Convertible Child Carrier

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a convertible

child carrier, and more specifically, the invention concerns a child carrier which is capable of being interchangeably used as a soft, front-style carrier in one mode, and as a frame supported carrier in another mode.

2. Description of Related Art

The basic idea of a soft, front-style child carrier is well known. Current designs are based on the concept of a soft, comfortable fabric seat, with or without holes for the legs of an infant, with shoulder straps affixed to a part of the fabric seat. Such soft, front-style child carriers are generally limited to use for children ranging from new born infants to infants weighing up to about 20 pounds.

Frame supported child carriers are generally only useful for carrying larger children such as toddlers weighing 15 to 40 pounds. Such frame carriers generally include a frame bar which rests on the upper back or shoulders of the wearer, and to which the shoulder straps are attached. This type of carrier is limited to use for carrying more mature children who are self-supportive. Both soft and frame supported carriers thus have limited usefulness.

Child carriers often include a number of straps or other fasteners allowing for some adjustment to fit the size and weight of children to accommodate limited developmental changes, but conventional child carriers of either the soft, front-style or frame supported form are generally not designed to be transformable from one style to another to be useful throughout the growth period of a child, and for use with different ages and weight of children. It would be desirable to provide a convertible child carrier which can be used as a soft, front-style carrier which can be used for carrying an infant from birth, which can later be used as the child develops as a frame supported carrier, and which can be equipped with a stand, to be useful as a chair for the larger child. It is also desirable that a convertible child carrier should provide as much comfort and balance as possible in both modes of use. The present invention fulfills these needs.

The present invention provides for a convertible child carrier having an adjustable inner seat for receiving and supporting a child, to provide a range of depth of the seat for a growing child. An outer seat supporting the adjustable inner seat also includes a frame channel to receive a rigid frame and to provide extra cushioning. The frame may also include a folding stand pivotally mounted to the legs of a base portion of the frame and adapted to lock in an extended position, so that the child carrier apparatus may be advantageously set up as a free-standing chair.

Briefly and in general terms, a convertible child carrier according to the present invention comprises an adjustable inner seat; an outer seat carrying the inner seat; and a frame channel in the outer seat for receiving at least a portion of a rigid frame member, so that the carrier may be interchangeably used as a soft, front style carrier, or as a frame supported carrier.

In one aspect of the presently preferred embodiment, the outer seat of the convertible child carrier includes an upper portion of fabric which can be placed in an upright position to serve as a windbreaker in the soft carrier mode; and can be folded over to form a frame channel for the frame carrier mode. In another aspect, the convertible child carrier also comprises a rigid frame having a U-shaped upper portion of the frame adapted to be received in the frame channel. The frame may also include a folding stand pivotally mounted to the legs of the base portion of the frame and adapted to lock in an extended position whereby the child carrier apparatus may be configured as a freestanding chair.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example the features of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the convertible child carrier worn in the soft, front-style configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1 with the frame channel in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the child carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of child carrier in the backstyle, frame configuration;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the frame showing assembly of the folding stand;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the convertible child carrier in the back-style, frame configuration, illustrating the function of the backpad and upper frame;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the inner seat and headrest;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the child carrier illustrating the seat snap tab;

FIG. 9 illustrates attachment of the carrier seat to the upper frame;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the child carrier showing the zippered frame channel; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the frame channel of the carrier taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9.

As is shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the currently preferred form of the invention is embodied in a convertible child carrier having an adjustable inner seat for receiving and supporting a child in either the soft carrier or frame carrier modes; an outer seat carrying the inner seat; and a frame channel in the outer seat for receiving a portion of a frame in the frame supported mode of the carrier.

The upper portion of the fabric of each of the rear and two side portions of the outer seat may be unfolded and used as a protective extension of the carrier in a soft carrier mode, or may be folded over onto itself to form the frame channel in the frame carrier mode. The child carrier is thus convertible between front style, soft carrier, and frame supported modes.

