Patent Publication Number: US-2018035814-A1

Title: Detachable canopy for baby carrier

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under the Paris Convention on Israel Patent Application No. 247089 filed on Aug. 3, 2016, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to protection covers for baby carriers and more specifically to such covers for front or back wearing backpack style baby carriers. 
     The present invention relates to a canopy for carriers adapted to be worn by an adult in order to support and carry an infant or young child. More particularly, the present invention is directed, but not limited to an infant carrier wherein the infant is carried in front of the wearer, either facing or with its back toward the chest of the person wearing the harness, or diametrically opposite to it, i.e., on the back of the person to ensure the baby of warmth and heartbeat of the wearer&#39;s body apart from protecting the baby/child from sunrays and other vagaries of climate. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of a variety of infant carriers for carrying a baby without the burden of using the parent&#39;s hands is quite prevalent. Amongst these, a recent development is the backpack type of carrier that allows the wearer the freedom from the burden of carrying the baby in their arms, by placing the baby in an upright posture, facing or backed up to the chest of the wearer or diametrically opposite to it (on the wearer&#39;s back). The carrier has a seat and is sometimes attached to a frame that is fitted with straps and adapted to be carried on the back or in front, in a manner similar to a conventional backpack. Such a design has enjoyed increasing popularity because of the edge over competitors with regard to their additional convenience besides that of the ability of the care-giver in carrying increased weight. Thus, it becomes possible to have extended walks and even off-road hiking by the care-giver with the baby, sited comfortably and without exhaustion. However, none of the incorporated design so far, ensures protection of the baby from the vagaries of weather, other environmental conditions and other hazards. 
     Despite their innovative design, backpack type carriers suffer from the problem of non-provisioning of sun protection for the baby. The apparent assumption is that the baby&#39;s apparel will provide this protection. 
     However, recent research highlights the importance of protecting babies and infants from sun exposure. Immediate effects of sunburn can include dehydration, fever, faintness, delirium, shock, dangerously low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. Long term effects increase the risk of skin cancer, wrinkles, and even cataracts in later life and the damage is cumulative, increasing with each sunburn or even each exposure. Research indicates that two or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. These risks are compounded by the fact that baby&#39;s skin is thinner and will receive a more severe sunburn than an adult&#39;s skin. Further, since babies cannot communicate, a wearer gets no inkling as to whether the baby is getting too hot or beginning to sunburn. When the baby is placed in a carrier and placed on the wearer&#39;s back, the wearer may not have an inkling as to the real condition of the infant/baby, arising out of a developing sunburn. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Quite a number of existing inventions of similar design are in vogue; and examples are noted, as follow: 
     KR 101453460 relates to a baby band capable of being used as a hip seat that can be used both as a baby band and/or a hip seat based on a combination of components. It is used as a baby band for smaller babies (up to 100 days old) having limited head reach, and thereafter used either as a baby band or a hip seat. The baby band includes an out-pad member where both sides have a shoulder band with a first hand-snap button, the lower end has a first zipper, and both sides at the front have a second hand-snap button; an in-pad member; a hip seat member; and a waist member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,085,930 discloses a system with adjustable fastening means that provides a removable sun screen to provide shade and/or UV protection for strollers, car seats, and other carriers for infants and toddlers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,100 teaches a sunshade device for use with a baby backpack formed for supporting a baby occupant through two mounting brackets. The first bracket is coupled to a first frame portion of the baby backpack and the second bracket is coupled to a second frame portion of the baby backpack. A flexible, sheet-like sunshade is also included having a rear end mounted to a rear portion of a rear shade support and an opposite front end mounted to a portion of a front shade support. In the open position, the sheet-like sunshade is oriented to extend vertically over the occupant for shielding thereof, while in the closed position, the sunshade can be selectively closed rearwardly of the occupant to enable easy ingress and egress from the backpack. 
