Baby Carrier

0001The following Non-Provisional Application is referenced back to Provisional Application Ser. No. 06597677 entitled “Baby Carrier”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention relates to an improved soft baby carrier in which an infant can be safely carried by its parent or fastened to a secure object. One of the many situations which a modern-day parent has to contend with is trying to manage everyday activities while also trying to care for their infant child. Many parents may find themselves in a predicament where they have to temporarily forego whatever activity they are currently engaged in while they tend to the needs of their little one, or vice versa. Various baby carriers have been developed over the years as a means of allowing parents to accomplish many of these activities simultaneously by providing a carrying arrangement attached to the parent that may allow the parent use of their arms to perform other activities as needed, while the infant is safely secured within the baby carrier. Soft baby carriers typically incorporate an arrangement of fabric or similar material that is formed to cradle an infant that may then be attached to the wearer. Some arrangements may be worn on the front, side or back of the torso depending on the design. Despite various improvements over the years, many soft baby carriers still lack ease of use and the ability to be adjusted quickly to accommodate infants and parents of different sizes and shapes.

0003U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,952 by Gold, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a soft-type baby carrier for supporting a baby in a rearwardly facing direction on the front or side torso of a wearer. The baby carrier includes an adjustable pouch shaped baby seat for supporting a baby in a substantially upright, sitting position, an adjustable waist belt and an adjustable yoke system for comfortably supporting the baby carrier about the neck of a wearer.

0004U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,076 by Bergkvist, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses pertaining to a child-supporting shoulder harness including a flexible front piece which is connected in the harness to form a child supporting pouch. The front piece includes a length-adjustable connecting device which extends between two horizontal, mutually spaced points on the front piece, so as to enable the width of the pouch to be varied. When the width is reduced, the lateral end-parts of the front piece are deformed in a way that reduces the wedging action between the wearer's chest and the baby's head and provides a comfortable lateral head support for a sleeping baby.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0005The present invention comprises an improved soft baby carrier comprising an adjustable shoulder harness featuring a detachable adjustable pouch system. The baby carrier may be worn or alternatively fastened to a secured object for supporting an infant. The detachable adjustable pouch system may also be detached from the shoulder harness and fastened to a secure object for supporting an infant.

0006In one aspect of the invention the adjustable shoulder harness may incorporate retractable shoulder straps disposed in the front portion of the harness that may be used to safely and securely extend the pouch system away from the wearer without having to detach the pouch or remove the infant. The retractable shoulder straps may allow the pouch system to be quickly and conveniently extended away from the wearer providing face to face interaction with the infant while also creating extra room for the infant to move. The pouch may also be retracted just as quickly into its original position once the needs of the infant are addressed or at such time that the infant is once more settled, allowing the parent to carry on with the task at hand. The detachable adjustable pouch system may form a seat for supporting an infant in a substantially upright seated position that may be adjusted to accommodate an infant of varying sizes. The pouch may be adjusted to fit an infant by utilizing a retractable drawstring system disposed in the seat portion and adjustable straps disposed in the side portions both of which may be adjusted to provide more or less depth and width for the infant. The adjustable pouch system may also incorporate the weight of the infant as a design feature of a fastening system in the seat portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a baby carrier.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an adjustable shoulder harness.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system exterior.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system interior.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is another perspective diagram of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to the shoulder harness.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is another perspective diagram of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to the shoulder harness.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is another perspective diagram of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to the shoulder harness.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is another perspective diagram of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to the shoulder harness.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to a secure object.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is another perspective of an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to a secure object.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the adjustable shoulder harness attached to the detachable adjustable pouch system attached to a secure object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0020It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following, more detailed description of embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, as represented in the Figures is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various selected embodiments of the invention.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> discloses an embodiment of the current invention depicting a soft baby carrier <b>100</b> comprising an adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> and a detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> in which an infant can be safely carried by its parent or fastened to a secure object. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> discloses an embodiment of the current invention depicting an adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b>. The shoulder harness <b>200</b> may comprise an arrangement of at least two adjustable straps <b>201</b> comprising two ends <b>202</b>, a front and rear portion, with a plurality of fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at the front portion of said arrangement. In some embodiments the arrangement may comprise at least two adjustable straps <b>201</b> that form a figure 8-shaped arrangement. The two adjustable straps <b>201</b> may comprise thick padded fabric of substantially equally lengths. The two adjustable straps <b>201</b> may intersect through an intersection <b>205</b> that may also comprises an appendage <b>206</b> attached to the intersection <b>205</b> disposed towards the rear portion of the arrangement that may be utilized to hold the shoulder harness <b>200</b> in conformity. The thick padded fabric may serve to cushion both the wearer and the infant while the intersection <b>205</b> may assist to hold the arrangement in place, providing both fit and comfort during long periods of use. The two adjustable straps <b>201</b> may comprise buckles <b>207</b> disposed towards the rear of portion of the arrangement that are utilized to provide slack or take up any excess slack in the arrangement such that the shoulder harness <b>200</b> conforms to the torso of the wearer. The plurality of fastening fixtures <b>203</b> may be disposed generally at the front portion of the shoulder harness <b>200</b> and may comprise male or female connections selected from the group consisting of plastic domes, metal domes, plastic clips, metal clips, plastic hooks, metal hooks or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment the plurality of fastening fixtures <b>203</b> may comprise plastic clips that may also be configured to complement the at least one fastening fixtures of the detachable adjustable pouch system (not shown).

