip support portion and a thigh support portion connected with each other, the thigh support portion having a curved shape including two opposite tapered ends and a middle region that is thicker than the two tapered ends, the middle region of the thigh support portion being adapted to support a thigh of a child with the two tapered ends respectively located at a front and a rear of the middle region so that the child is able to sit with a knee of the child level with a hip joint of the child. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of a child carrier; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 1  in another state; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic front view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 2  with a neck support portion of the child carrier adjusted to a vertical position different from that shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic front view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 3  with a hip support adjustment of the child carrier in a fastened state for reducing a width of a hip support portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic front view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 3  having a head cover deployed outward; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 1  with a child supporting part of the child carrier flipped downward; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic rear view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating further details of the child carrier of  FIG. 1  including two shoulder straps linked to each other via two strap fastening assemblies; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the two strap fastening assemblies of the shoulder straps in an unfastened state; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating a variant construction of the child carrier; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are schematic views illustrating variant constructions of the child carrier including a pocket for concealing a hip support adjustment; 
         FIGS. 13-15  are schematic views illustrating another feature that may be provided in an embodiment of the child carrier; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view illustrating another variant construction that may be applied in an embodiment of the child carrier; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 16  with a neck support portion detached from a torso support portion; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic enlarged view illustrating further construction details of the neck support portion provided in the child carrier of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic enlarged view illustrating a head cover deployed outside the neck support portion shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the child carrier including a bib installed on a neck support portion; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic view illustrating the bib alone; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the child carrier including an expandable part operable to adjust a greatest bottom distance between a torso support portion and a carrying harness of the child carrier; 
         FIG. 23  is a side view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic view illustrating exemplary adjustment of the expandable part in the child carrier shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic enlarged view illustrating the adjusted expandable part in the child carrier shown in  FIG. 24 ; and 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic side view illustrating the child carrier of  FIG. 24  in an installed configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 1-9  to describe an embodiment of a child carrier  100 . The child carrier  100  can include a carrying harness  110  and a child supporting part  120 . The child carrier  100  may be suitable for carrying and transporting a child close to a caregiver&#39;s body. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , the carrying harness  110  can wrap around a caregiver&#39;s body when the child carrier  100  is installed and used for transporting a child. The carrying harness  110  can include a waist strap  111  and two shoulder straps  112 . Each of the two shoulder straps  112  can have one fixed end  112   a  (better shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) fixedly connected with the waist strap  111 , and a distal end  112   b  (better shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) that can be detachably fastened to the waist strap  111  or the child supporting part  120  (as described hereinafter). 
     The child supporting part  120  can be connected with the carrying harness  110 . More specifically, the child supporting part  120  can be respectively connected with the shoulder straps  112  and the waist strap  111  at two opposite end portions of the child supporting part  120 . According to an embodiment, the child supporting part  120  can include a neck support portion  121 , a torso support portion  122  having an inner surface  122   a  (better shown in  FIG. 6 ) and an outer surface  122   b  (better shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) opposite to each other, a hip support portion  123  and two thigh support portions  124 . The child supporting part  120  comprised of the neck support portion  121 , the torso support portion  122 , the hip support portion  123  and the thigh support portions  124  may include flexible materials, which may include, without limitation, fabrics, soft goods, and the like. The hip support portion  123  is disposed between and is respectively connected with the waist strap  111  and the torso support portion  122 . The two thigh support portions  124  are respectively disposed transversally opposite to each other at a left and a right side of the hip support portion  123 , and are respectively connected with the hip support portion  123 . According to an example of construction, the two thigh support portions  124  may be respectively disposed at an angle relative to the hip support portion  123  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), and can fold toward the waist strap  111 . Moreover, each thigh support portion  124  may have a curved shape including two opposite tapered ends and a middle that is thicker than the two tapered ends, e.g., like a crescent shape. The middle of the thigh support portion  124  may exemplary include a filling material so as to increase its thickness. In use, the hip support portion  123  and the two thigh support portions  124  are foldable relative to the waist strap  111 , and can delimit at least partially a receiving space for seating a child. The thicker middle of each thigh support portion  124  can provide suitable support for the thigh so that a child can sit in a position with the knees level with the hip joint, which can provide a healthier sitting position that can facilitate natural hip development. The torso support portion  122  is foldable relative to the hip support portion  123 , and can provide support for a torso of a child. The neck support portion  121  can be folded over and connected with a top of the torso support portion  122 , and can be positioned adjacent to a child&#39;s neck for assisting in supporting the child&#39;s head. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the child carrier  100  can include a hip support adjustment  130  provided on the hip support portion  123 . The hip support adjustment  130  is operable to modify a width of the hip support portion  123  according to the size and/or sitting configuration of a child. The width of the hip support portion  123  may be exemplary defined as a transversal distance between the two thigh support portions  124 . It will be appreciated, however, that the width may be defined as any distance between any two points on the hip support portion  123  along the transverse direction. According to an example of construction, the hip support adjustment  130  can include an adjusting part  131  connected with the hip support portion  123 . The adjusting part  131  may include a strip, a strap, a band, a panel, or the like. Examples of suitable materials for the adjusting part  131  may include flexible materials such as fabrics, elastic bands, and the like. The adjusting part  131  can extend transversally along a width direction of the hip support portion  123 , and is operable to urge the hip support portion  123  to transversally contract for reducing the width of the hip support portion  123 . For example, the adjusting part  131  may have at least one distal end portion operable to detachably fasten to the hip support portion  123  at one or more predetermined connecting locations thereon to adjust the width of the hip support portion  123 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the adjusting part  131  can exemplary have a fixed end  131   a  fixedly anchored to the hip support portion  123 , and a distal end portion  131   b  operable to detachably fasten to the hip support portion  123  at a location distant from the fixed end  131   a . The fixed end  131   a  of the adjusting part  131  may be fixedly anchored to the hip support portion  123  at a location adjacent to one of the two thigh support portions  124 . Any suitable fastening structure may be used to detachably fasten the distal end portion  131   b  of the adjusting part  131  to the hip support portion  123 . For example, the adjusting part  131  may have an opening  132  positioned distant from the fixed end  131   a  of the adjusting part  131 , and the hip support portion  123  may have a button  133  that can engage with and disengage from the opening  132  of the adjusting part  131 . According to an example of construction, only one opening  132  is provided in the adjusting part  131 . It will be appreciated, however, that the adjusting part  131  may include multiple openings  132 . Moreover, a distance between the fixed end  131   a  of the adjusting part  131  and the opening  132  can be smaller than the width of the hip support portion  123 . The button  133  is fixedly attached to the hip support portion  123  at a location distant from the fixed end  131   a  of the adjusting part  131  along the width direction of the hip support portion  123 . 
     The hip support adjustment  130  can be in a fastened state when the distal end portion  131   b  of the adjusting part  131  is attached to the hip support portion  123  by engaging the button  133  with the opening  132 , and in an unfastened state when the distal end portion  131   b  of the adjusting part  131  is detached from the hip support portion  123  by disengaging the button  133  from the opening  132 . When the hip support adjustment  130  is in the fastened state, the hip support portion  123  can be at least partially folded and contracted transversally, which reduces the width of the hip support portion  123 . When the hip support adjustment  130  is in the unfastened state, the hip support portion  123  may be transversally expanded, which increases the width of the hip support portion  123 . Accordingly, the width of the hip support portion  123  can be smaller when the hip support adjustment  130  is in the fastened state than when the hip support adjustment  130  is in the unfastened state. The hip support portion  123  may be thereby adjusted for receiving children of different sizes and/or in different sitting configurations. 
     It will be appreciated that multiple variant constructions of the hip support adjustment  130  may be possible. For example, the placement of the opening  132  and the button  133  may be interchanged: the opening  132  may be provided on the hip support portion  123 , and the button  133  may be provided on the adjusting part  131 . According to a variant construction, rather than having the adjusting part  131  fixedly connected with the hip support portion  123  at the fixed end thereof, the adjusting part  131  may be entirely removable from the hip support portion  123 , i.e., the adjusting part  131  may have two ends that can be detachably connected with the hip support portion  123 . According to another variant construction, the adjusting part  131  may fasten to the hip support portion  123  by using buckle fasteners, snap fasteners, hooks and loop fasteners, a zip fastener, a restraining belt, and the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the torso support portion  122  may include a storage pocket  1221  adapted to receive a head cover  1222 . The storage pocket  1221  may be placed below the neck support portion  121 , and may have an opening that can be opened and closed as desired on the outer surface  122   b  of the torso support portion  122 . For example, suitable fasteners that may be used for closing and opening the storage pocket  1221  may include, without limitation, zip fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. The head cover  1222  is shaped and sized so as to be able to at least partially cover a child&#39;s head. Examples of suitable materials for the head cover  1222  may include flexible materials such as fabrics and soft goods. The head cover  1222  may be folded and stowed inside the storage pocket  1221 , and deployed outward for use. According to an example of construction, the head cover  1222  may have an end fixedly connected with an interior of the storage pocket  1221  (e.g., by sewing), so that the head cover  1222  can be coupled to the torso support portion  122 . This may prevent inadvertent loss of the head cover  1222 , and may avoid the need of additional fasteners for connecting the head cover  1222  to the torso support portion  122 . According to another example of construction, the head cover  1222  may be separable from the torso support portion  122  if required. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , when the head cover  1222  is deployed for use, the head cover  1222  can extend from the storage pocket  1221  across the neck support portion  121  and detachably fasten to the two shoulder straps  112  of the child carrier  100  to at least partially cover and help supporting the child&#39;s head. For example, the head cover  1222  may have a plurality of fastening parts  1222   a  (better shown in  FIG. 5 ) that can respectively engage with corresponding fastening parts  1122  (better shown in  FIG. 8 ) provided on the shoulder straps  112 . The fastening parts  1222   a  and  1122  may include, without limitation, snap fasteners, button fasteners and the like. According to an example of construction, the head cover  1222  may be connected with two belt portions  1222   b  that can protrude from a distal edge  1222   c  of the head cover  1222 , and the fastening parts  1222   a  may be respectively provided on the belt portions  1222   b . During use, the head cover  1222  can be expanded to cover a child&#39;s head, and the belt portions  1222   b  may be extended toward the shoulder straps  112  so that the fastening parts  1222   a  on the belt portions  1222   b  can respectively engage with the fastening parts  1122  on the shoulder straps  112 . When the head cover  1222  is not used, the fastening parts  1222   a  and  1122  can be detached from each other, and the head cover  1222  then can be folded and stowed inside the storage pocket  1221 . The belt portions  1222   b  and the fastening parts  1222   a  thereon may be stored with the head cover  1222  inside the storage pocket  1221 . 
