Infant Carrier

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant carrier of the type designed principally for transporting an infant in upright or sitting position and having shoulder straps for mounting the carrier on an intended user.

2. Prior Art

One type of known infant carrier includes an upright box frame supporting a fabric seat for an infant. Shoulder straps have their opposite ends connected, respectively, at the top and bottom of the frame for mounting the frame on the user, much like a rigid frame backpack.

In another type of known infant carrier no rigid frame is provided. Rather, the infant is fitted through the open end of a fabric bag with a flexible seat at or near its bottom. The legs of the infant may project through laterally spaced holes toward the bottom of the bag. Shoulder straps are connected at laterally spaced locations toward the top and bottom of the bag, and the infant may be carried at the front of the user.

With the known infant carriers it may be difficult to fit the infant in the carrier and then mount the carrier on the intended user, or it may be difficult to mount the carrier on the intended user and then fit the infant in the carrier. In addition, the known carriers are designed for one specific carrying position which may become awkward or tiresome for the infant or the user after the infant is carried for a substantial period. Further, a specific carrying position may be appropriate and comfortable for the infant and the user for a given weight or development of the infant, but may be inappropriate as the infant increases in weight, physical ability or activity level.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infant carrier usable for carrying an infant in a variety of different positions.

It also is an object to provide such a carrier which is comfortable for the user and enjoyable for the infant at various stages of development of the infant.

A further object is to provide such a carrier which is of simple, inexpensive, yet sturdy, construction and easy to use.

Another object is to provide such a carrier which may be folded compactly when not in use.

Still another object is to provide such a carrier which may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of users and infants.

The foregoing objects can be accomplished by providing an infant carrier including a length of flexible material, a set of long shoulder straps connected to the length so as to form closed loops enabling the carrier to be mounted on an intended user, and shorter straps which, in a preferred carrying position, extend generally between the opposite ends of the length to maintain it in return looped position forming a cavity for receiving the infant to be carried.

In the preferred embodiment, corresponding ends of the long shoulder straps are secured to the length, extend generally lengthwise away from an end thereof and have free ends which can be connected alternatively to connectors carried generally centrally of the length or connectors carried at the other end of the length. The short straps have corresponding ends secured to the longer straps and free ends connectible to the length by use of the connectors. Various interconnections can be used to provide different carrying positions for the infant, including a sitting position facing outward from the front of the user or in which the carrier is mounted on a chair, a sitting position facing inward toward the front of the user, a sitting position resting on the user's hip and a lying position in which the carrier forms a sling.

FIG. 1 is a top plan of an infant carrier in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan thereof.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic top front perspective of the carrier of FIG. 1 interconnected for one carrying position, with a user and an infant indicated in broken lines, and

FIG. 4 is a top rear perspective of the carrier in the same position.

FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic top front perspective of the carrier of FIG. 1 illustrating another use for the carrier when in substantially the same condition as that shown in FIG. 3, with an infant indicated in broken lines.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic top front perspective of the carrier of FIG. 1 interconnected for an alternative carrying position, with an infant indicated in broken lines,

FIG. 7 is a top rear perspective of the carrier in the same position, and

FIG. 8 is a top front perspective of the carrier, corresponding to FIG. 6, with parts in different positions.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic top front perspective of the carrier of FIG. 1 interconnected for another carrying position, with the user and infant indicated in broken lines, and

FIG. 10 is a top rear perspective of the carrier in the same position.

FIG. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic top front perspective of the carrier of FIG. 1 interconnected for still another carrying position, with an infant indicated in broken lines, and

FIG. 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic front perspective of the carrier in the same position, with a user and an infant indicated in broken lines.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of an infant carrier in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated length 1 of flexible material, such as fabric, having a "back" end 2 and a "bib" end 3. Between the back and bib ends the flexible or fabric length includes the generally rectangular back end portion 4, preferably of a width equal to or somewhat wider than the infant or toddler to be carried, a central or "seat" portion 5, preferably decreasing in width from the back end portion toward the bib end of the length, and the generally rectangular bib end portion 6 which, preferably, is of a width approximately equal to or somewhat narrower than the infant or toddler to be carried.

Each of a pair of laterally spaced flexible shoulder straps 7 extends generally lengthwise away from the back end 2 of the fabric length 1. Corresponding ends of such straps are sewn to the fabric length at generally the junction of the back end portion 4 and the seat portion 5. As best seen in FIG. 2, the opposite lateral margins 8 of the back end portion 4 are folded over the straps and sewn at their inner sides 9 to the back end portion between the straps, enabling adjustment of the longitudinal height of the back end portion by sliding the back end lengthwise over the straps and ruffling the folded over margins 8 as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 2.

In most uses of the carrier the free end portions 10 of the long shoulder straps 7 are connected to the fabric length at the base of its back end portion 4. For this purpose, suitable connectors, such as pairs of rings 11, are secured at the opposite lateral sides of the fabric length. Fabric loops 12 extend through the rings and are sewn to the fabric length.

In addition to the shoulder straps 7 which are provided for mounting the carrier on a user, also provided are shorter shoulder straps 13 for the infant. As best seen in FIG. 2, preferably one end portion of each short strap 13 is sewn to one of the longer straps 7 at a location slightly above the back end 2 of the fabric length in unruffled condition. In most uses of the carrier the free end portions 14 of the short straps 13 are connected to the fabric length at approximately its bib end 3 and for this purpose suitable connectors, namely, pairs of rings 15, are secured to the bib end portion by fabric loops 16 extending through the rings and sewn to the bib end portion.

In one carrying position, the "baby facing out" position indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier is mounted on an adult user U by looping the long straps 7 over the user's shoulders, crossing the straps behind the user's back and attaching the free end portions of the straps, respectively, to the pairs of attachment rings 11 at the opposite lateral sides of the base of the back end portion. In this position the back end portion of the fabric length lies flat against the front of the user. The free ends of the short straps 13 are connected to the rings 15 toward the bib end 3 of the fabric length which is looped downward forming a seat for the infant I who faces outward or forward with his or her legs straddling the seat portion of the carrier. The head of the infant is received between the short infant shoulder straps 13 which extend across the ends of the fabric length. The arms of the user are free and the infant has an interesting view of all that is occurring.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the same connections of the straps 7 and 13 may be used for supporting the infant on a high backed chair C. The straps 7 extend over the top rung R of the chair and are crossed behind the back of the chair and around its sides S to the attachment rings 11. The back end portion of the fabric length rests against the back of the chair; the seat portion lies on the seat of the chair; and the bib end portion rests against the front of the infant.

In the "baby faces in" position indicated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the connections of the straps 7 and 13 are the same as for the positions shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The long shoulder straps 7 extend upward from the back end of the fabric length, are looped over a user's shoulders and behind his or her back to their connections at the rings 11. The short straps 13 are connected to the bib end portion 6 at its rings 15. In the position of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, however, the bib end portion is looped inward toward the user and the infant conveniently rests on the seat portion 5 facing inward toward the chest of the user, which is a comfortable secure position for sleeping. For infants so young that their neck muscles are incapable of sturdily supporting the full weight of the infant's head, the back end portion can be left fully extended as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 such that the back end portion of the carrier engages the back of the infant's head. For more developed infants or toddlers, the back end portion can be ruffled downward to a desired height, as indicated in FIG. 8, such that it engages only the back or the back and the neck of the carried infant or toddler.

For the "hip" position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, again the long straps 7 are connected to the intermediate rings 11 and the short straps 13 are connected to the bib end rings 15. In this instance, however, the long straps are not crossed but rather each strap is connected to the pair of rings 11 at the same side of the carrier as the side of its attachment at the base of the back end portion 4. In addition, the bib end portion 6 and the seat portion 5 are folded against the back end portion 4 such that the infant or toddler is not engaged between the back end portion and the bib end portion. As indicated in FIG. 9, the carrier is turned sideways with the lower long strap 7 encircling the waist of the user U to the lower pair of rings 11. The upper long strap extends from the back end 2 of the carrier beneath one arm of the user and over the opposing shoulder to the upper pair of rings 11. In this position the length of the carrier extends generally horizontally around one hip of the user and, with the lower strap 7 pulled tight, the lower marginal portion of the fabric length forms a narrow seat for the infant I. The infant is placed in the carrier with his or her legs straddling the opposite end portions of the lower strap 7 and his or her head projecting upward through the loop of the upper long shoulder strap. Substantially the full weight of the infant or toddler rests on the hip and shoulder of the user but the toddler still should be balanced with the user's arm at the same side.

In an alternative "hip" position, the lower long strap can be wrapped over the shoulder of the user at the side opposite the infant-supporting hip along with the upper long shoulder strap, rather than being wrapped around the user's waist, forming a sling with a narrow seat for the infant. Nevertheless, as with the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the infant or toddler should be balanced with the user's arm at the side of the weight-bearing hip.

In the "cradle" position indicated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the short shoulder straps are left loose and the free end portions of the long shoulder straps 7 are connected to the rings 15 at the bib end portion of the carrier to form a sling for the infant which, as indicated in FIG. 11, may be laid face up in the sling with his or her legs straddling the seat portion 4. As indicated in FIG. 12, the infant may be supported in the sling at the front of the user with the straps 7 looped over one shoulder, around the back and under the opposing shoulder of the user. This position is convenient for nursing with the user seated or standing, or for a sleeping newborn.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the fabric length is about 28 inches (71 cm) long; the rectangular bib end portion is about 8 inches (20 cm) long and about 6 inches (15 cm) wide; the rectangular back end portion is about 14 inches (36 cm) long and about 13 inches (33 cm) wide; and the seat portion constitutes the remainder of the length and flares in width from the bib end portion to the back end portion. All positions shown in the drawings can be accommodated for most adults and infants and toddlers to about 30 pounds (14 kg) if the long straps extend about 36 inches (91 cm) beyond the back end of the fabric length and the short straps extend about 13 inches (33 cm) from the long straps. The lengths of the straps are adjustable to fit users and infants of different sizes, and the flexible carrier can be folded or rolled into compact condition when not in use.