Patent Publication Number: US-2013248565-A1

Title: Baby Carrier

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; BENEFIT CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/613,439, filed Mar. 20, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to baby carriers, and more specifically, to an improved baby carrier. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Caregivers of infants are often presented with a variety of conflicting demands on their time. For example, infants frequently need attention and/or transport while at the same time caregivers also need to carry objects, manipulate objects, care for older children, and perform other tasks. The caregiver of an infant frequently finds himself in need of more than two hands to perform all demanded tasks simultaneously. 
     The market has responded to this need with the baby carrier: a device designed to provide restraint and transport for infants in a safe and comfortable manner, while leaving the caregiver&#39;s hands free to perform other tasks. These baby carriers come in a variety of different designs which place the infant in a variety of different body positions relative to the caregiver. 
     One set of baby carrier designs allows the infant to be positioned facing outward, away from the caregiver, with legs dangling from the carrier and free to move. With this type of front faceable baby carrier, there are a range of positions and infant body sizes that present the possibility of the infant&#39;s feet making contact with the pelvic region of the caregiver, or more specifically the genital area. This contact can be unpleasant and painful, particularly for male caregivers, and in some extreme cases may even pose a health risk for the caregiver. 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a baby carrier that can provide protection for a caregiver while supporting a front facing infant. 
     The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram that depicts a caregiver wearing a front faceable baby carrier; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a hanging guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic view of the hanging guard from  FIG. 2A , according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pocketed guard for a baby carrier, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wrap-around guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a two-piece through-buckle guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a through-buckle guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a height-adjustable through-buckle guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. 
     General Overview 
     In an embodiment, guards are provided for attaching to a baby carrier. The resulting improved baby carrier protects the caregiver by physically blocking and/or dampening the force of kicks and other motions by an infant positioned in the baby carrier, particularly a front facing infant having a degree of leg movement freedom. The guard may be shaped with a substantially widened portion to provide increased coverage for the entire pelvic area of the caregiver. This comprehensive protection may be especially appreciated by male caregivers, whose pelvic regions would otherwise be unprotected. 
     A variety of form factors and attachment means are described, including a hanging guard, a pocketed guard, a wrap-around guard, and a through-buckle guard. Since the guard can be attached as a separate removable item, the guard can be easily removed from the baby carrier when desired, for example when transferring the baby carrier from one caregiver to another. In some embodiments, the guard may be manufactured as an integral part of the baby carrier. 
     Front Facing Baby Carrier 
     Before discussing the various guards in detail, it may be helpful to provide an overview of a front faceable baby carrier. Turning to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  is a diagram that depicts a caregiver wearing a front faceable baby carrier. Diagram  100  of  FIG. 1  includes caregiver  102  with a pelvic region  104 , infant  106  with two feet  108 , and baby carrier  110  with a base  111 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , when an infant  106  is placed in a carrier positioned on the front of the body  110 , particularly when the infant is facing front as shown, the baby&#39;s feet  108  can make contact with the pelvic region  104  of the adult wearing the carrier. The human pelvic area  104 , especially in the male, is very sensitive to impact. So in such a situation, the adult must choose between the benefits of a baby carrier (e.g., baby safety with free-handed mobility) and freedom from pain. Wearing the baby carrier is convenient but too often painful, while not wearing the baby carrier is inconvenient but safe. It would be far more desirable to enjoy the benefits of the baby carrier in a pain-free manner. 
     Accordingly, to solve the above described problem, various guard form factors are proposed below to provide an improved baby carrier. 
     Hanging Guard Attachment 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a hanging guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. Diagram  200  of  FIG. 2A  includes baby carrier  210  and guard attachment  240 . Baby carrier  210  includes base  211 , fastening element  212  and strap  214 . Guard attachment  240  includes opening  224 . With respect to  FIG. 2A , baby carrier  210  may correspond to baby carrier  110  from  FIG. 1 . 
