Patent Publication Number: US-9839302-B2

Title: Infant carrier

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/544,093, filed Aug. 19, 2009, by inventor Karin Annette Frost entitled “Infant Carrier”, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to child carriers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems for carrying infants. Even more particularly, the present disclosure relates inserts for transporting infants in a child carrier designed to carry larger children. 
     Wearable child carriers allow parents to carry children comfortably while maintaining freedom of hand and arm movement. Available carriers carry children in a variety of positions. Depending on the configuration of the child carrier, a parent can position the child in front of the parent, behind the parent or at the side of the parent. Some child carriers can carry children in any of these positions. For example, the ERGObaby baby carrier, allows parents to configure the carrier as a front carrier, a back pack or hip carry position (ERGObaby is a trademark of Ergobaby, Inc. of Pukalani, Hi.). 
     In general, it is recommended that young children be carried in slings or front carriers. Slings can be uncomfortable for parents as the weight of the child is unevenly distributed across the parent&#39;s shoulders. Front carriers hold a child in an upright position with the child&#39;s legs hanging down and the base of the child&#39;s spine supporting the child&#39;s bodyweight. This position may not be optimal for infants. While an adult spine has four curves, a young child&#39;s spine only has two curves. A majority of the child&#39;s spine will form a C-shape (so-called total kyphosis). Positioning an infant in an upright position may unduly and limit curvature of the spine and puts stress on the infant&#39;s sacrum. This can cause the infant&#39;s pelvis to tilt backward limiting leg and hip movement, which may impede healthy development of the infant&#39;s pelvis. 
     The current solution to this problem is to either wear the infant in a sling or, for front carriers, to wrap the infant in a blanket or padded sheet and lay the infant at an angle in the child carrier across the parent&#39;s torso. The infant will be in a reclined position with both of its feet sticking out of a single leg hole of the child carrier. However, it can be difficult and frustrating to properly position the infant in the child carrier in this manner and some parents find this configuration uncomfortable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein provide infant carriers. One embodiment can include an infant insert to carry an infant. The infant insert can include a flexible panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The panel can have a curved shape that narrows toward the bottom of the panel and can define a front opening to an area for holding an infant. The elongated panel can be sized to provide support along the infant&#39;s spine and neck. The infant insert can further comprise a cushion adapted to support the infant forward of the infant&#39;s tailbone when in use. The infant insert is sized and configured for placement in a child carrying area of a front wearable child carrier to accommodate an infant in a wearer facing position with the infant&#39;s knees raised. In one embodiment, the infant insert can be adapted to support the infant in a position with the infant&#39;s femur at an angle of 90-120 degrees from the coronal plane. Additionally, the infant insert can be adapted to support the infant in a position with the infant&#39;s knees at 45-60 degrees from the median plane. In particular embodiments, the infant insert can be adapted to promote a spread-squat-position. 
     Another embodiment of an infant insert can comprise an elongated flexible panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first bottom corner and a second bottom corner. The first bottom corner and second bottom corner can be stitched together to form a cushion opening at the bottom of the panel and cause the first side edge and second side edge to converge to form a tapered front opening to an area to hold an infant. The length of the panel from the top edge to the bottom edge can be selected to allow the panel to provide support along the infant&#39;s spine and neck and provide a head rest area. The width of the elongated panel can be selected so that the panel provides side padding for the infant when in use. The elongated flexible panel can further include a continuous rail of padding at the first side edge, top edge, and the second side edge and an area of spinal padding disposed about a vertical axis of the panel to provide padding for the infant&#39;s spine. The infant insert can further include a cushion disposed in the cushion opening at the bottom of the area to hold the infant. The infant insert can be adapted to fit in a child carrying area of a front wearable child carrier to position the infant in a wearer facing position. 
     One embodiment of a method can include placing an infant insert in a child carrying area of a child carrier in a front carrying position on a wearer. The infant insert can be positioned so that the infant is facing the wearer of the child carrier and the infant&#39;s spine and neck are supported by the panel. The method can further comprise tilting the infant&#39;s pelvis forward to eliminate weight directly on the sacrum. The infant is positioned so that the infant&#39;s knees are raised at least 90 degrees from the coronal plane. 
