Patent Publication Number: US-2010116856-A1

Title: Modular infant carrier apparatus and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
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     SEQUENCE LISTING 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a carrier for an infant. More particularly, this invention relates to an infant carrier that includes a sling that can be moved from one location to another, without removing the infant from the sling. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Slings for carrying infants are well known. Slings are advantageous because they are lightweight and usually inexpensive to manufacture. Almost all prior slings are designed exclusively to attach an infant to an adult. It is well known that it is often soothing for an infant to be carried close to the body of an adult. See generally William Sears, M. D. &amp; Martha Sears, R. N., The Baby Book (1993). It is therefore advantageous to encourage an adult to use a sling to carry an infant whenever possible. However, it is not possible to carry an infant in a sling at all times. For example, it is impractical or unsafe to perform some common household tasks while carrying an infant in a sling—including lifting heavy objects, cooking on a stove, or using knives, scissors, or other sharp tools. 
     Prior art slings typically hold the infant in position by partially surrounding the infant in fabric that is either worn by or wrapped completely around an adult. In some prior art slings, an adult first puts the sling on, then inserts the infant into the sling. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,469,259 (issued to Krich et al.) and 6,325,259 (issued to Tharalson et al.) disclose such slings. One disadvantage of such slings is that the infant cannot be detached from the adult without removing the infant from the sling. Removing the infant from the sling usually requires the adult to use two hands and results in the infant being jostled, potentially causing discomfort to the infant. A second disadvantage of such slings is that the sling cannot support the infant unless an adult is wearing the sling. If the adult wants to detach the infant, it must remove the infant from the sling and place the infant in some separate receptacle-often a crib, cradle, seat, or other device for securing the infant. The inability of the adult to easily attach and detach the infant undesirably discourages the adult from using the sling. 
     In other prior art slings, the infant may be placed in the sling before the adult puts the sling on, and the sling may be removed while the infant is still in the sling. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,757,925 (issued to Knittel) discloses such a sling. Slings in which the infant can be detached from the adult without removing the infant from the sling are advantageous, because the adult can attach or remove the infant with less disturbance to the infant. However, even prior art slings that can be attached to or detached from an adult without removing the infant have the disadvantage that two hands are required to attach or remove the infant. Likewise, such slings have the disadvantage that they cannot support the infant unless an adult is wearing the sling. Once again, a separate receptacle is required to support the infant when it is detached from the adult. 
     Other non-sling infant carriers that are capable of securing an infant in multiple different receivers are also known in the art. For example, there are numerous prior art infant car-seat carriers that can be moved back and forth between a car-seat base in a vehicle and a stroller base, without removing the infant from the car-seat carrier. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,783 (issued to Irby et al.) discloses such a car-seat carrier. However, a disadvantage of these car-seat carriers is that they are heavier than slings. A second disadvantage of such car-seat carriers is that, the carriers themselves must be large enough to surround an infant, and the receivers into which they are attached are also large. The receivers for such car-seat carriers take up a significant amount of space even when they are not in use. It is impractical to have multiple receivers for an infant car seat carrier in a small living space, such as a city apartment. A third disadvantage of car-seat carriers it that, although an adult may be able to carry a car-seat carrier that is holding an infant, car-seat carriers cannot be attached to the adult, so at least one of the adults hands must be occupied holding the carrier. A fourth disadvantage of car-seat carriers is that they do not hold the infant close to the body of an adult, so that the infant must be removed from the car-seat carrier if the infant is to be carried close to the body of an adult. 
     The prior art also includes some slings that can be removed from an adult and attached to a stationary object. Each such prior art sling has significant disadvantages. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,655 (issued to Parewick) discloses a sling-type combination child carrying and seat harness. The Parewick apparatus functions as a seat harness by removing the infant from the sling, attaching the sling to a chair or grocery cart seat, and then replacing the child in the sling. There are several disadvantages to the Parewick apparatus. First, to convert the apparatus from a sling to a harness, the infant must be removed from the sling. This results in jostling of the infant, requires two hands, and discourages use. Second, the Parewick apparatus can only be used to secure the infant to a chair, grocery cart seat, or other similar receptacle. It is not practical to have a large number of such receptacles in a small living space. Third, the infant must be able to sit up to be able to use the Parewick apparatus as a seat harness; it cannot be used by an infant lying down. 
