Patent Publication Number: US-2009224013-A1

Title: Portable infant carrier

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a portable infant carrier for guardians or parents to hold and carry newborn infants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device that is cushioned with a supporting back board or frame, elevated borders, and holding pockets. 
     Holding a newborn infant is a rewarding experience, but also quite challenging to people who are not accustomed to it. Infants are small and delicate and parental guardians, dads especially, are afraid of potential mishandlings. 
     One of the fears people who take care of a newborn infant is sensitive to the risk of hurting or dropping the baby. The hands of the grown-ups appear to be too large and clumsy to handle a delicate and fragile infant. Even the baby wrapped in a blanket is still small, and there is almost no right place to grip firmly. The lack of experience new parents or guardians face, coupled with the severity of a possible mishap increases the need for a solution that is physically and psychologically comfortable for the parent and infant. 
     There has long been a need for a safe, handy, convenient device for taking good care of a baby or an infant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been contrived or strives to solve the disadvantages of prior arts. 
     An objective of the invention is to provide a solution or mechanism for a person to carefully hold and carry a baby. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a solution or mechanism which is configured to provide a safe and convenient way to transfer a baby from one person to another. 
     The portable infant carrier for holding or cradling an infant includes a back board, elevated borders, an infant-holding belt and buckle, and a three-way holding pockets. 
     The back board includes a cushion with an inner core. 
     The elevated borders extend around at least a part of the perimeter of the top surface of the back board to form a secure and portable cradle. With the back board and the elevated borders, the portable carrier has been configured for use with an infant in the lay down position. 
     The infant-holding strap is configured to hold and secure the infant in place in the portable cradle. 
     The three-way holding pockets are attached on the bottom surface of the back board of the portable infant carrier. 
     The three-way holding pockets, which acts as a glove for the adult guardian or parent, is configured to allow easy transfer of an infant. The extra surface contact area allows one or two hands of one or two persons to hold the infant more safely and easily. The three-way holding pockets is configured to allow the simultaneous handling of two persons. As the first person still continues to hold the infant with one or two hands in one or two pockets, the infant can be transferred to another person with the second person inserting his hand into the other open or available pocket(s). The three-way pockets or glove allow for easy transfer without compromising the safety of the infant. 
     The infant belt and buckle secures the infant to the portable infant carrier. The belt is secured and buckled on the right and left sides of the carrier. 
     In certain embodiments, the infant holding strap may be used, which comprises first and second ends, and the first end may be fixed to a first portion of the elevated borders and the second end is detachably attached to a second portion of the elevated borders. The infant-holding strap may comprise a plurality of straps. The infant-holding strap may comprise Velcro. The portable infant carrier may further comprise a pouch or pocket for keeping the infant from falling through the infant-holding strap at a lower end of the top surface of the back board. 
     The back board may comprise memory foam. 
     The memory foam may comprise a plurality of inner cores. 
     The portable infant carrier may further comprise an exoskeleton provided on the bottom surface of the back board. 
     The portable infant carrier may have a general shape resembling an object, and the object may comprise a baseball and other sporting gloves, animals, and flowers, animated characters, and shapes. 
     The three-way holding pockets may comprise one or more openings, which may be disposed along a plurality of directions, and the plurality of directions may comprise a right-left direction, a bottom-to-top direction, and a diagonal direction. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a portable infant carrier for holding an infant comprising: a cushion portion configured to receive at least part of the infant; an exoskeleton for strengthening the cushion portion, which supports the cushion portion mechanically; a cover configured to enclose the cushion portion and the exoskeleton and to provide a comfortable contact feeling; a belt configured to hold or secure the infant over the cushion portion substantially in place, one or two ends of the belt being configured to be fastened or unfastened; and one or more hand inserts configured to insert one or more hands and hold the portable infant carrier, and secure grasp. The one or more hand inserts is configured to transfer the infant from a first person to a second person with ease, comfort, and secure grasp. 
     Each of the one or more hand inserts may be configured to adjust size of the hand inserts. Each of the one or more hand inserts may comprise a hook-and-loop fastener. The hook-and-loop fastener may comprise Velcro. 