     The infant insert can comprise a flexible panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The panel can have a curved shape that narrows toward the bottom of the panel and can define a front opening to an area for holding an infant. The panel is sized to provide support along the infant&#39;s spine and neck. The infant insert can further comprise a cushion disposed proximate to the bottom of the area for supporting an infant. The cushion can be adapted to support the infant forward of the infant&#39;s tailbone when in use. 
     Embodiments of infant inserts described herein provide several advantages. Compared to previous inserts in which the infant reclined in a sling like position, embodiments described herein allow an infant to be positioned front-to-front with its parent. This can be a more convenient position for the parent and foster closeness. The infant is in a slightly reclined position with the insert supporting infant&#39;s spine and legs. The infant&#39;s weight is distributed across the infant&#39;s bottom, thighs and back so that the sacrum does not bear too much weight and the infant can rest with a more naturally curved spine in a spread-squat-position that is believed to be better for pelvic development. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the embodiments and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of an infant insert; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of an infant insert with a closure strap tightened; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a panel; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a cushion; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of an infant insert; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of an infant positioned in an embodiment of an infant insert; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of an adult wearing an embodiment of a child carrier in a front position with and embodiment of an infant insert in place; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation illustrating an infant in position in an embodiment of an infant insert when used in conjunction with a child carrier; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of an adult wearing an embodiment of a child carrier in a front position with and embodiment of an infant insert in place; and 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation illustrating an infant in position in an embodiment of an infant insert when used in conjunction with a child carrier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure and various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of known starting materials and processes may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, product, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, product, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or express definitions of, any term or terms with which they are utilized. Instead these examples or illustrations are to be regarded as being described with respect to one particular embodiment and as illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these examples or illustrations are utilized encompass other embodiments as well as implementations and adaptations thereof which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of that term or terms. Language designating such non-limiting examples and illustrations includes, but is not limited to: “for example,” “for instance,” “e.g.,” “in one embodiment,” and the like. 
     Reference is now made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, like numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to like and corresponding parts (elements) of the various drawings. 
     Embodiments described herein provide devices and methods for carrying infants. Particular embodiments provide an infant insert that fits in a child carrier to hold an infant in a wearer facing position (i.e., front-to-front position relative to the wearer of the child carrier) without placing undue stress on the infant&#39;s sacrum and allowing the infant to hold its legs in a more natural position.  FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of an infant insert  100  to support an infant in a child carrier. Insert  100  can include a panel  102  of flexible material having an inner (facing the infant) and outer side. Panel  102  can be sized and shaped to fit in the area of a child carrier where a child typically sits. According to one embodiment, panel  102  can have an elongated shape such as a rectangle, oval or other elongated shape. In other embodiments, panel  102  can be round or square. Panel  102  can have a length that is sufficient to provide support along the spine of the infant when in use. Panel  102  can have a length that is sufficient so that panel  102  can provide support along an infant&#39;s spine and neck. Additionally, panel  102  can be long enough to provide a head rest area; that is, an area against which the infant can rest its head (indicated at  103 ). Additionally, in one embodiment the width of panel  102  can be sufficient so that the panel provides padding at the side of the infant when in use. The size of panel  102  can be further selected so that infant insert  100  does not unduly move when used in the carrier. 
     In the embodiment shown, panel  102  has a generally rectangular shape with an outer edge having a first side edge  104 , a second side edge  106 , a top edge  108  and a bottom edge  110  with rounded corners between the top edge and side edges and square corners  105 / 107  (see  FIG. 3 ) between the side edges and the bottom edge. The shape of  FIG. 1  is provided by way of example and panel  102  can have any suitable shape. Panel  102  can be a single panel or may include multiple panels of the same or varying material coupled together to form panel  102 . 