     The wearer fastens the guard attachment  240  to the baby carrier  210  by first passing the fastening element  212  through the opening  224 , then connecting the shoulder strap  214  to the fastening element  212 . This second step secures the guard attachment  240  in place with the widened bottom portion hanging downward, protecting the pelvic area of the wearer. For clarity, the fastening element  212  may be a buckle as shown, or may be some other type of fastener. 
     While guard attachment  240  is separately removable in  FIG. 2A , baby carrier  210  may also integrate guard attachment  240  in some embodiments, where the carrier portion and the guard portion form an integrated baby carrier. 
     Hanging Guard Shape And Materials 
     Turning to  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2B  is a schematic view of the hanging guard from  FIG. 2A , according to an embodiment. Guard attachment  240  of  FIG. 2B  includes opening  224 , badge  226 , elongated top portion  227 , and widened bottom portion  228 . 
     This embodiment of the guard attachment  240  is 138 mm wide at the widest point of the elongated top portion  227 . The elongated top portion  227  surrounds an opening  224  that is 100 mm wide and 40 mm high. The guard attachment tapers slightly before flaring out in a widened bottom portion  228  that is 200 mm wide. The guard attachment is 302 mm tall. 
     Guard attachment  240  may be carefully designed to provide complete protection for the pelvic area of the wearer, while preserving range of motion and maintaining attractive aesthetics. Moderate variations in dimensions/proportions (±20% along any dimension) may be desirable to accommodate differences in body types, baby carriers and/or aesthetic preferences. 
     Guard attachment  240  may be constructed of a molded EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) core with nylon fabric bonded to the outer surfaces of the molded EVA core. Edges are finished with stitched and glued fabric piping. The EVA core may be 5 mm thick with a durometer of 80. Other embodiments may have the EVA core of thicknesses from 4-6 mm, with durometer of 65-100. In other embodiments, alternative materials may substitute for molded EVA and/or nylon fabric. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pocketed guard for a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. Diagram  300  of  FIG. 3  includes two alternative molded plastic forms  330 A and  330 B, empty pocketed guard  320 A, and filled pocketed guard  320 B. Empty pocketed guard  320 A includes pocket  322 . Filled pocketed guard  320 B includes pocket  322 , opening  324 , badge  326 , and stretchable material  328 . 
     In this embodiment the guard attachment  320 B comprises 2 separate pieces. The first piece is a fabric sleeve, corresponding to empty pocketed guard  320 A, that connects to a baby carrier in the manner shown in  FIG. 2A  and described above. The second piece is a molded plastic form  330 A or  330 B that is inserted into pocket  322  of empty pocketed guard  320 A to provide protection as filled pocketed guard  320 B. 
     Wrap-Around Guard Attachment 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wrap-around guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. Diagram  400  of  FIG. 4  includes baby carrier  410 , unwrapped guard  420 A, and wrapped guard  420 B. Baby carrier  410  includes fastening element  412 . Unwrapped guard  420 A includes attachment means  422 , design accent  424 , and badge  426 . With respect to  FIG. 4 , baby carrier  410  may correspond to baby carrier  110  from  FIG. 1 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, guard  420 A attaches in a different manner than is shown in  FIG. 2A . Flaps  422  of the unwrapped guard  420 A wrap around the bottom piece of baby carrier  410  and attach to each other with a hook and loop closure or some other means. Wrapped guard  420 B is a result of wrapping flaps  422  around the bottom piece of baby carrier  410 . The attachment point is located above the fastening element  412  to ensure the security of the connection between unwrapped guard  420 A and baby carrier  410 . Fastening element  412  may correspond to fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A , although  FIG. 4  shows the opposite side of the fastening element. 