     The portable infant carrier may further comprise two or more straps attached to a bottom surface of the exoskeleton such that one of the first and second persons carries the infant in the portable infant carrier on shoulders. 
     Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of holding and transferring an infant using the portable infant carrier of the above. 
     The method comprising: placing the infant on the portable carrier; securing the infant by belt and buckles or by attaching the infant-holding strap; inserting a first hand of a first person into the three-way holding pockets with palm facing the back of the infant; holding up the infant with the butt portion of the infant with a second hand of the first person; inserting a first hand of a second person into the three-way holding pockets with palm facing the back of the infant; supporting the butt portion of the infant with a second hand of the second person; and pulling out the first hand of the first person. 
     The advantages of the present invention are: (1) holding a baby becomes safe and secure with the portable infant carrier; (2) the portable infant carrier makes it safe and easy to transfer a baby from a person to another person; and (3) the portable infant carrier allows ease &amp; comfort during feeding. 
     Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view illustrating a portable infant carrier according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a back board according an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective front view illustrating a portable infant carrier according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a exoskeleton according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective side view illustrating a portable infant carrier having an exoskeleton according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective side view illustrating a portable infant carrier having straps to carry the portable infant carrier on the shoulders; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective front view illustrating a portable infant carrier according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective rear view of  FIG. 9  illustrating multiple-way holding glove; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a back board according another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective side view of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective side view illustrating a portable infant carrier having straps to carry the portable infant carrier on the shoulders according to still another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective front view of illustrating the portable infant carrier of  FIG. 9  along with a decorative pattern applied. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  shows a portable infant carrier according to an embodiment of the invention, and  FIGS. 5-8  shows a portable infant carrier according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective front view illustrating a portable infant carrier according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a back board according an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  is a perspective front view illustrating a portable infant carrier according to another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a front view of an exoskeleton according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  is a perspective side view illustrating a portable infant carrier having an exoskeleton according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a portable infant carrier  100 . 
     The portable infant carrier  100  for holding or cradling an infant includes a back board  10 , elevated borders  20 , an infant-holding strap  30 , and a three-way holding pockets  40 . 
     The back board  10  includes a top surface  12  and a bottom surface  14 . 
     The elevated borders  20  surrounds a portion of the top surface  12  of the back board  10  so as to form a portable carrier with the back board  10  and the elevated borders  20 , the portable carrier being configured to lie down the infant (not shown). 
     The infant-holding strap/belt and buckle  30  are configured to hold the infant in place in the portable carrier. In certain embodiments, the infant-holding strap  30  may be used. 
     The three-way holding pockets  40  are disposed on the bottom surface  14  of the back board  10 . 
     The three-way holding pockets  40  are configured to add more surface contacting area to one or two hands of one or two persons holding the infant so as to hold and transfer the infant more safely and easily. The three-way holding pockets  40  are configured to insert one or two hands of first and second persons to hold the portable carrier, and the three-way holding pockets  40  are configured to hand over or transfer the portable carrier from the first person to the second receiving person. 
     The infant holding belt and buckles or strap  30  may comprise first and second ends  32 ,  34 , and the first end  32  may be fixed to a first portion  36  of the elevated borders  20  and the second end  34  is detachably attached to a second portion  38  of the elevated borders  20 . In certain embodiment of the invention, the infant holding belt and buckles or strap  30  may be detachably attached to both of the first and second portion  36 ,  38  of the elevated borders  20 . 
     The infant-holding strap  30  may comprise a plurality of straps as shown in  FIG. 5 . The infant-holding strap  30  may comprise a mechanical fastener, for example, hook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro at the locations  36 ,  38 . 
     The portable infant carrier  100  may further comprise a pouch or pocket  50  for keeping the infant from falling through the infant-holding strap  30  at a lower end of the top surface  12  of the back board  10 . 
     The back board  10  may comprise memory foam so as to mould itself to the shape of a body shape of the infant. Memory foam, visco-elastic polyurethane foam, comprises polyurethane. Depending on the chemicals used and density, memory foam may be firmer in cooler temperatures and softer in warmer environments. In certain embodiments, the back board  10  may include other foams or cushion like material. 
     The memory foam may comprise a plurality of inner cores  16  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The inner cores  16  may be imbedded and disposed across the back board  10  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In certain embodiments, the inner cores  16  may be a whole plate. 
     The portable infant carrier  100  may further comprise an exoskeleton  60  provided on the bottom surface  14  of the back board  10  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The portable infant carrier  100  may have a general shape resembling an object, and the object may comprise a baseball glove, animals, flowers, animated characters, and shapes. The object may serve some aesthetic function appealing to the infant and the persons who carry the portable infant carrier  10 . 
     The three-way holding pockets  40  may comprise one or more openings  42 , which may be disposed along a plurality of directions, and the plurality of directions may comprise a right-left direction, a bottom-to-top direction, and a diagonal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings  42  open in the direction of right and left. The three-way holding pockets  40  may be made of fabric, leather, and other flexible material. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a portable infant carrier  100  for holding an infant comprising: a cushion portion including a back board  10  and curbing portion  20  configured to receive at least part of the infant; an exoskeleton  60  for strengthening the cushion portion  10 ,  20 , which supports the cushion portion  10 ,  20  mechanically; a cover  70  configured to enclose the cushion portion  10 ,  20  and the exoskeleton  60  and to provide a comfortable contact feeling; a belt or a holding strap  30  configured to hold or grasp the infant over the cushion portion  10 ,  20  substantially in place, one end of the belt being configured to be fastened or unfastened; and one or more hand inserts or holding pockets or glove  40  configured to insert one or more hands and hold the portable infant carrier  100 , and secure grasp. The one or more hand inserts  40  are configured to transfer the infant from a first person to a second person with ease, comfort, and secure grasp. 
     Each of the one or more hand inserts  40  may be configured to adjust size of the hand inserts. Each of the one or more hand inserts  40  may comprise a hook-and-loop fastener  44  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  7 . The hook-and-loop fastener may comprise Velcro. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the portable infant carrier  100  may further comprise two or more straps attached to a bottom surface of the exoskeleton  60  such that one of the first and second persons carries the infant in the portable infant carrier  100  on shoulders. 
     Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of holding and transferring an infant using the portable infant carrier of the above. 
     The method comprising: placing the infant on the portable carrier; securing the infant by securing the infant-holding strap; inserting a first hand of a first person into the three-way holding pockets with palm facing the back of the infant; holding up the infant with the butt portion of the infant with a second hand of the first person; inserting a first hand of a second person into the three-way holding pockets with palm facing the back of the infant; supporting the butt portion of the infant with a second hand of the second person; and pulling out the first hand of the first person. 
     Still another aspect of the invention provides a portable infant carrier as shown in  FIGS. 9-14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the portable infant carrier  100  for holding or cradling an infant includes a back board  10 , elevated borders  20 , an infant-holding belt and buckles  30 , and a three-way holding pockets  40 . 
     The infant-holding belt and buckle  30  are configured to hold the infant in place in the portable carrier. In certain embodiments, infant-holding belt and buckle  30  may further comprise a substantially triangular fabric portion  37 , which is attached to the belt or strap and configured to form two holes  39  for the infant&#39;s legs inserted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the multiple-way holding pockets or glove  40  may comprise one or more openings  42 , which may be disposed along a plurality of directions, and the plurality of directions may comprise a right-left direction, a bottom-to-top direction, and a diagonal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings  42  open in the direction of right, left, and bottom. The multiple-way holding pockets or glove  40  may be made of fabric, leather, and other flexible material. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention as shown in  FIG. 14 , the portable infant carrier  100  may have a general shape resembling an object, and the object may comprise a baseball glove, animals, flowers, animated characters, and shapes. The object may serve some aesthetic function appealing to the infant and the persons who carry the portable infant carrier  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portable infant carrier  100  is made to look like a big baseball glove. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.