     It will be appreciated that the storage pocket  1221  may be provided at other suitable positions on the child supporting part  120 . For example, the storage pocket  1221  may be provided in the neck support portion  121 , so that the head cover  1222  can be stored inside the neck support portion  121 . In this case, the head cover  1222  may be connected with the neck support portion  121 , e.g., with an interior of the storage pocket  1221  provided in the neck support portion  121 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 and 6 , the neck support portion  121  can be folded over and connected with the torso support portion  122  at a top thereof. According to an example of construction, the neck support portion  121  can be fixedly connected with the top of the torso support portion  122  along a connection region  121   a  (better shown in  FIG. 6 ) extending transversally from a left to a right side of the torso support portion  122 . Moreover, the neck support portion  121  can have two end portions transversally opposite to each other along the direction of the connection region  121   a  that are respectively provided with two fastening parts  1211  (better shown in  FIG. 6 ). Each of a left and a right side of the torso support portion  122  can respectively have a plurality of fastening parts  1223  operable to engage with and disengage from the fastening parts  1211  of the neck support portion  121 . The fastening parts  1223  may be distributed at the left and right sides of the storage pocket  1221 . According to an example of construction, the fastening parts  1211  provided on the neck support portion  121  may be openings, and the fastening parts  1223  provided on the torso support portion  122  may be buttons that can engage and disengage the fastening parts  1211 . The fastening parts  1223  at each of the left and right sides may be exemplary provided on the outer surface  122   b  of the torso support portion  122 , and may be disposed in a row generally parallel to the lengthwise axis of the child supporting part  120 . According to an example of construction, the torso support portion  122  may include four fastening parts  1223 , a set of two fastening parts  1223  being respectively provided at each of the left and right sides of the torso support portion  122 . 
     According to the size of a child, the neck support portion  121  is configurable in different heights or vertical positions relative to the torso support portion  122  by folding the neck support portion  121  over the torso support portion  122 . For example, the neck support portion  121  may have a first height or vertical position by applying a first fold over the torso support portion  122  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), and a second height or vertical position lower than the first height or vertical position by applying a second fold over the torso support portion  122  that is greater than the first fold (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). When the neck support portion  121  is in the first vertical position, the fastening parts  1211  on the two opposite end portions of the neck support portion  121  can respectively engage with two upper ones of the fastening parts  1223  on the left and right sides of the torso support portion  122  to hold the neck support portion  121  in the first vertical position. When the neck support portion  121  is in the second vertical position, the fastening parts  1211  at the two opposite end portions of the neck support portion  121  can respectively engage with two lower ones of the fastening parts  1223  on the left and right sides of the torso support portion  122  to hold the neck support portion  121  in the second vertical position. 
     It will be appreciated that multiple variant constructions of the fastening parts  1211  and  1223  may be possible. For example, the fastening parts  1211  provided on the neck support portion  121  may be buttons, and the fastening parts  1223  provided on the torso support portion  122  may be openings. According to a variant construction, the fastening parts  1211  and  1223  may include magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners, hooks and loop fasteners, zipper fasteners, restraining belts, and the like. Moreover, the vertical adjustment of the neck support portion  121  relative to the torso support portion  122  may be applicable to various embodiments of the child carrier  100 , including embodiments with the storage pocket  1221  for the head cover  1222  provided in the torso support portion  122  or the neck support portion  121 . In an embodiment where the storage pocket  1221  for the head cover  1222  is provided in the neck support portion  121 , the fastening parts  1211  may be disposed on the neck support portion  121  at a left and a right side of the storage pocket  1221 , and the neck support portion  121  may be folded over the torso support portion  122  to a desirable vertical position with the head cover  1222  stored inside the neck support portion  121  or deployed outward. 