     Through-Buckle Guard Attachment 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a two-piece through-buckle guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. Diagram  500  of  FIG. 5  includes baby carrier  510 , main body portion  520 , opened clip  530 A, closed clip  530 B, and through-buckle guard  540 . Baby carrier  510  includes fastening element  512 . Main body portion  520  includes attachment means  522  and piping  528 . Opened clip  530 A includes attachment means  522 . Closed clip  530 B includes badge  526 . Through-buckle guard  540  includes main body portion  520  and closed clip  530 B. With respect to  FIG. 5 , baby carrier  510  may correspond to baby carrier  110  from  FIG. 1 . 
     This embodiment is another example of a two-piece approach to the guard attachment. The first piece is a clip  530 A that is passed through the baby carrier fastening element  512  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The second piece is a molded guard  520  that provides protection. The two pieces are assembled into the completed guard attachment  540  using attachment points  522  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Attachments points  522  are hook and loop closures or similar. Fastening element  512  may correspond to fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A , although  FIG. 5  shows the opposite side of fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a through-buckle guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. Diagram  600  of  FIG. 6  includes baby carrier  610 , main body portion  620 , opened clip  630 A, closed clip  630 B, and completed through-buckle guard  640 . Baby carrier  610  includes fastening element  612 . Main body portion  620  includes attachment means  622 . Opened clip  630 A includes attachment means  622 . Closed clip  630 B includes badge  626  and clip end  632 . Through-buckle guard  640  includes main body portion  620  and closed clip  630 B. With respect to  FIG. 6 , baby carrier  610  may correspond to baby carrier  110  from  FIG. 1 . 
     This embodiment is similar to the completed through buckle guard attachment  540  shown in  FIG. 5 ; however, the main body  620  and closed clip  630 B are one piece rather than two. Guard attachment  620  is attached to baby carrier  610  by passing opened clip  630 A upwards through the baby carrier fastening element  612  as shown in  FIG. 6 , then closing the clip downwards using attachment points  622 . Attachment points  622  are hook and loop closures or similar. The fastening element  612  may correspond to fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A , although  FIG. 6  shows the opposite side of fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a height-adjustable through-buckle guard attaching to a baby carrier, according to an embodiment. Diagram  700  of  FIG. 7  includes baby carrier  710 , main body back portion  720 A, main body front portion  720 B, clip  730 , and height adjustable guard  740 . Baby carrier  710  includes fastening element  712 . Main body back portion  720 A includes attachment means  722 . Clip  730  includes attachment means  722 . Main body front portion  720 B includes design accent  724  and badge  726 . With respect to  FIG. 7 , baby carrier  710  may correspond to baby carrier  110  from  FIG. 1 . 
     This embodiment is similar to the completed through buckle guard attachment  640  shown in  FIG. 6 ; however, the shape of the main body  720 A and  720 B is flatter and narrower and clip  730  passes downward through the baby carrier fastening element  712 . This guard attachment  720 A and  720 B is attached to baby carrier  710  by passing the opened clip  730  downwards through the baby carrier fastening element  712  as shown in  FIG. 7 , then closing the clip downwards using attachment points  722 . Attachment points  722  are hook and loop closures or similar. Fastening element  712  may correspond to fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A , although  FIG. 7  shows the opposite side of fastening element  212  in  FIG. 2A . 
     This embodiment has the advantage of allowing a wide range of positions for the guard attachment  740  via variations in the relative positions of the attachment points  722 . Taking advantage of this variability, the wearer can position the guard attachment  740  significantly higher or lower relative to baby carrier  710  in order to account for differences in carrier adjustments and/or anatomy. 
     Embodiments described herein provide valuable improvements over a standard baby carrier (e.g.,  110 ). Front-facing carriers are comfortable and safe for baby, while leaving the wearer&#39;s hands free to carry objects, care for other children, etc. Older babies are happier in these carriers for longer periods when they face frontwards and can better experience their surroundings visually. Unfortunately, this configuration exposes the wearer to discomfort or injury from a baby&#39;s kicks. Embodiments allow the wearer and the baby to experience the benefits of prolonged and comfortable carrying in a front-facing carrier, while preventing this major drawback. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be the invention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.