     The presence of these above carriers and others in the market, has also increased the need for an universal canopy capable of protecting the baby closely from all weather conditions yet having the comfortability and flexibility of position and coverage area. These and other objects of the present invention can be understood from the following objects and description of the present invention 
     OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention is to provide an improved canopy for a baby carrier for protecting the baby from the vagaries of weather. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier for protecting the baby from sunburns. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier in which the hood of the canopy is simple and easy to use. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier in which the canopy is detachable from the carrier. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier, wherein the orientation can be adjusted/changed according to the requirement of the baby. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier in which the position can be adjusted according to the requirement of the wearer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier whereby the canopy is revolvable between a fully coverable to a fully closed state with three intermediate (closed, opened or semi closed) positions possible. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for a baby carrier in which the hood of the canopy does not interfere with a child&#39;s movement apart from not touching his/her head. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy for baby carrier in which the hood of the canopy is of simple construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A universal detachable canopy for a baby carrier including a canopy body, a canopy frame, and a plurality of attachment members having at least one end attachable to a textile surface and the orientation and position of the canopy is changeable/adjustable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with the aid of the description which relates to preferred embodiments of the invention explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a detachable canopy in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a canopy frame of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts the detachable canopy of the present invention in a fully closed position. 
         FIG. 4  depicts the detachable canopy of the present invention in a semi closed position. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the canopy of the present invention on a baby carrier in a semi closed position, when the baby faces the wearer. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a side view of the canopy of the present invention on the baby carrier in a fully outspread position, when the baby faces the wearer. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the canopy of the present invention on the baby carrier in a fully outspread position illustrating the various positions of the various attachment members and in various positions giving a proper orientation to the canopy when the baby faces the wearer. 
         FIG. 8  depicts the canopy of the present invention on the baby carrier in a fully outspread position facing the wearer with a pair of clip like attachment member and an attachment member with strap. 
         FIG. 9  depicts the front view of the canopy of the present invention on the carrier in a semi closed position having a pair of attachment members. 
         FIG. 10  depicts the canopy of the present invention on the carrier facing forward in a semi closed position having a pair of clip like attachment members and an additional attachment member with strap. 
         FIG. 11  depicts the canopy of the present invention on the carrier facing forward in a semi closed position having a pair of clip like attachment members and a pair of attachment members with strap fixed to the shoulder pads. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the canopy of the present invention on the carrier facing the wearer and connected with the carrier by a pair of attachment means having attachment members with straps in a loose position. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the canopy of the present invention with the carrier facing forward and connected with the attachment members with straps. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates some of the various forms of the attachment members used in the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, a universal detachable canopy for a baby carrier is shown. The canopy protects a baby closely from all sides from various weather conditions. The universal detachable canopy includes: a canopy body  10 ; a canopy frame  20 ; and a plurality of attachment members  30 . 
     The canopy body  10  is preferably formed of multiple panels of flexible, sheet material  11  and is movable between an uncovering position in which the child in the child carrier  32  is exposed and a covering position in which the canopy extends from the back region to the front of the child carrier  32  to fully cover the baby, thus protecting the baby from all sides. 
     A hood  12  of the canopy body  10  has two faces or portions, a forward portion or forward face  13  and a rearward portion or rearward face  14 , as well as two sides that cover the arms of the ribs of an inverted “U” shaped member, which generally covers the child&#39;s head from the sides. The forward face  13  is the portion of the hood  12  that covers the face of the child; and the rearward face  14  covers the back of the child. 
     The canopy frame  20  is formed of a plurality of generally inverted “U” shaped ribs or struts  21 , which continue along three sides, and when mounted have free ends brought together like a cluster (not visible in the figure). 
     Thus, the canopy body  10  along with the panels of flexible sheet material  11 , being supported by the ribs/strut  21 , infolds between the ribs, when the ribs or struts are brought together, thus facilitating total closure of the canopy body  10 . 
     The canopy body  10  can be used in a number of adjustable positions starting from a fully outspread position, shielding the baby totally; or in a semi open position to a fully collapsible position, when the baby is fully uncovered. 
