Abstract:
The present invention is a carrier useful for supporting the weight of a child on the hips of a wearer. The child carrier includes a belt having an attached seat that is intended to be worn near the wearer&#39;s waist. A child may thus sit on the seat facing the child carrier wearer. In one embodiment, the rigid form is not removable from the belt pouch. In another embodiment, the seat includes a rigid form that is removable from the belt pouch. This structure allows for easy cleaning of the belt and seat pouch. In another embodiment, the seat is substantially rigid and includes one or more seat surfaces having a softer cover. This provides for a comfortable fit for the wearer and a comfortable seat for the child. In yet another embodiment, the belt is wide near the seat, effectively distributing the child&#39;s weight on the wearer&#39;s hips.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/823,642 filed Aug. 26, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for carrying a child, and more particularly to an apparatus for supporting the weight of a child on a wearer&#39;s hip. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0005]    There are many devices that have been used for carrying children. These include, for example, slings and backpacks. One particularly natural way to carry a child old enough to sit upright is to support their weight on the hips while they face the wearer. Since this stance may be tiring for the person carrying the child, devices have been developed to assist in carrying children. 
         [0006]    Hip support devices include rigid or padded seats for attachment to belts and integrated belt and seat designs. Each of these designs has problems. Thus, for example, standard belts are rather narrow and can result in large forces on the wearer&#39;s waist or hips. Many of the prior art designs are not comfortable for the child, while others are not easily cleanable. 
         [0007]    There is a need in the art for a child carrier that is comfortable for both the child and the person carrying the child. There is also a need in the art for a child carrier that is easily cleanable. Such a device should be simple and inexpensive, and comfortable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Certain embodiments described herein overcome the disadvantages of prior art by providing a seat that is worn on a belt and that rests on the hips. In one embodiment, the child carrier includes a belt that is adjustable and has a width that helps to distribute weight on the hips of the wearer, where the child carrier is useful for carrying a child in an upright position. In another embodiment, the child carrier includes a contoured member that fits within a pouch of a belt. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, a child carrier is provided that is worn around the waist like a belt. In one embodiment, the belt can be adjusted for a comfortable, personalized fit. The belt strap loops through a D-ring, folds over, and fastens with Velcro for a secure fit. The child is then placed on the hip seat straddling the wearer&#39;s hip with one leg in front and one behind. The hip seat provides ample cushion and back support for the child creating a more comfortable ride for both the wearer and the child. The child carrier can be constructed, for example and without limitation, of leather, jacquard, or denim. 
         [0010]    In certain embodiments, a child carrier is provided that is easily cleaned. In one embodiment, the child carrier includes a belt with a pouch having a removable seat form. With the seat form removed, the remainder of the child carrier may be easily washed. 
         [0011]    In certain other embodiments, the child carrier includes a belt having a pouch that contains a non-removable seat form. 
         [0012]    In certain embodiments, a seat form is provided for a pouch of an apparatus securable about the waist of a wearer and adapted to support a child. The seat form includes a contoured member of substantially rigid material, where the contoured member is adapted to fit within the pouch. It is preferable, though not necessary, for one or more of the surfaces of the seat from that fit against the wearer&#39;s hips or that support the child to be padded. 
         [0013]    In certain other embodiments, a child carrier to be worn about the waist of a wearer is provided. The child carrier includes a pouch securable about the waist and a contoured member of substantially rigid material contained within the pouch. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, a belt for a child carrier worn about the waist of a wearer and adapted to accept a contoured member to support a child is provided. The belt includes a strip of flexible material fastenable about the waist, where the strip has a length and a width, and where the width varies along the length, and a pouch supported by the strip and sized to contain the contoured member. 