     Another prior art sling that can be removed from an adult and attached to a stationary object is the Babykeeper 3-in-1 Hip Carrier, described in detail at www.mommysentials.com. The Babykeeper 3-in-1 is a sling that can be removed from the adult and hung over the door of public restroom or attached to a shopping cart as a safety harness. The Babykeeper 3-in-1 has several disadvantages. First, the Babykeeper 3-in-1 only allows the infant to be placed either in a grocery cart or attached to a door, such as a bathroom stall door, over which two large hooks can be hooked. It cannot be attached to a wall, ceiling, item of furniture, or stand. Second, an adult wearing the Babykeeper 3-in-1 requires a series of complicated steps to detach it from the adult and attach it to a door. The adult must use two hands to remove the Babykeeper 3-in-1 completely to detach the infant. Third, when the Babykeeper 3-in-1 is attached to a door, the infant&#39;s head must be in an upright position, so it cannot be used for an infant that is not yet capable of supporting its own head. Fourth, the hooking mechanism of the Babykeeper 3-in-1 is bulky and must be worn by the adult when the Babykeeper 3-in-1 is used as a sling. 
     There is a need for an infant carrier that can be easily attached to and detached from an adult, preferably using a single hand, and that allows the infant to be moved easily to and among different space-saving receivers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is set forth in the claims, to which reference should now be made. In one aspect, the invention provides a sling and two or more receivers. The sling comprises a tail portion that can be positioned between the legs of an infant, and two arm portions that can be positioned above the shoulders of the infant. At the end of the tail and arm portions are rings. When an infant is placed in the sling, the rings at the ends of the tail portion and arm portions of the sling can be brought together, so that the sling supports the infant when the rings are held together at a single point. A clamp is also provided to hold the rings together and to connect the sling to one of the receivers. The receivers can be a wall-mounted hook, a ceiling-mounted hook, a door-mounted hook, a hook attached to a heavy item of furniture, a stand-mounted hook, an over-door hook, of an item of clothing worn by an adult. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method for carrying and supporting an infant, in which the infant is placed into a sling. The infant is placed into the sling such that the sling&#39;s tail portion is positioned between the legs of the infant and the sling&#39;s arm portions are positioned above the shoulders of the infant. The tail and arm portions are connected at a single point above the infant, in a position such that the sling is capable of supporting the infant. The sling is attached to a first receiver, removed from the first receiver, and attached to a second receiver. 