With reference to the drawings, the convertible child carrier will be first described in the front style, soft carrier mode. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the convertible child carrier 10 includes a smaller, inner seat 12, constructed in a "sling" configuration, having an inner safety belt 14 affixed to the sides of the inner seat to accommodate all ages of children, and designed to wrap around the lower waist area of a child seated in the inner seat. The inner seat is preferably secured by adjustable straps 16 having adjustable component buckles 18 to the inside front 21 of an outer seat 22 as shown in FIG. 7, and is securely sewn to the rear inside portion of the outer seat to hang in an adjustable sling like fashion to offer a variety of seat depth positions for a growing infant. When released to its full length, the inner seat matches the depth of the outer seat. The inner seat and the outer seat are preferably made of durable fabric such as nylon, but could also be made from leather or plastic sheet material, or other similar materials. The adjustable straps 16 suspending the inner seat are also preferably made of durable fabric such as nylon, and adjustable in length by the component buckles 18. The inner safety belt is also preferably made of durable fabric such as nylon. Affixed to the back portion of the inner seat is a pocket 20 to receive a removable headrest 34. The removable headrest is used generally in the soft carrier mode to support the newborn infant which cannot support its head sufficiently at this period of growth.

Referring to FIG. 1, the outer seat 22 generally has a bottom portion 24, a right side 26, a left side 28, a rear portion 30, and a front portion 38. For convenience, a pocket 32 may also be placed on a side of the outer seat. The inner seat passes underneath the child and allows room for the legs of the child to extend through legholes 40 of the outer seat support.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, also mounted to the front of the outer seat, preferably sewn in place, are shoulder straps 42 to be placed over the shoulders of a person carrying the convertible child carrier in either the soft front style mode or the frame carrier mode. A first set of detachable extension straps 46 are preferably attached to the ends of the shoulder straps 42, preferably by component buckles 48, and have a length sufficient to wrap around the waist of the wearer in the soft carrier mode. The function of the first set of detachable extension straps is to function as a part of the shoulder straps in the soft carrier mode to lengthen the shoulder straps to a length sufficient to cross in back, and wrap around to the front waist of the wearer in the soft carrier mode.

As is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 8, in the soft front-style form of the child carrier the fastening of the seat snap 50 at the front underside of the outer seat, about the extension straps 46 at the waist of the wearer, serves as a means for engaging the outer seat to the extension straps at the waist of the wearer to prevent free swinging of the child carrier. The snap tab consists of two pieces of fabric, including a heavy duty snap, which when closed around the extension straps, serves to attach the extension straps to the outer seat at a central point. The weight of the infant at this central point holds down the extension straps and prevents the extension straps from "riding up" from the preferred position at the waist. The snap tab could also be constructed as a loop through which the extension straps at the waist of the wearer can simply be threaded, as a means to engage the outer seat to the extension straps at this central point. The snap tab holds the seat close to the body of the wearer to reduce side-to-side sway and outward swing of the carrier. The ends of the extension straps are preferably connectable with a side release buckle 44, or may include a "D" ring buckle to which the extension straps 46 may be tied.