0022Also depicted are the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> that may be disposed at the front of the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> comprising separate fastening fixtures <b>203</b> at each end. In some embodiments the separate fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at the end of the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> may comprise a means to enable each end to be extended or retracted. In a preferred embodiment the at least two retractable straps <b>208</b> may comprise nylon strapping attached to a piece of fabric <b>209</b> subsequently attached in the upper portion of the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b>. The piece of fabric <b>209</b> may be utilized to enable the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> to withstand the effects of separating from the shoulder harness <b>200</b> after prolonged usage. The at least two retractable straps <b>208</b> may further comprise a sliding padded rectangular fabric strip <b>210</b> that may be attached using loops <b>211</b> with stops <b>212</b> forming the ends. The loops <b>211</b> may assist to keep two retractable straps <b>208</b> secure while the stops <b>212</b> may prevent the two retractable straps <b>208</b> from disconnecting from the shoulder harness <b>200</b>. In some embodiments the fabric strips <b>210</b> may provide extra cushioning to prevent chaffing that may occur to an infant when the detachable adjustable pouch system (not shown) is attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b>.

0023Two small fastening fixtures <b>203</b> may be configured to connect at a lower front portion of the arrangement. The two small fastening fixtures <b>203</b> may be attached to elastic straps <b>213</b> that are attached at a lower portion of the arrangement. The two smaller fastening fixtures <b>203</b> may assist the shoulder harness <b>200</b> to conform better to the torso of the wearer and provide an improved fit. The two adjustable straps <b>201</b> may further comprise ends <b>202</b> with elastic straps <b>214</b> that may be utilized to secure any extra length of strap not being utilized. In other embodiments a bib (not shown) may be attached by plastic domes <b>215</b> disposed in the front portion of the shoulder harness <b>200</b> which may correspond to the chest area of the wearer. The bib may act as a shield between the infant and the wearer and prevent stains from lodging on the wearer's clothes.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> discloses another embodiment of the current invention depicting the exterior of a detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> comprising a front <b>301</b>, back <b>302</b>, side <b>303</b> and seat <b>304</b> portions. Each portion may comprise at least one fastening fixture <b>305</b>. The side portions <b>303</b> may comprise retractable straps <b>306</b> with fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed at each end. A retractable drawstring system <b>308</b> may be disposed within the back portion <b>302</b>. The pouch system <b>300</b> may comprise padded fabric in a generally T-shaped configuration. The front portion <b>301</b> of the pouch system <b>300</b> may be formed towards the bottom of the T-shaped configuration and comprise a forked portion <b>314</b> that may further comprise at least one fastening fixture <b>305</b> that complements the at least one of the plurality of fastening fixtures <b>203</b> located on the shoulder harness. The forked portion <b>314</b> may further comprise a retractable partition <b>307</b> comprising padded fabric that may be extended and attached to plastic domes <b>311</b> in an upper portion of the forked portion <b>314</b> or retracted and secured using another set of plastic domes <b>311</b> in a lower portion of the forked portion <b>314</b>. The retractable partition <b>307</b> may allow the pouch to extend to provide more depth in the seat portion <b>304</b> that may also allow more leg room for a larger infant and assist to keep the shoulder straps in place. A sliding fastening fixture <b>312</b> attached to a restraining loop <b>313</b> may also be disposed on the exterior of the front portion <b>301</b>. The sliding fastening fixture <b>312</b> may be adjusted to connect with the at least one fixtures <b>305</b> disposed at the ends of the retractable straps <b>306</b> disposed in the side portions <b>303</b> of the pouch system <b>300</b> to accommodate an infant and provide a better fit.