     There are many advantages to the infant carrier and method disclosed. One advantage of aspects of the invention is that an infant in the sling may be moved from one receiver to another without removing the infant from the sling. This advantage allows the infant to be easily attached to and detached from an adult and attached to and detached from other receivers without unnecessarily jostling the infant or waking the infant if it is asleep. Another advantage of aspects of the invention is that the infant in the sling can be moved from one receiver to another easily, using a single hand. Another advantage of aspects of the invention is that the sling is lightweight, so that the sling and infant can be carried together without much more effort than is required to carry the infant alone. Yet another advantage of aspects of the invention is that the infant in the sling can be supported by receivers that take up very little space when not in use. Another advantage of aspects of the invention is that when the sling is attached to a receiver, the sling and receiver take up only a small amount of total space. In some aspects, the sling and receiver are supported without touching the ground and therefore take up no floor space whatsoever. Another advantage of aspects of the invention is that the infant is free to swing gently and soothingly when the sling is attached to certain receivers. Another advantage of aspects of the invention is that the sling provides a swaddling effect to sooth the infant. Yet another advantage of aspects of the invention is that a sling can support an infant in any of the disclosed receivers even if the infant cannot support its own head. Other advantages will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the sling of the invention in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the sling of the invention in an open position, in a top view. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the sling and clamp of the invention in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the sling and clamp of the invention, showing the position of an infant, in a perspective view. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the sling and clamp of the invention, showing the position of an infant, in a top view 
         FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the sling, clamp, and wall-mounted hook of the invention 
         FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of the sling, clamp, and stand-mounted hook of the invention 
         FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the sling, clamp, and over-door hook of the invention, with the door in closed position 
         FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of the over-door hook of the invention, with the door in open position 
         FIG. 10  illustrates one embodiment of the over-door hook of the invention 
         FIG. 11  illustrates one embodiment of the sling, clamp, and item of clothing of the invention 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a detail view of the front portion of one embodiment of the item of clothing of the invention 
         FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of the item of clothing of the invention, in a rear perspective view 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is illustrated by the following detailed description of a number of embodiments and aspects of the invention. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of sling  101  of the invention is depicted. In the preferred embodiment, sling  101  is a single piece of fabric. In other embodiments, sling  101  may be separate pieces of fabric sewn, glued, clipped, or otherwise attached to one another. The fabric may be any fabric capable of supporting the weight of an infant without tearing. In the preferred embodiment, the sling is made of a single piece of woven cotton. Woven cotton is advantageous because it is strong, lightweight, washable, and not prone to stretching. In other embodiments, the sling is made of any type of cotton, jersey, flannel, wool, synthetic fabric, any blend of fabrics, or combinations of any of these fabrics. 
     Sling  101  includes a tail portion  102  and two arm portions  103 A and  103 B. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , arm portions  103 A-B are positioned at a 180-degree angle to each other, and tail portion  102  is positioned at a 90-degree angle to each of arm portions  103 A-B. In another embodiment not depicted in  FIG. 1 , the arm portions are positioned at a 90-degree angle to each other, and the tail portion is positioned at a 135-degree angle to each of the arm portions. In other embodiments not depicted in  FIG. 1 , the arm portions are positioned relative to each other at any angle less than 180 degrees but greater than 0 degrees, and the tail portion is positioned so that the angle between the tail portion and one arm portion is approximately equal to the angle between the tail portion and the other arm portion. 
     Rings  105 A-C are attached to the end of each of arm portions  103 A-B and tail portion  102 . Rings  105 A-C may be made of any metal, plastic, or other material capable of supporting the weight of an infant without breaking. In the preferred embodiment, rings  105 A-C are circular, equally sized, and made of stainless steel. In other embodiments, the rings are D-shaped or triangular. In the preferred embodiment, each of rings  105 A-C is the same size. In other embodiments, the rings may be of any convenient size or shape. Rings  105 A-C may be attached to arm portions  103 A-B and tail portion  102  in any of a number of ways, including by a thread, fabric, adhesive, glue, or by positioning the ring in holes in the fabric of arm portions  103 A-B and tail portion  102 . In the preferred embodiment, flap  106  extends from each of arm portions  103 A-B and tail portion  102  through each ring  105 A-C, and is sewn back onto arm portion  103 A or  103 B or tail portion  102  to secure ring  105 A-C. 
     When sling  101  is in use, an infant is placed on top of the sling, in a position such that tail portion  102  is between the legs of the infant, and arm portions  103 A-B are above the shoulders of the infant. Tail portion  102  and arm portions  103 A-B should be of such relative size and position that the sling is capable of supporting an infant when rings  105 A-C are held together at a single point above the infant. In particular, arm portions  103 A-B must be sufficiently long relative to tail portion  102  such that the infant&#39;s head is held above its body and legs. If arm portions  103 A-B are too short relative to tail portion  102 , the infant will be held with its head below its body, which could undesirably result in the infant slipping out of the sling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a top view of sling  101  of one embodiment of the invention is depicted. To ensure that tail portion  102  and arm portions  103 A-B are of such relative size and position that the sling is capable of supporting an infant when the rings  105 A-C are held together at a single point above the infant, arm portions  103 A and  103 B are of roughly the same length. Arm lengths  201 A and  201 B are the lengths between the point at which the arm portions  103 A and  103 B, respectively, connect and the farthest point of rings  105 A-B attached to the end of each arm portion  103 A-B. Sling height  202  is the length between the point at which the arm portions  103 A-B connect and the farthest point of ring  105 C attached to the end of the tail portion  102 . In one embodiment, arm lengths  201 A and  201 B are equal, and sling height  202  is equal to twice arm length  201 A, plus or minus 25%. In the preferred embodiment, arm lengths  201 A and  201 B are equal and sling height  202  is equal to twice arm length  201 A. 
     The absolute size of sling  101  roughly corresponds to the size of the infant that the sling is capable of holding. In one embodiment, sling height  202  is equal to the height of the infant to be carried, plus or minus 25%. In another embodiment, sling height  202  is equal to the height of the infant to be carried. In the preferred embodiment, an infant of height 60 centimeters is carried, each arm length  201 A and  201 B is 30 centimeters, and sling height  202  is 60 centimeters. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , sling  101  is depicted in a closed position. In  FIG. 3  and the figures that follow, sharp angles are shown to depict the features of the sling in various positions. In practice, the fabric of sling  101  will be flexible and conform to the shape of an infant placed in the sling. Sling  101  can be placed in a closed position by bringing rings  105 A-C together at a single point. Clamp  301  connects the rings  105 A-C together. Clamp  301  can be any ring that can be opened and is capable of holding the rings together and supporting the weight of the infant without breaking. Preferably, the clamp is one of any of well known types of clamps that can be both held and opened using a single hand. In the preferred embodiment, clamp  301  is a carabiner. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, strap  107  is present. Strap  107  is a piece of webbing, cotton, or plastic that is attached at its midpoint to the midpoint of sling  101 , at the point where the infant&#39;s waist rests in the sling. Loop  108  is also attached to sling  101 , below strap  107 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , when an infant is placed in the sling, one or both ends of strap  107  can be passed through loop  108 , and attached to the other end of strap  107 . In one embodiment, the ends of strap  107  can be attached to each other by snaps. In the preferred embodiment, the ends of strap  107  can be attached to each other using Velcro. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, head cushion  109  is present. Referring to  FIG. 5 , head cushion  109  is positioned to partially surround the head of the infant in the sling  101 , when the sling is in a closed position. Head cushion  109  provides support to the infant&#39;s head to prevent injury to the infant&#39;s neck when sling  101  is being moved. Head cushion  109  may be made of any fabric that can be used for sling  101 . In one embodiment, the head cushion is a flat piece of fabric of the same type as the sling. In another embodiment, the head cushion is made of fabric stuffed with a padding material such as cotton or foam. In the preferred embodiment, head cushion  109  is a piece of woven cotton stuffed with cotton stuffing. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 4 , the position of an infant in one embodiment is depicted. The infant is positioned such that tail portion  102  of the sling  101  is between the legs of the infant. The infant is also positioned such that arm portions  103 A-B of sling  101  are positioned above the shoulders of the infant. When sling  101  is in the closed position, rings  105 A-C are held together at a single point above the infant. Clamp  301  holds the rings together. 