     At the same time, the amount of extension or out fold of the hood  12  of the canopy body  10  can be adjusted or changed from time to time as the rays of the sun or other factors may dictate. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment where the opening and closure of the canopy body  10  can be accomplished by providing a string  22 , connected with the ribs or struts  21  of the canopy frame  20  in the middle and having a locking mechanism to control the same. 
     One of the utilities of the canopy of the present invention is that it can be attached to any type of carrier and the baby can be placed in any position, be it facing the wearer or facing forward. 
     The flexible sheet material  11  of the canopy body can be attached to the flexible/rigid frame  20  of the body either by stitching, using laces or straps, when the material for the body of the frame, used is flexible. However, when the material used is rigid, it can either be glued or welded. 
     The frame  20  can be made of a flexible material like plastic, metal, composite material, elastomer and even wood. 
     In some embodiment of the present invention, when the material for the body of the frame  20  used is rigid, a special casing or housing for the frame can be provided for, to obviate the exposure of the frame. 
     As mentioned above, the canopy can be placed in a number of positions depending upon the position of the child and according to the environment. This is achieved by the presence of a plurality of attachment members  30 . These attachment members  30  can be in the form of spring clips, hook and loop fasteners, a hook, a locking clip or any other similar mechanism and straps  31 . 
     The attachment members  30  are designed in a way that they are able to link/attach with the varied carrier styles and in any place and position either with the carrier  32  itself or with garments of the wearer. 
     The attachment members  30  of the canopy body  10  are linked/attached at one end with the canopy body itself and the other end can be linked to any garment of the wearer or with the shoulder pad  33  of the carrier  32  or any other member of the carrier. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the attachment members  30  are provided with a strap  31 , wherein one end the attachment members  30  are linked with the strap  31  provided on the canopy body  10 ; and at the other end, linked with the baby carrier  32 , thus giving the canopy better functionality. 
     The provision of strap  31  with the attachment members  30  of the canopy body  10 , gives the canopy body the functionality of attaching to any type of carrier and in any orientation, thereby increasing its flexibility. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show embodiments of the canopy wherein the canopy body  10  is placed on a child carrier  32 , which is positioned facing the wearer. The canopy body  10  is attached to the carrier  32  with the help of a pair of two attachment members  30  on the sides of the canopy body  10 , which can be hook and loop fasteners, springing clips, a hook a locking clip or any other mechanism. The hood  12  of the canopy body  10  is positionable over the baby&#39;s head in the semi closed position ( FIG. 5 ) and in a fully open position ( FIG. 6 ). 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the canopy body  10  is placed on a child carrier  32 , which is positioned facing forward, wherein the canopy body  10  is attached with the carrier  32  with the help of a pair of attachment members  30  on the sides of the canopy body  10 . The attachment members can be hook and loop fasteners, springing clips, a hook a locking clip or any other mechanism and with a pair of attachment members  30  with straps  31  clipped at the back of the shoulder pads  33  of the carrier  32  wherein the hood  12  of the canopy body  10  is positionable over the baby&#39;s head in a semi closed position. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 10  wherein the canopy body  10  is placed on a child carrier  32 , which is positioned facing forward. The canopy body  10  is attached on the sides of the carrier  32  with the carrier shoulder pads  33  of the carrier  32  with the help of a pair of attachment members  30 , which can be a hook and loop fasteners, springing clips, a hook, a locking clip or any other mechanism and with an additional attachment member  30  with strap  31  clipped at the back of the shoulder pad  33  of the carrier  32 , wherein the hood  12  of the canopy body  10  is positionable over the baby&#39;s head in semi closed position. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention as described with reference to  FIG. 10  the canopy body  10  is placed on a child carrier, which is positioned facing forward. The canopy body  10  is attached on the sides of the carrier  32  with the carrier shoulder pads  33  of the carrier  32  with the help of a pair of attachment members  30 , which can be hook and loop and fasteners, springing clips, a hook a locking clip or any other mechanism and with an additional attachment members with strap  31  clipped at, with the garment of the wearer, wherein the hood  12  of the canopy body  10  is positionable over the baby&#39;s head in semi closed position. 
     The above description is considered for that of the preferred embodiments only. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which are defined by the following claims.