0025The back <b>302</b> and side <b>303</b> portions of the pouch system <b>300</b> may be formed in the upper portion of the T-shaped configuration and may comprise at least one fastening fixture <b>305</b> that complements at least one of the plurality of fastening fixtures <b>203</b> located on the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b>. The retractable straps <b>306</b> may comprise nylon straps attached to the back <b>302</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b>. The retractable straps <b>306</b> may also comprise fabric loops <b>211</b> that may be utilized to secure any extra length of the nylon strap not be used to secure the infant in the pouch system <b>300</b>. The seat <b>304</b> portion may be formed generally in the middle of the T-shaped configuration and may comprise at least one male fastening fixture <b>305</b> disposed on the exterior of said portion. In a preferred embodiment the seat portion <b>304</b> may comprise four male fastening fixtures <b>305</b> for connection with at least one of the plurality of fastening fixtures <b>203</b> of the adjustable should harness <b>200</b>.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> discloses another embodiment depicting the interior portion of the pouch system <b>300</b> that may comprise a padded fabric that provides both comfort and warmth. The interior may be sufficiently void of any sharp or hard objects and lay substantially flat for receiving an infant. The embodiment also discloses the retractable drawstring system <b>308</b> which may further comprise retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> that may subsequently be disposed within channels that form a generally V-shaped configuration. The ends of the retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> may be attached and anchored to the back <b>302</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b>. The channels may be formed to accommodate the retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> so they have limited movement in a selected direction. The retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> may be selected from the material consisting of string, fabric tubing, nylon strapping, or combinations thereof. The retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> may be attached at their ends to a portion of the back <b>302</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b> that extends to an opening <b>401</b> where a strip comprising a pull tab <b>402</b> is attached at the apex of the V-shaped configuration. The retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> may be pulled up to 10 inches in a downward direction towards the forked portion <b>314</b> of the pouch system <b>300</b> or alternatively retracted back to their original starting position. The retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> may also comprise strips of a self adhesive material <b>403</b> that begin proximate the pull tab <b>402</b> and extend up to 10 inches towards the back <b>302</b> portion. In some embodiments the self adhesive material <b>403</b> may comprise Velcro hooks. A corresponding self adhesive pad <b>404</b> may be attached to the interior seat <b>304</b> portion of the adjustable pouch system <b>300</b>. In some embodiments the corresponding self adhesive pad <b>404</b> may comprise Velcro padding. The back <b>302</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b> may also comprise an elasticized band that forms a pocket <b>405</b> in which the pouch system <b>300</b> may be rolled and stowed away.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> discloses an embodiment of the detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> depicting a fastening system <b>500</b> that may be utilized to adjust the depth of the pouch system <b>300</b>. The fastening system <b>500</b> may comprise strips of self adhesive material <b>403</b> disposed on one side of the retractable drawstrings <b>400</b> that may be pulled and folded back towards the back <b>302</b> portion to be affixed to the self adhesive pad <b>404</b> disposed in the interior seat <b>304</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b>. The fastening system <b>500</b> is disposed in the seat <b>304</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b> which may be disposed underneath the bottom of the infant and may utilized to incorporate the weight of the infant as a component to help keep the self adhesive material <b>403</b> and the self adhesive pad <b>404</b> affixed to one another. In some embodiments the fastening system <b>500</b> may also provide an extra layer of padding in the seat <b>304</b> portion.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> discloses an embodiment of the baby carrier <b>100</b> depicting the adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> secured around an infant. In a preferred embodiment the pouch system <b>300</b> may comprise padded fabric in a generally T-shaped configuration with the front <b>301</b> portion being disposed towards the lower portion of the T-shaped configuration which may also comprise a forked portion <b>314</b>. The forked portion <b>314</b> may be folded inwards towards the back <b>302</b> portion with the fastening fixtures <b>305</b> being disposed on the exterior of the pouch system <b>300</b>. The side <b>303</b> portions may be formed in the upper portion of the T-shaped configuration and may be folded inwards to intersect with the forked portion <b>314</b>. The embodiment further depicts how the T-shaped configuration may form the pouch system <b>300</b> that is utilized to support an infant. The side <b>303</b> portions may be used to wrap underneath the infants arms and around the torso while the fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed at each end may be configured to connect with the sliding fastening fixture <b>312</b> attached to the restraining loop <b>313</b> of the front <b>301</b> portion. In this embodiment the adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> may encapsulate and support an infant in a substantially upright sitting position that can be attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> or a secure object.