     Panel  102  can be made of any suitable material(s). In one embodiment, panel  102  is a padded panel having an outer shell of a flexible breathable material, such as cotton, that is comfortable for an infant. Other fabrics can also be used including, but not limited to, synthetic fabrics, fleece, or other materials. The shell can contain padding for the comfort of the infant. 
     According to one embodiment, a rail  112  extends around the side and top edge of panel  102 . Rail  112  is an area of increased padding positioned to fit under the infant&#39;s legs when in use. While shown at the edge of panel  102 , rail  112  may be inset from edge of panel  102 . Moreover, while rail  112  extends along the sides of panel  102  and around the top of panel  102  in the embodiment shown, rail  112 , in other embodiments, can also extend along the bottom edge of panel  102 . In yet other embodiments, padding to support an infant&#39;s legs may be disposed in separate areas or rails rather than a continuous rail. 
     According to one embodiment, panel  102  can have a curved shape that narrows toward the bottom end. As an example, panel  102  can be rolled or folded so that the side edges  104  and  106  of panel  102  converge near the bottom of the panel. Consequently, the edges are more proximate to each other closer to the bottom of panel  102  and more distal from each other closer to the top of panel  102 . The side edges  104  can thus form a V-shaped or tapered front opening to an area for holding the infant. Edges  104  and  106  can be brought together at a point below which an infant&#39;s legs extend out of the front opening if the infant is large enough. This can help ensure that rail  112  passes under the infant&#39;s thighs for infants who are large enough to sit with their legs at the parent&#39;s sides (see  FIG. 9 ). In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , edges  104  and  106  converge completely to form opening  120  proximate to the bottom of panel  102 . 
     According to one embodiment, the bottom corners  105  and  107  (see  FIG. 3 ) of panel  102  are coupled together so that edge  104  and edge  106  overlap. The bottom corners can be securely stitched together, buttoned together, fastened together with hook and eye fasteners or otherwise coupled together. In other embodiments, however, edges  104  and  106  may not converge all the way but may only converge sufficiently to bring rail  112  under an infant&#39;s thighs. In other embodiments, side edges  104  and  106  can be drawn together to form a tapered front opening using a strap or fastener with or without coming in contact with each other. 
     Insert  100  can include a cushion  122  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) that can be disposed in opening  120  at the bottom of the infant holding area. Cushion  122  can be maintained in opening  120  based on the geometry of cushion  122 . In other embodiments, a cushion retaining strap  124 , pouch or other retaining member can help retain cushion  122 . Cushion  122  can be integral with or attached to panel  102 . In other embodiments, cushion  122  can be removable for easy cleaning. Cushion  122  can include a shell material that is the same as or different than the material used for panel  102 . 
     According to one embodiment, infant insert  100  can include a closing strap  126  that can be used to close or decrease the size of the front opening so that panel  102  more closely swaddles the infant.  FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of infant insert  100  with strap  126  tightened. In  FIG. 2 , panel  102  is formed into a more tube-like shape that will more closely swaddle a small infant. According to one embodiment, one end of strap  126  is sewn to the outer side on one half of panel  102  (e.g., the left or right half) while the free end buttons or is otherwise detachably coupled to the other half of the outer side. In another embodiment, strap  126  can be fully removable. Strap  126  can be adjustable so that the size of the front opening can be selected. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of panel  102  showing side edge  104 , side edge  106 , top edge  108 , bottom edge  110  and continuous rail  112 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , corners  105  and  107  are separated to illustrate the inner surface of panel  102 . The inner surface of panel  102  is configured to support an infant. Panel  102  can include a back pad area  130  to provide padding for an infant. Padded area  130  can have any desired shape or size. Padding in padded area  130  can be uniform throughout padded area  130  or may vary. 