     The neck support portion  121  described herein is conveniently adjustable according to the size of a child to provide suitable support for the child&#39;s head. Accordingly, the neck support portion  121  can contribute to offer a comfortable and safer support for the child. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the child supporting part  120  and the shoulder straps  112  can detachably fasten to each other via coupling assemblies  140  and  150 . The coupling assembly  140  can include two sets of connectors  141  and  142  operable to engage with and disengage from each other. For example, two connectors  141  can be respectively coupled to the two shoulder straps  112 , and two connectors  142  can be respectively appended to a left and a right side of the torso support portion  122  via two belt portions  1224 . More specifically, each connector  141  may be attached to the corresponding shoulder strap  112  at an intermediate position between the fixed end  112   a  and the distal end  112   b  of the shoulder strap  112 . The two belt portions  1224  may be respectively attached to the torso support portion  122  adjacent to the top thereof and remotely distant from the hip support portion  123 , and each connector  142  may be coupled to the corresponding belt portion  1224 . According to an example of construction, the two belt portions  1224  may be respectively attached to the inner surface  122   a  of the torso support portion  122  adjacent to the top thereof. The length of each belt portion  1224  between the connector  142  thereof and the torso support portion  122  is adjustable according to the size of a child received in the child carrier  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the coupling assembly  150  can include two sets of connectors  151  and  152  operable to engage with and disengage from each other. For example, two connectors  151  can be respectively coupled to the two shoulder straps  112 , and two connectors  152  can be respectively coupled to the torso support portion  122  above the hip support portion  123  and the adjusting part  131 . More specifically, each connector  151  can be respectively appended at the distal end  112   b  of the corresponding shoulder strap  112  opposite to the fixed end  112   a  of the shoulder strap  112 . According to an example of construction, each connector  151  may be adjustably coupled to the shoulder strap  112  so that a length of the shoulder strap  112  between the connector  151  and the fixed end  112   a  of the shoulder strap  112  is adjustable. The connectors  152  may be disposed adjacent to the hip support portion  123 . According to an example of construction, each connector  152  may be respectively appended to a tab  1226  that can be affixed to the outer surface  122   b  of the torso support portion  122 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the outer surface  122   b  of the torso support portion  122  may further include two guide loops  1225  through which the two connectors  151  of the shoulder straps  112  can respectively pass for engagement with the two connectors  152 . For example, the two guide loops  1225  may be respectively disposed above the two thigh support portions  124  and close to the two connectors  152 . 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, the connectors  141  and  142  and the connectors  151  and  152  may include male and female connectors operable to engage into each other. According to some variant constructions, the connectors  141  and  142  and the connectors  151  and  152  may include snap fasteners, button fasteners, zipper fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. 
     For coupling the torso support portion  122  to the shoulder straps  112 , the distal ends  112   b  of the shoulder straps  112  may be connected to the torso support portion  122  by respectively engaging the connectors  151  at the distal ends  112   b  with the connectors  152  of the torso support portion  122 . Moreover, the connectors  142  of the torso support portion  122  can be respectively engaged with the connectors  141  of the shoulder straps  112 . A distance between the top of the torso support portion  122  and the shoulder straps  112  may be adjusted as desired by adjusting the length of the belt portions  1224  between the connectors  142  and the torso support portion  122 . 
     The aforementioned embodiment has the distal ends  112   b  of the shoulder straps  112  connected to the torso support portion  122  in the use configuration. According a variant embodiment, the distal ends  112   b  of the shoulder straps  112  may be connected with the waist strap  111  in the use configuration to form the closed loops for passage of the caregiver&#39;s arms, e.g., by providing the same connectors  152  at suitable positions on the waist strap  111 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , the child carrier  100  can further include a strap restraining assembly  160  that can connect between the two shoulder straps  112 . The strap restraining assembly  160  is operable to restrictedly position the two shoulder straps  112  over the caregiver&#39;s shoulders, and may include two strap fastening assemblies  161  and  162  and a linking part  163 . Examples of suitable materials for the linking part  163  may include, without limitation, flexible materials such as fabrics or like soft goods. The linking part  163  may be disposed between and oppositely connected with the two shoulder straps  112 , and may be positioned adjacent to the waist strap  111 . The linking part  163  can assist in restrictedly position the shoulder straps  112 . The two strap fastening assemblies  161  and  162  can respectively slide along the two shoulder straps  112  for adjustment, and can engage with or disengage from each other for fastening or unfastening the strap restraining assembly  160 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the strap fastening assembly  161  can include a sliding part  1611 , a female fastener  1613 , and a belt portion  1612  respectively connected with the sliding part  1611  and the female fastener  1613 . The sliding part  1611  may be slidably connected with one of the two shoulder straps  112 . For example, a guide strip  1121  extending lengthwise along the shoulder strap  112  may be provided with two opposite ends affixed to the shoulder strap  112 , and the sliding part  1611  may be slidably mounted on the guide strip  1121 . The belt portion  1612  can wrap through and connect with the sliding part  1611 , so that the belt portion  1612  and the sliding part  1611  can slide in unison along the shoulder strap  112 . The female fastener  1613  can be appended to the shoulder strap  112  via the belt portion  1612 . 
     The strap fastening assembly  162  can include a sliding part  1621 , a male fastener  1623 , and a belt portion  1622  respectively connected with the sliding part  1621  and the male fastener  1623 . The sliding part  1621  can be slidably connected with the other one of the two shoulder straps  112 , e.g., by using a guide strip  1121  like described previously. The belt portion  1622  can wrap through and connect with the sliding part  1621 , so that the belt portion  1622  and the sliding part  1621  can slide in unison along the other shoulder strap  112 . The male fastener  1623  can be adjustably appended to the other shoulder strap  112  via the belt portion  1622 . The female fastener  1613  and the male fastener  1623  are operable to engage with and disengage from each other. 