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7-8</figref> disclose an embodiment of the baby carrier <b>100</b> depicting the detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> in a forward facing position where the infant may be positioned forward facing. In this embodiment the adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> comprising the plurality of fastening fixtures <b>305</b> may be attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> using the at least one fastening fixtures <b>203</b>. In a preferred embodiment the pouch system <b>300</b> may be attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> using twelve fastening fixtures which may comprise the separate fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at each end of the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> that complement two fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the forked portion <b>314</b> of the adjustable pouch system <b>300</b>. Two fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at the lower front portion of the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> may be coupled with two fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the seat <b>304</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b>. While two additional fastening fixtures <b>203</b> located intermediate the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> and the lower portion of the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> may be coupled with two additional fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed at the rear of the back <b>302</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b>. Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> which discloses a baby carrier <b>100</b> wherein the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> comprising separate fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at the end of the at least one retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> may be coupled with the fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the forked portion <b>314</b> of the pouch system <b>300</b> in a forward facing position. In this embodiment the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> may help to secure the upper torso area of an infant and prevent the child from falling out of the carrier.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-10</figref> disclose an embodiment of the baby carrier <b>100</b> depicting the detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> in a rearward facing position where the infant may face towards the wearer. In a preferred embodiment the pouch system <b>300</b> may be attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> using a combination of fastening fixtures which may comprise the separate fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at each end of the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> coupled with the at least one fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the back <b>302</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b>. The two fastening fixtures <b>203</b> disposed at the lower front portion of the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> may be coupled with two fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the front of the seat <b>304</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b> while two more fastening fixtures <b>203</b> located intermediate the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> and the lower portion of the shoulder harness <b>200</b> are coupled with the at least one fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the forked portion <b>314</b> of the adjustable pouch system <b>300</b>. Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> which depicts how the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b> may allow the pouch system <b>300</b> to be extended at least 2 inches from the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b>. This may be accomplished by utilizing separate fastening fixtures <b>203</b> that comprise a means to extend or retract the at least two retractable shoulder straps <b>208</b>, wherein the means may comprise one of the following consisting of a plastic sliding loop mechanism, a metal sliding loop mechanism, an elasticized member, an adjustable Velcro strap, or combinations thereof. The means may allow the pouch system <b>300</b> to be securely extended away from wearer without having to detach said pouch system <b>300</b> or remove the infant, while simultaneously allowing the wearer face to face access with the infant. In some embodiments the retractable shoulders straps <b>208</b> may allow the wearer quick face to face access to the infant in order to tend to the infants needs as well as provide extra room for the infant to move should the need arise.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11-12</figref> disclose an embodiment depicting the detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> fastened to the back rest of a shopping cart <b>1100</b> being disposed atop the seat <b>1102</b> portion of the shopping cart <b>1100</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> depicts how the side <b>303</b> portions may be threaded through the metal bars <b>1101</b> of the back rest of a shopping cart <b>1100</b> using the retractable straps <b>306</b> with the at least one fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed at each end. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> depicts how the at least one fastening fixtures <b>305</b> may then be connected to the sliding fastening fixture <b>312</b> disposed in the front <b>301</b> portion of the pouch system <b>300</b> such that an infant may be substantially secured. In some embodiments the fastening fixtures <b>305</b> disposed in the forked portion <b>314</b> of the pouch maybe connected together to prevent finger entrapment.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> discloses an embodiment of the baby carrier <b>100</b> depicting the detachable adjustable pouch system <b>300</b> attached to the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> in a forward facing position where the adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> may be adapted to attach to a secure object such as a high backed chair <b>1300</b>. The adjustable shoulder harness <b>200</b> may be adjusted to fit securely around the back of a chair <b>1300</b> so that the pouch system <b>300</b> may be attached to support an infant.

0033Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.