     Panel  102 , in one embodiment, can include a spinal pad area  132  that is positioned to provide padding for an infant&#39;s spine. Spinal pad area  132  can be located about the vertical axis of panel  102 . Spinal pad area  132  can include any number of sections having different amounts of padding. In the example shown, spinal pad area  132  has at least three sections  134 ,  136  and  138 . According to one embodiment, the padding progressively increases from section  134  to section  138 . Section  138  can be more padded because it is expected that the infant&#39;s lower back will more likely rest against section  138 . An additional section of padding  140  may be included below section  138 . However, section  140  can include little or no padding as it may be covered by cushion  122  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). In one embodiment, progressively increased padding can be achieved by stacking layers of padding. The more layers in a given section, the more padded that section will be. Additional areas of panel  102  can be padded, such as rails  112 . The shell of panel  102  can be sewn in a quilted pattern to retain the padding within the shell. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of cushion  122 . In the embodiment shown, cushion  122  can have a tapered shape so that the bottom  142  of cushion  122  will fit through opening  120 , but the top  144  of cushion  122  will not unless forced. However, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a retaining strap  124  can help retain cushion  122 . Cushion  122  can be padded to have a desired softness and support. According to one embodiment, the size of cushion  122  can be selected so that cushion  122  will reach the hollow of the infant&#39;s knees when the infant is positioned with its legs spread around the wearer&#39;s body. When an infant is too large for the infant insert, cushion  122  can be placed in a child carrier to help boost the child. While illustrated as a removable cushion, cushion  122  can be fixed to infant carrier  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of an infant insert  200 . Insert  200  can have a panel  202  that is similar to panel  102  of  FIG. 1 . Panel  202  can include a pouch  204  for a removable back cushion  206  that provides spinal padding. Cushion  206  can have uniform padding or padding that varies along the length of cushion  206 . Cushion  206  can be positioned to provide padding along the infant&#39;s spine. In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , infant insert  200  does not include cushion retaining strap  124  or closing strap  126 . 
     In operation, infant insert  100  or  200  can be used in conjunction with a child carrier. Child carriers typically include a harness and one or more panels for holding a child. The harness provides shoulder straps, waistbands, chest straps or other harnessing so that an adult can wear the child carrier. The carrier panel(s) forms flexible or rigid confines of a child carrying area. 
     Using an example of a carrier with a flexible fabric panel, the lower portion of the panel attaches at its center to the harness (typically near a waistband) and the upper corners (or other portions) of the panel attach to the harness near the adult&#39;s shoulders or chest. The carrier panel and parent&#39;s torso cooperate to hold the baby in the correct position. Typically, child carriers are designed so that the legs of the child can dangle out of leg holes. Some child carriers include material between the child and the parent while other child carriers leave the space between the child and parent open. There are a large number of child carriers on the market that may include more components such as hoods, support legs and other options. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that inserts described herein can be adapted for use with a variety of child carriers known or developed in the art. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of an infant positioned in an infant insert  100 . The infant can lie in the center of infant insert  100  with its bottom situated next to cushion  122 . If desired, closure strap  126  can be used so that panel  102  curves around the infant to provide padding at the side of the infant and more closely swaddling the infant. The infant&#39;s legs can be naturally open with its knees in a comfortable bend. Panel  102  can provide support along the infant&#39;s spine and neck and the infant&#39;s head can rest on a portion of panel  102 . When infant insert  100  is placed in a child carrier, infant insert  100  can provide padding at the back, neck and sides of the infant. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of an adult wearing a child carrier in a front position with infant insert  100  in place. The infant is in a wearer facing position. Child carrier  500  includes harnessing  502 , such as a waist band and shoulder straps, and a panel  504 . Panel  504  in cooperation with the parent&#39;s torso form a carrying area in which a child would typically sit. Example child carriers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,498, issued Jan. 29, 2008 to Frost, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. Example available child carriers include, but are not limited to the ERGOBaby baby carriers and other child carriers. 