         [0015]    These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by various embodiments of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a child carrier supporting a child; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child carrier; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a child carrier; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views of the child carrier of  FIG. 1 , where  FIG. 3A  is a view of the first surface and  FIG. 3B  is a view of the second surface; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of one embodiment of a seat form, where  FIG. 4A  is a view of the seat and  FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of the seat components; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4A ; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  are a side view, a top view, and a front view, respectively, of one embodiment of the seat form. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a child carrier  100  having a portion forming a belt  120  and a portion forming a seat  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , child carrier  100  may be used by an adult A to support a child C. In a preferred embodiment, belt  120  can be adjustably securable about the torso of a wearer, indicated as an adult A, such that all, or at least some portion, of the weight of a supported child C is transferred to the wearer&#39;s hips or legs. 
         [0025]    Certain embodiments will now be described in terms of a child carrier having a belt with an integrated pouch that is sized to contain a contoured member. The following examples are illustrative, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment child carrier  100 . Belt  120  has a first surface  123 , a surface  125  and a belt fastener  121  for adjusting the belt. Surface  123  is generally an outer surface of belt  120  and surface  125  is generally an inner surface of the belt. Seat  110 , which protrudes from belt  120 , includes a pouch  130  that includes a pocket  131  having an opening  132  and pouch top  133  that are sized to accommodate a seat form  200 . In one embodiment, the majority of belt  120  and pouch  130  are formed from a flexible material including, but not limited to, leather, or a natural or synthetic webbing, jacquard, or denim. Alternatively belt  120  and pouch  130  are formed from a single piece material, or are formed from three or more separate pieces that are either permanently or removably attached. In another alternative embodiment, pouch  130  does not have a pouch top  133 , and seat form  200  has a top surface on which the child sits. 
         [0027]    Pocket  131  and pouch top  133  may be separated or joined to close the opening using a fastener  134 , and a portion of belt  120  bounded by a seam  139 . Seam  139  is preferably a sewn seam or, alternatively, is an adhesive bond. The fastener  134  of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  is a zipper having a first strip  135  along an edge of pouch top  133  and a second strip  137  along an edge of pocket  131 . Pouch  130  and seat form  200  are sized such that the seat form is removable from the pouch and fits without much movement inserted into opening  132  and the pouch is fastened with fastener  134 . Fastener  134 , may thus be opened, as shown in  FIG. 2A , so that seat form  200  may be placed inside or removed from the pouch. Fastener  134  may also be closed while containing seat form  200 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Seat form  200  includes a rigid portion to hold the shape of pouch  130 , when the pouch is closed, to form seat  110  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . In an alternative embodiment, a portion or all of either pocket  131  or pouch top  133  is integral with belt  120 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment child carrier  100  which may be generally similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B. 
         [0029]    In child carrier  100  of  FIG. 2B , seat  110  includes a pouch  230  that contains seat form  200 . Pouch  230  is generally similar to pouch  130 , except that pouch  230  does not contain any fastening means for easily opening and/or closing the pouch. Seat form  200  may, for example and without limitation, be inserted between pouch  230  and belt  120  during the manufacturing of child carrier  100  of  FIG. 2B . Pouch  230  may be a single piece or may be formed from two or more pieces that are joined together and sealed along seam  139 . In an alternative embodiment, a portion or all of pouch  230  is integral with belt  120 . 
         [0030]    One embodiment of child carrier  100 , and more specifically an embodiment of belt fastener  121 , are shown in more detail in the views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , where  FIG. 3A  is a view of the first surface  123 , and  FIG. 3B  is a view of the second surface  125 . Belt  120  extends from a first end  301  to a second end  303 . First end  301  is adjacent to a first fastening surface  309  covering a portion  307 . A second fastening surface  311  extends from first fastening surface  309  towards pouch  130 . Second end  303  includes a rigid loop  305 , that may be, for example, a D-ring formed of a rigid material such as a metal. 