     Clamp  301  can connect to sling  101  to any of a number of receivers. Embodiments of receivers are depicted in  FIGS. 7-13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of a wall-mounted hook receiver is depicted. In this embodiment, hook  601  is affixed to wall  602 . Hook  601  may be affixed to the wall using any of a number of well-known methods, including screws, nails, mounting brackets, or adhesive. Hook  601  may be made of any material capable of supporting the weight of an infant without breaking. Hook  601  must be small enough to fit inside clamp  301 , but large enough such that clamp  301  cannot slip off of hook  601 . In the preferred embodiment, hook  601  is metal and is mounted by screws to a stud in wall  602 . Sling  101  is attached to hook  601  by hanging clamp  301  onto hook  601 . In an additional embodiment, a hook is affixed to a door, in the same way in which hook  601  is affixed to wall  602 , thereby forming a door-mounted hook receiver. In another embodiment, a hook is affixed to a heavy item of furniture such as a cabinet, armoire, or bookcase, in the same way in which hook  601  is affixed to wall  602 , thereby forming a furniture-mounted hook receiver. In yet another embodiment, a hook is affixed to a ceiling, in the same way in which hook  601  is affixed to wall  602 , but such that the hook hangs down from the ceiling and can support clamp  301 , thereby forming a ceiling-mounted hook receiver. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an embodiment of a stand-mounted hook receiver is depicted. In this embodiment, hook  701  is affixed to the top of stand  702 . In one embodiment, stand  702  has collapsible legs  703 A-C. Hook  701  may be of any type and size described in connection with hook  601 . Hook  701  is affixed to stand  702  either by fitting onto or into the top of the stand, or by any of a number of well-known methods, including screws, nails, mounting brackets, or adhesive. In the preferred embodiment, hook  701  and stand  702  are a single piece of material. Sling  101  is attached to hook  701  by hanging clamp  301  onto hook  701 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of an over-door hook receiver is depicted. In this embodiment, over-door hook  801  rests on top of door  802 . Sling  101  is attached to over-door hook  801  by hanging clamp  301  onto over-door hook  801 .  FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment of over-door hook  801  resting on door  802  when door  802  is open, without the sling attached.  FIG. 10  is a close-up view of the preferred structure of over-door hook  801 . 
       FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13  depict one embodiment of a receiver in the form of an item of clothing. Referring to  FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, item of clothing  1101  is made up of front portion  1102  and four straps  1103 A-D. Referring to  FIG. 12 , straps  1103 A-D of this embodiment of the item of clothing extend from front portion  1102  in an X shape. Referring to  FIG. 13 , straps  1103 A-D connect to back portion  1301  in an I shape to form the back of the item of clothing. Referring again to  FIG. 12 , ring  1104  is attached to front portion  1102 . Ring  1104  may be made of any metal, plastic, or other material capable of supporting the weight of an infant without breaking. In the preferred embodiment, ring  1104  is circular and made of stainless steel. Ring  1104  may be attached to front portion  1102  in any of a number of ways, including by a thread, fabric, adhesive, glue, or by positioning the ring in a hole in the fabric of the front portion  1102 . In the preferred embodiment, flap  1201  extends from the front portion  1102  through ring  1104 , and is sewn back onto front portion  1102  to secure ring  1104 . 
     In other embodiments not depicted in the drawings, the item of clothing may be any shirt, sweater, coat, vest, shoulder strap, belt, or other clothing item, to which is attached a ring capable receiving clamp  301 . 
     In another embodiment, the invention discloses a method for carrying and supporting an infant. In this embodiment, the infant is placed on top of a sling, in a position such that tail portion  102  is between the legs of the infant, and arm portions  103 A-B are above the shoulders of the infant. Rings  105 A-C at the ends of tail portion  102  and arm portions  103 A-B are connected at a single point above the infant. In one embodiment, this connection is made using a clamp  301 . Sling  101  is attached to a first receiver, removed from that first receiver, and attached to a second receiver. In various embodiments, the first and second receivers are any permutation of: a wall-mounted hook; a ceiling-mounted hook; a door-mounted hook; a furniture-mounted hook; a stand-mounted hook; an over-door hook; and/or an item of clothing worn by an adult. In the preferred embodiment, the sling is attached to a first receiver, removed from the first receiver, and attached to a second receiver all using a single hand. 
     The invention has been described in connection with a number of specific embodiments. However, numerous modifications, which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the invention, should now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and their equivalents.