     Infant insert  100  can be disposed in the area of child carrier  500  that holds a child. According to one embodiment the vertical axis of insert  100  can be substantially aligned with that of carrier  500 . Infant insert  100  can be long enough, so that a portion of infant insert  100  can extend beyond the child carrying area of the child carrier. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation illustrating an infant in position in infant insert  100  when used in conjunction with carrier  500 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a flexible panel  504  and a portion of harnessing  502 . Panel  504  forms a pouch in which a child sits (denoted by area  510 ). Infant insert is positioned in this area. The infant reclines back onto panel  102 . Additionally, the infant can be positioned on the cushion  122  so that the infant is not sitting with a majority of its weight on the tailbone. Instead, the infant can be positioned so that cushion  122  contacts and supports the infant&#39;s thighs and/or bottom forward of the tailbone. Cushion  122  will compress to distribute weight along the infant&#39;s thighs. Additionally the infant&#39;s spine can be naturally bent. A parent can aid in achieving this position by reaching under the baby&#39;s bottom and tilting its pelvis forward, thereby positioning the infant with a naturally curved spine. 
     In one embodiment, the infant insert allows the infant to be positioned so that the infant&#39;s femur can be at least 90 degrees from the coronal plane of the infant (the plane dividing anterior and posterior sections of the body). In other embodiments the angle can be approximately 110 or 120 degrees. Greater or lesser angles may be achieved based on the range of motion of the infant. Additionally, the infant can be positioned so that its knees are spread apart. According to one embodiment, the infant can be positioned with each knee at least 20 degrees from the median plane (the plane that dividing left and right sections of the body). In some embodiments the infant can be positioned with its knees approximately 45-60 degrees or more (depending on the range of motion of the infant) from the median plane. It should be noted, however, that the infant can be positioned in any comfortable position, emphasizing a support posture rather than a sitting posture. 
     With a newborn or younger infant, the feet can come together so that the infant is sitting in a position similar to a lotus position. However, as the infant grows older, the legs will naturally open. As this happens, the parent can position the legs in a spread position around the wearer.  FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of an infant in infant insert  100  in a child carrier  500  with the infant having its legs at the side of the parent.  FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation of a cutaway view illustrating an infant in position in infant insert  100  when used in conjunction with carrier  500 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a flexible panel  504  and a portion of harnessing  502 . Panel  504  forms a pouch or sling in which a child typically sits (denoted by area  510 ). Infant insert  100  is positioned in this area and may be long enough to extend out of this area. The infant can be positioned similarly to that described in conjunction with  FIG. 8  but with the infant&#39;s legs spread to the sides of the parent. An angle Θ of the infant&#39;s femur to the coronal plane can be maintained. Additionally, the knees can be spread apart to desired distance. If the infant&#39;s legs extend out of the front opening of the infant insert, the rail  112  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can provide additional padding for the infant&#39;s legs. 
     When the infant has its knees elevated at the same level as the bellybutton, and the legs are naturally spread (typically with each knee having an angle of about 45-60 degrees from the median plane), the infant is in a “spread-squat-position.” The spread-squat-position correctly positions the femur in the hip joint, or acetabulum, so that all areas of the acetabulum are strained equally. It is believed that this aids in development of the core of the bone. As can be seen in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , embodiments described herein can allow an infant to be positioned in a spread-squat-position in a child carrier. 
     Embodiments of infant inserts described herein provide several advantages. Compared to previous inserts in which the infant reclined in a sling like position, embodiments described herein allow an infant to be positioned front-to-front with its parent. This can be a more convenient position for the parent and foster closeness. The infant is in a relative upright position with the insert supporting infant&#39;s spine, neck and legs. The infant&#39;s weight is distributed across the infant&#39;s bottom, thighs and back so that the sacrum does not bear too much weight and the infant can rest with a more naturally curved spine in a spread-squat-position that is believed to be better for pelvic and spinal development. 
     While embodiments described above have been described in terms of a removable infant insert that is placed in an existing carrier, an infant insert, in other embodiments, may be a non-removable component of the child carrier. In other embodiments, the infant insert may be attached to the child carrier with buttons, hook and eye fasteners, clasps or other mechanism. Inserts can be sized as desired. According to one embodiment, an infant insert can be sized to accommodate up to an average six month old child. 
     In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art can appreciate, embodiments of the inserts disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using embodiments of a carrier. It is to be understood that the forms of the disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as exemplary embodiments. Equivalent elements or materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure.