Patent Publication Number: US-2006011681-A1

Title: Infant carrier support holder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Lifting and transporting an infant or similar carrier, especially when there is a baby resting in the carrier, is inconvenient at best and most often difficult. This process usually requires the use of both hands and, even then, transporting the carrier, which may be heavy, is cumbersome and awkward. The individual lifting and supporting a weighted carrier also exposes him or herself to back or other similar injury. Most significantly, there may be a danger to the infant if the user has trouble lifting the carrier and properly carrying it.  
      The prior art contains numerous user supported holders, ranging from those which carry tools, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,270,158 and 3,104,434, to those which carry sports equipment, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,963,156, 4,062,482 and 4,453,656, and even to a holder for transporting small animal game, U.S. Pat. No. 2,320,067. However, no support holder has been developed which is to be used specifically for assisting the user in supporting and carrying infant or similar carriers.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a carrier support holder which can be used to assist the user in supporting and transporting an infant or similar carrier.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier support holder which can be easily and simply secured to the user and to the carrier.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier support holder which is formed with separate components which both support a carrier and attach to the user.  
      It is still another object of the present invention to provide a carrier support holder which takes a great deal of the weight off the user while a carrier is being lifted and transported.  
      It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier support holder which allows the user to use one hand, freeing the other hand for carrying other items.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier support holder which significantly decreases the possibility of injury to the individual lifting and supporting the carrier and to the infant in the carrier.  
      These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a carrier support holder which consists of an integral, unitary member. The holder has a U-shaped component which is configured for placement over the belt or waistband of the user, a second, hook-shaped component extending outward for insertion into a slot, opening, or other convenient space underneath or on the side of an infant or similar carrier, and a third, curvilinear component designed to be positioned against the user&#39;s waist.  
      Novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the dependent claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with the additional features and advantages thereof, are beset understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is the front view of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is the rear view of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is the top view of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is the bottom view of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is the side view of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  shows the manner of use of the carrier support holder of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Holder support  1  of the invention is an integral, unitary body support component  2 , comprising U-shaped user connecting section  3  with inboard and outboard arms  4  and  5  respectively, and component  2 , curvilinear in configuration, contoured to fit comfortably against the waist of the user. Component  2  is positioned perpendicularly to and extends laterally from inboard arm  4  of section  3 . Outboard arm  5  of component  3  merges smoothly into and forms outwardly extending hook-shaped carrier support section  6 . Component  3  is designed to allow holder support  1  to fit over the belt or trouser&#39;s waistband of the user. The hook-shape of component  6  is designed to be inserted into a slot, opening, or other convenient open space underneath or on the side of an infant or similar carrier.  
      In use, holder support  1  is positioned against the waist and easily inserted over and secured to the belt or waistband of user  10 . When it is necessary to lift and carry an infant or similar carrier  12 , carrier is positioned and hooked onto component  6  of holder support  1 . This results in a large part of the weight of the carrier being borne against the side of the user, who can then extend one hand over the carrier to lift and transport it, leaving the user&#39;s other hand free. Another benefit of holder support  1  assuming a significant amount of the weight of the carrier is that the risk of back or similar injury to the user is reduced. The danger to the infant in the carrier is also significantly decreased, since the carrier is much less likely to be dropped.  
      When the carrier is transported to the desired destination, it is simply lifted up and easily removed from component  6 . Holder support  1  can then be readily removed from the user&#39;s belt or waistband.  
      While it is contemplated that the support holder of the present invention will be most helpful in supporting and transporting an infant carrier, the holder can be used in conjunction with any similar carrier which ordinarily requires lifting with two hands and has accommodation, i.e. bottom or side opening slot, or space to receive support component  6 .  
      Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.