         [0031]    Belt fastener  121  includes first fastening surface  309 , second fastening surface  311  and loop  305 . First fastening surface  309  and second fastening surface  311  are matching surfaces forming a hook-and-loop fastener. Belt  120  is fastened by threading end  301  from the inside to the outside through loop  305  and placing portion  307  against second fastening surface  311 . While belt fastener  121  preferably uses a hook-and-loop fastener, as described, it may alternatively include other fasteners useful for a belt including, but not limited to, a buckle, snaps, or laces. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the length L of belt  120  is from 40 to 70 inches. In another embodiment, the length L is approximately 50 inches. The length LF of each matching surface  309  and  301  is from 10 to 20 inches. In another embodiment, the length LF is approximately 15 inches. The maximum width W 1  of belt  120 , which is in the central portion of the belt, is from 6 to 15 inches. In another embodiment, the width W 1  is approximately 8 inches. It is preferred, though not required, that pouch  130  is between the center and edge of belt  130 . The minimum width W 2  of belt  120 , which is near the ends, is from 3 to 8 inches. In another embodiment, the width W 2  is approximately 4 inches. In one embodiment, loop  305  is a 4 inch D-ring. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of one embodiment seat form  200 , where  FIG. 4A  is a view of the seat and  FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of the seat components and  FIG. 5  is a sectional view  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4A . Seat inert  200  includes a contoured member  401  having a top surface  402 , an inside surface  403 , and a bottom surface  406 , a top cover  403  on the top surface and an inside cover  405  in the inside surface. Preferably contoured member  401  is a rigid structure and top cover  403  and inside cover  405  are of a softer material. When seat form  200  is placed within pouch  130 , top cover  403  fits against pouch top  133 , bottom surface  406  fits against pocket  131 , and inside surface  404  fits against belt  120 . In addition, top cover  403  is shaped and sized to support the seat of a child C whose feet are in the direction of inside surface as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 , and inside cover  405  is shaped and sized to be comfortable against the body of an adult A wearing child carrier  100 , as in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, top cover  403  and inside cover  405  are foam pads of thickness t that are glued on to contoured member  401 . In one embodiment, top cover  403  and inside cover  405  is foam with a thickness t of from 0.5 inch to 1.5 inch. In one embodiment the thickness t is 1 inch. In one embodiment, contoured member  401  is a plastic including, but not limited to, molded polyurethane. While  FIG. 5  shows contoured member  401  to be a solid piece bounded by surfaces  402 ,  404 , and  406 , it is most important that the contoured member be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of a child without breaking. In addition, for use in a carrier such as child carrier  100  it is preferred that it fit snuggly within pouch  130 . Thus surfaces  402 ,  404 , and  406  may, for example, may be bounding surfaces of contoured member  401  which may include hollowed out portions. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  are a side view, a top view, and a front view, respectively, of contoured member  401 , showing one embodiment of the shape of the form. As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , bottom surface  406  includes an approximately planar base  601  with a depth F and a width D, a vertical surface  605 , and a transition surface  603  having a height B between the base and vertical surface. Top surface  402  has a curved shape from inside surface  404  to an edge  607  where the top surface and bottom surface  406  meet. Inside surface  404  is curved in one direction, with a height C that is concavely curved along width D and having a depth G. The curved shape of top surface  402  is sized to fit against top surface  133  and facilitates its use as a seat as, for example, by child C of  FIG. 1 , the curved shape of inside surface  404  is shaped to fit against belt  120  and facilitates its use as a support surface as, for example, by adult A of  FIG. 1 , and the shape of bottom surface  406  is shaped to fit against pocket  131 . 
         [0035]    The dimensions and shape of contoured member  401  are selected to fit a range of children and adults. In one embodiment which is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention, the approximate dimensions of A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are: A=7.5 inches, B=4 inches, C=5 inches, D=7.6 inches, E=8 inches, F=3 inches, and G=1.5 inches. As noted previously, pouch  130  is sized to accommodate seat form  200 , with fastener  134  long enough to insert and remove seat form  200 . Thus, for example, in one embodiment first strip  135  and second strip  137  are slightly longer that the length of edge  607 . 
         [0036]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
         [0037]    Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.