     When the child carrier  100  is installed on a caregiver&#39;s body, the linking part  163  may be positioned in front of the caregiver&#39;s torso, and the female fastener  1613  and the male fastener  1623  can engage with each other at the back of the caregiver so as to restrictedly position the two shoulder straps  112  over the caregiver&#39;s torso. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the waist strap  111  can include an attachment system  170  for fastening or unfastening the waist strap  111  around a caregiver&#39;s waist. The attachment system  170  can include two fastening parts  171  and  172  respectively provided on two opposite ends of the waist strap  111  that can detachably engage with each other. According to an example of construction, the fastening parts  171  and  172  may include hook and loop fasteners. According to other examples of construction, the fastening parts  171  and  172  may include mutually engageable male and female fasteners, snap fasteners, button fasteners, zip fasteners, and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the waist strap  111  can further include a securing harness  180  operable to tighten the waist strap  111  around a caregiver&#39;s waist. The securing harness  180  can include a tightening belt  181 , and two fastening parts  182  and  183 . The tightening belt  181  can have one end fixedly connected with the waist strap  111 , the fastening part  182  can be adjustably connected with the tightening belt  181 , and the fastening part  183  can be fixedly connected with the waist strap  111 . According to an example of construction, the fastening parts  182  and  183  may include male and female buckle parts operable to engage with each other. In use, after the waist strap  111  is fastened around a caregiver&#39;s waist with the attachment system  170 , the tightening belt  181  can be stretched to extend across the two ends of the waist strap  111  so that the fastening part  182  on the tightening belt  181  can engage with the fastening part  183  on the waist strap  111 . The waist strap  111  can be thereby tightly secured around the caregiver&#39;s waist. According to an example of construction, the waist strap  111  can further include a guide loop  1111  disposed between the fastening part  183  and an end of the waist strap  111 . The guide loop  1111  may facilitate positioning of the tightening belt  181 , which can pass through the guide loop  1111  for engaging the fastening part  182  with the fastening part  183 . 
     Exemplary use of the child carrier  100  is described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . When the child carrier  100  is to be used, the connectors  151  at the distal ends  112   b  of the shoulder straps  112  can be fastened to the connectors  152  of the torso support portion  122 , and the connectors  142  of the torso support portion  122  can be respectively engaged with the connectors  141  of the shoulder straps  112 . The torso support portion  122  can be thereby coupled to the shoulder straps  112 , and the shoulder straps  112  can respectively define two closed loops for passage of the caregiver&#39;s arms. Moreover, the width of the hip support portion  123  may be adjusted with the adjusting part  131  according to the size of a child or the child&#39;s sitting configuration. For example, when the child is to be seated facing forward and away from the caregiver, the button  133  on the hip support portion  123  can be engaged with the opening  132  of the adjusting part  131  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to reduce the width of the hip support portion  123 , whereby the hip support portion  123  can more tightly support the child. When the child is to be seated facing the caregiver, the hip support portion  123  would wrap around the larger region of the child&#39;s hip, so the button  133  on the hip support portion  123  can be disengaged from the opening  132  of the adjusting part  131  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to increase the width of the hip support portion  123  for a comfortable sitting environment. 
     Once the setup of the child carrier  100  is completed, the waist strap  111  can be fastened around a caregiver&#39;s waist by engaging the two fastening parts  171  and  172  of the attachment system  170 . The waist strap  111  may then be tightened around the caregiver&#39;s waist with the securing harness  180 . Subsequently, the child is held in front of the caregiver&#39;s torso, and the shoulder straps  112  and the child supporting part  120  are pulled upward together so that the child supporting part  120  wraps around the child and the shoulder straps  112  extend along a front side of the caregiver&#39;s torso and wrap around the caregiver&#39;s shoulders. The inner surface  122   a  of the torso support portion  122  can thereby face an interior volume of the child carrier  100  where the child is received, and the outer surface  122   b  can face outward. Then the two strap fastening assemblies  161  and  162  can be adjusted along the two shoulder straps  112  according to the caregiver&#39;s size, and can engage with each other for fastening the strap restraining assembly  160 . A distance between the top of the torso support portion  122  and the caregiver&#39;s body may be adjusted as desired by adjusting the length of the belt portions  1224 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating a variant construction of the child carrier  100  in which the hip support adjustment  130  can include a zip fastener  134  that may serve as the adjusting part  131  described previously. The zip fastener  134  can be connected with the hip support portion  123 , and can extend generally parallel to the lengthwise axis of the child supporting part  120 . According to an example of construction, the zip fastener  134  can be disposed adjacent to a middle of the hip support portion  123 . The zip fastener  134  can be closed to reduce the width of the hip support portion  123 , and opened to increase the width of the hip support portion  123 . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating a variant construction of the child carrier  100  that may include a pocket  125 . The pocket  125  can be provided in the hip support portion  123 , and can be configured to conceal the hip support adjustment  130 . More specifically, the hip support adjustment  130  may be disposed inside the pocket  125 , and the pocket  125  can have an opening  1251  at a top or a side thereof through which the hip support adjustment  130  may be accessible for operation. Concealment of the hip support adjustment  130  inside the pocket  125  may contribute to improve the overall outer appearance of the child supporting part  120 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , the hip support adjustment  130  concealed in the pocket  125  can exemplary include the adjusting part  131  and the button  133  as described previously in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-4 . In  FIG. 12 , the hip support adjustment  130  concealed in the pocket  125  can exemplary include the zip fastener  134  as described previously in conjunction with  FIG. 10 . 
       FIGS. 13-15  are schematic views illustrating another feature that may be provided in an embodiment of the child carrier  100 . The child carrier  100  shown in  FIGS. 13-15  may have any of the structures described previously. Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , the child carrier  100  may further include two thigh restraints  190  that extend between the carrying harness  110  and the child supporting part  120  and are respectively provided close to the two thigh support portions  124  at the left and right sides. According to an example of construction, the thigh restraint  190  and the thigh support portion  124  at each of the left and right sides may at least partially delimit an adjustable restraining opening through which a thigh of a child may be positioned, the thigh restraint  190  extending above the thigh support portion  124 . Once a child is installed on the child carrier  100  with a thigh of the child positioned through the restraining opening, the thigh restraint  190  can upwardly limit an upward displacement of the thigh, which may assist in suitably positioning the child and prevent the child from falling sideways off the child carrier  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , according to an example of construction, the thigh restraint  190  includes a limiting part  191  that can extend between the carrying harness  110  and the child supporting part  120 . The limiting part  191  may have an elongate shape, and may be comprised of a flexible material. For example, the limiting part  191  may be a flexible strip or band. Examples of suitable materials for the limiting part  191  may include, without limitation, fabrics, soft goods, and the like. According to an embodiment, the limiting part  191  may be respectively connected with the carrying harness  110  and the child supporting part  120  at a location between the thigh support portion  124  and the neck support portion  121 . For example, the limiting part  191  may have a fixed end  191   a  affixed to the carrying harness  110 , and may be operable to detachably connect with the torso support portion  122  at a location adjacent to the hip support portion  123  and above the thigh support portion  124 . According to an example of construction, the fixed end  191   a  of the limiting part  191  may be affixed to the shoulder strap  112  at a location adjacent to and above the waist strap  111 . According to another example of construction, the fixed end  191   a  of the limiting part  191  may be affixed to the waist strap  111 . 
     Rather than respectively connecting with the carrying harness  110  and the child supporting part  120 , the limiting part  191  may alternatively be connected with the child supporting part  120  at two distant locations. For example, the limiting part  191  may have the fixed end  191   a  connected with the hip support portion  123  or the thigh support portion  124 , and may be operable to detachably connect with the torso support portion  122  at a location adjacent to the hip support portion  123  and above the thigh support portion  124 . 
     When the limiting part  191  is connected with the torso support portion  122 , the limiting part  191  and the thigh support portion  124  can at least partially delimit a restraining opening for positioning of a child&#39;s thigh. In addition, the limiting part  191  is operable to modify the size of the restraining opening. For example, a length of the limiting part  191  between the fixed end  191   a  and the location where the limiting part  191  connects with the torso support portion  122  may be adjustable to modify the size of the restraining opening. 
     According to an example of construction, the limiting part  191  may have a first fastening part  192  disposed adjacent to a distal end  191   b  of the limiting part  191  opposite to the fixed end  191   a  thereof, and one or more second fastening part  193  disposed adjacent to the fixed end  191   a  that can engage with and disengage from the first fastening part  192 . The first and second fastening parts  192  and  193  may include, without limitation, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, buckle fasteners, and the like. For forming the restraining opening, the limiting part  191  may lace through a guide loop that is provided on the outer surface  122   b  of the torso support portion  122  above the thigh support portion  124  (e.g., the guide loop  1225 ), and then turn back so that the first fastening part  192  engages with one of the second fastening parts  193  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). In a use configuration, the installed limiting part  191  can extend above the thigh support portion  124  and below the neck support portion  121 , and can upwardly limit an upward movement of a child&#39;s thigh positioned through the restraining opening. The length of the limiting part  191  between the fixed end  191   a  and the location where the limiting part  191  connects with the torso support portion  122  (e.g., the guide loop  1225 ), which can upwardly delimit the restraining opening, can be adjusted by engaging the first fastening part  192  with a different one of the second fastening parts  193 . 
     It will be appreciated that the thigh restraint  190  may have other constructions. For example, rather than using a lacing method, a variant construction may dispose the second fastening parts  193  on the torso support portion  122 , and the first fastening part  192  on the limiting part  191  can engage with any of the second fastening parts  193  on the torso support portion  122  to form the restraining opening. According to another variant construction shown in  FIG. 26 , the limiting part  191  may include a plurality of first fastening parts  192  respectively formed as openings, and the torso support portion  122  may have a second fastening part  193  in the form of a button operable to selectively engage with any of the openings on the limiting part  191  for forming the restraining opening. According to another construction, the limiting part  191  may be detachably and/or adjustably fastened to one or both of the carrying harness  110  and the torso support portion  122 . 
       FIGS. 16-19  are schematic views illustrating another variant construction that that may be applied in an embodiment of the child carrier  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 16-19 , the neck support portion  121  may be detachably connected with a top of the torso support portion  122  via a fastener, which can be exemplary a zip fastener  126 . The fastener can be engaged to connect the neck support portion  121  with the torso support portion  122 , and disengaged to remove the neck support portion  121  from the torso support portion  122 . Accordingly, a caregiver can easily remove and install the neck support portion  121  as needed. For example, the neck support portion  121  may be removed from the torso support portion  122  for facilitating cleaning or repair. Although the example of  FIGS. 16-19  uses a zip fastener, it will be appreciated that other types of fasteners are possible for detachably connecting the neck support portion  121  with the torso support portion  122  including, without limitation, snap fasteners, button fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. Once the neck support portion  121  is connected with the torso support portion  122 , the neck support portion  121  may be folded over the torso support portion  122  (e.g., along the zip fastener  126 ) for adjustment of the vertical position of the neck support portion  121  relative to the torso support portion  122 , like described previously. The same fastening parts  1211  and  1223  described previously can be used to hold the vertical position of the neck support portion  121 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-19 , the storage pocket  1221  used for storing the head cover  1222  may be provided in the detachable neck support portion  121  rather than in the torso support portion  122 . For example, the storage pocket  1221  may be placed in a central region of the neck support portion  121 , and the fastening parts  1211  of the neck support portion  121  may be positioned at a left and a right side of the storage pocket  1221 . The opening of the storage pocket  1221  may be exemplary closed and opened with one or more snap fastener  1221   a . Other suitable fasteners for closing and opening the storage pocket  1221  may include, without limitation, zip fasteners, button fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. According to an example of construction, the head cover  1222  may have an end fixedly connected with an interior of the storage pocket  1221 , so that the head cover  1222  is coupled to the neck support portion  121 . The head cover  1222  may be folded and stowed inside the storage pocket  1221 , and deployed outward for use. When the head cover  1222  is deployed for covering a child&#39;s head, the head cover  1222  may detachably fasten to the two shoulder straps  112  of the child carrier  100  to help supporting the child&#39;s head. For example, the head cover  1222  may have two belt portions  1222   b  (better shown in  FIG. 16 ) respectively provided with fastening parts  1222   a  that can respectively engage with corresponding fastening parts  1122  provided on the shoulder straps  112 . When the head cover  1222  is unused, the belt portions  1222   b  and the fastening parts  1222   a  thereon may be stored with the head cover  1222  inside the storage pocket  1221 . 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  are schematic views illustrating another feature that may be provided in an embodiment of the child carrier  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the child carrier  100  may include a bib  127  that is installable on the child supporting part  120  to at least partially cover and protect the neck support portion  121 . The neck support portion  121  may be permanently affixed to or detachably connected with the torso support portion  122 , and can be adjusted between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the torso support portion  122  by folding the neck support portion  121  over the torso support portion  122  as described previously. The bib  127  may be installed adjacently on the neck support portion  121  while the neck support portion  121  is in any desirable vertical positions relative to the torso support portion  122 . For convenient and flexible use, the bib  127  may be attached to and detached from the child supporting part  120  as desired. For example, the bib  127  may be detachably fastened to the neck support portion  121  and/or the torso support portion  122  of the child supporting part  120 . 
     According to an example of construction, the bib  127  may have a generally U-shape, including a transversal portion  1271  and two side portions  1272  protruding from the transversal portion  1271  at two opposite sides thereof. Examples of suitable materials for the bib  127  can include, without limitation, fabrics and soft goods. The bib  127  can include a plurality of openings  1273  for attachment of the bib  127  to the child supporting part  120 . For example, two openings  1273  may be respectively disposed on the bib  127  adjacent to the two connecting regions where the two side portions  1272  respectively join with the transversal portion  1271 . In use, the bib  127  may be disposed to cover at least partially the neck support portion  121 , and fastening parts provided on the torso support portion  122  can respectively engage with the openings  1273  to hold the bib  127  in position. Examples of suitable fastening parts provided on the torso support portion  122  for engaging with the openings  1273  of the bib  1273  can include buttons. According to one embodiment, the fastening parts  1223  provided on the torso support portion  122  for holding the different vertical positions of the neck support portion  121  may also engage with the openings  1273  to hold the bib  127  in position. For example, two of the fastening parts  1223  can respectively engage with the neck support portion  121  and the bib  127  to hold the neck support portion  121  in a desired vertical position and the bib  127  in position adjacent to the neck support portion  121 . Once the bib  127  is positioned on the neck support portion  121 , the two side portions  1272  of the bib  127  can at least partially cover at least some of the fastening parts  1223  and the two belt portions  1224 . 
     In addition to or alternatively to the aforementioned fastening parts provided on the torso support portion  122 , it will be appreciated that the neck support portion  121  may also have fastening parts operable to engage with the bib  127  to hold the bib  127  in position. 
       FIGS. 22-26  are schematic views illustrating another feature that may be provided in an embodiment of the child carrier  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 22-26 , the child carrier  100  may include an expandable part  128  operable to adjust a greatest bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 , in particular a greatest bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  at one end, and the waist strap  111  or a region that is adjacent to the waist strap  111 , the shoulder straps  112  and/or the linking part  163  at the other end. The expandable part  128  may be a panel, a strip, a band, or the like. Examples of suitable materials for the expandable part  128  may include, without limitation, fabrics, soft goods, and like flexible materials. The expandable part  128  can be disposed above the hip support portion  123 . An end  128   a  (better shown in  FIG. 23 ) of the expandable part  128  may be affixed to the waist strap  111 , or to the child supporting part  120  at a region adjacent the connection between the child supporting part  120  and the waist strap  111 . Another end  128   b  (better shown in  FIG. 23 ) of the expandable part  128  opposite to the end  128   a  may be affixed to the torso support portion  122  adjacent to a bottom thereof, e.g., adjacent to the connection between the torso support portion  122  and the hip support portion  123 . The expandable part  128  can have an adjustable effective length that links the torso support portion  122  to the carrying harness  110 , which can define the greatest bottom distance allowed between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 . For example, the expandable part  128  can be connected with a fastening structure  1281  operable to modify and adjust the effective length of the expandable part  128 , which can thereby adjust the greatest bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 . When the fastening structure  1281  is configured to reduce the greatest bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 , the effective length of the expandable part  128  can be smaller than the total length of the expandable part  128  between the two ends  128   a  and  128   b  thereof. 
     According to an example of construction, the fastening structure  1281  may include a zip fastener including two rows of protruding teeth that spaced apart from each other along the lengthwise direction of the expandable part  128  and extend along a width direction of the child supporting part  120 , the two rows of protruding teeth being operable to engage with and disengage from each other. When the two rows of protruding teeth are engaged with each other, the fastening structure  1281  is in a fastened state with the expandable part  128  folded to reduce the effective length of the expandable part  128  as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , which can reduce the greatest bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 . When the two rows of protruding teeth are disengaged from each other, the fastening structure  1281  is in an unfastened state with the expandable part  128  expandable as shown in  FIG. 22  to increase the effective length of the expandable part  128 , which can increase the greatest bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 . In other words, the greatest bottom distance allowed between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110  is smaller when the fastening structure  1281  is in the fastened state than when the fastening structure  1281  is in the unfastened state. During use, the expandable part  128  may be thereby adjusted in accordance with the size of a child to set a suitable bottom distance between the torso support portion  122  and the body of the caregiver carrying the child with the child carrier  100 . 
     Although the aforementioned example provides a zip fastener for the fastening structure  1281 , it will be appreciated that other constructions may be suitable. For example, some variant constructions for the fastening structure  1281  may include, without limitation, button fasteners, snap fasteners, buckle fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. Moreover, the fastening structure  1281  may include multiple fastening positions so that more than two greatest bottom distances may be desirably set between the torso support portion  122  and the carrying harness  110 . 
     According to an embodiment, the child carrier  100  including both the expandable part  128  and the hip support adjustment  130  described herein may offer more flexibility in adjusting the torso support portion  122  and the hip support portion  123  of the child supporting part  120  in accordance with the size of a child and/or the sitting configuration of the child. Accordingly, the child carrier  100  can provide a more comfortable environment for the child. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a utility feature that may be provided in an embodiment of the child carrier  100  may include a utility holder band  1112  attached to the waist strap  111 . Examples of suitable materials for the utility holder band  1112  may include, without limitation, fabrics and soft goods. The utility holder band  1112  can extend along the waist strap  111 , and can have two opposite ends  1112   a  and  1112   b  fixedly attached to the waist strap  111  so that an intermediate portion  1112   c  of the utility holder band  1112  between the two ends  1112   a  and  1112   b  is movable away from the waist strap  111  to form a gap  1113  between the waist strap  111  and the intermediate portion  1112   c . When more than one gap  1113  is to be formed, the utility holder band  1112  may further be fixedly attached to the waist strap  111  at another location  1112   d  between the two ends  1112   a  and  1112   b . The waist strap  111  can thereby receive one or more object hung on the utility holder band  1112 . For example, an object having a catch may be hung on the utility holder band  1112  with the catch received at least partially through the gap  1113 . For convenient use, the utility holder band  1112  may be positioned on the waist strap  111  at a location that can be easily accessed by a caregiver. For example, the utility holder band  1112  may be positioned on the waist strap  111  adjacent to the hip support portion  123 . In this manner, one or more objects may be hung on the utility holder band  1112  below a child supported by the child supporting part  120  in a use configuration. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a further utility feature of the child carrier  100  may include a storage compartment  1115  provided on the waist strap  111 . The storage compartment  1115  may be fixedly attached to the waist strap  111  at a distance from the utility holder band  1112 . For example, the storage compartment  1115  may be directly sewed onto the waist strap  111 . The storage compartment  1115  may have an opening that can be closed and opened with a fastening part  1116 . According to an example of construction, the fastening part  1116  may be a zip fastener. It will be appreciated, however, that the fastening part  1116  may include other suitable constructions including, without limitation, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. A caregiver may place objects or items of relatively small sizes in the storage compartment  1115 , such as keys, cards, etc. According to an example of construction, the storage compartment  1115  may be disposed at a location on the waist strap  111  that corresponds to a left or a right side of a caregiver&#39;s body when the waist strap  111  is attached around the caregiver&#39;s waist. 
     The embodiments and constructions described herein provide multiple features that may be advantageously applied in a child carrier. These features may be implemented separately or in any suitable combinations various embodiments of the child carrier as needed. 
     Realization of the child carrier has been described in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.