The convertible child carrier includes a number of features which provide for the convertibility of the carrier between the soft carrier and frame carrier modes. As is shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10, the upper portion 52 of the outer seat may be left unfolded in the soft carrier mode to serve as a wind break, and may be folded over onto itself and zippered closed to form a frame channel 54 for receiving a portion of a frame member in the frame carrier mode. A heavy duty separating zipper 66 is sewn to the upper portion of the outer side of the outer seat with the two components of the zipper being spaced apart, in the preferred embodiment. The space of fabric between the two spaced apart zipper components is sufficient to wrap around the upper frame tube 72. When the two zipper components are zipped together the length of the fabric therebetween therefore forms a closed frame channel 54. The fabric behind the zipper is preferably reinforced with a semi-stiff underlayer 68 that resists being caught in the zipper when the zipper is being closed. Attached between the layers of fabric is a layer of a soft open-cell foam 70 to cushion the frame channel against the frame. The top portion of the outer seat, when not zipped, can be left in an unfolded, upright wind breaker position to form a protective extension against adverse conditions of the weather. A fixed channel of a fold of fabric which is sewn closed could also be used as a frame channel. The upper portion of a frame may then be utilized to form the frame carrier mode of the convertible child carrier by directing the upper frame through the frame channel.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, an inner seat cord channel 56 is also preferably formed in the fabric of the top sides 52 and back 30 of the frame channel portion of the outer seat. A connecting seat cord channel 58 traverses the top front 38 of the seat. A seat cord 60 circuits the inner seat cord channel and the connecting channel, and exits through an opening 62 at the back 30 of the seat. A sliding cordlock device 64 permits reduction of the perimeter of the seat. The purpose of reducing the perimeter of the seat is to bring the seat closer to the wearer's body to lend frontal support to the new born infant in the soft carrier mode, an advantage not possible with a fixed frame perimeter.

One aspect of the convertible child carrier of the invention is the capability of receiving a frame member for converting between the soft, front-style child carrier mode and the frame supported back-style carrier mode. Thus, the child carrier of the invention can be utilized for children ranging from newborn infants to larger, heavier children. As is shown in FIG. 9, a U-shaped upper portion of a frame 72 can be inserted through the frame channel 54 in the upper portion of the outer seat. The frame is preferably made of tubular aluminum, but may also be formed of tubular stainless steel, plastic rod or tubing, or other appropriate materials. The upper frame 72 includes a base portion 74 which may be simply comprised of an extension of the legs 76 of the U-shaped upper frame portion 72.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, an upper fabric backpad 78 including an inner foam layer is preferably secured between the frame legs 76 in a position so as to rest against the upper or middle back of a person carrying the child carrier in the frame style mode of the child carrier. In one current embodiment of the backpad, the backpad material wraps around the legs of the frame, and attaches around the legs by straps and Velcro fasteners (not shown) located on the backpad material. The upper backpad may include a storage compartment as well. The backpad cushions the wearer's back from pressure from the frame.

A lower connecting bow 82 also preferably extends across the lower legs of the frame in a similar manner to secure the lower legs of the frame together, and to rest against the lumbar area of the person carrying the child carrier in the frame carrier mode. The connecting bow 82 is preferably secured to the shoulder straps 42 with a second set of detachable extension straps 46' and matching component buckles 48 which are interchangeable with the first set of extension straps and matching component buckles, in the frame carrier mode. A waist belt assembly 84 is preferably sewn to the lower connecting bow 82 of the lower frame, and preferably includes a side release buckle 86 for quick connection and quick release of the child carrier. The waist belt 84 serves to secure the weight of the child at a height that transfers a large portion of the weight from the shoulders to the hips. The waist belt also helps to prevent any free swinging motion of the carrier.

As is shown in FIG. 5, the frame also includes a lower portion comprised of lower legs 88 which may be either an extension of the legs 76 of the upper frame, or may be joined as separate pieces, as in the currently preferred embodiment. The frame most preferably includes brackets 90 on the legs 88 of the lower portion of the frame, to which a U-shaped stand member 92 is pivotally mounted at the pivot points 94. The brackets are shaped so as to allow limited swivelling motion of the pivotable stand member 92, so that the stand can be locked in an open position. This allows the frame supported child carrier to be placed in a free standing position to serve as a chair. Alternatively, the pivotable stand may comprise separate lengths of aluminum tubing to form legs which can be moved into position individually to form the free standing configuration of the child carrier.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention offers a convertible child carrier which can be interchangeably used as a soft, front-style carrier, and as a frame supported carrier which can also be set up as a chair.

It is significant that the frame channel formed in the upper portion of the outer seat may be left in an open position to provide additional protection and includes an inner seat cord channel for adjustment of the perimeter of the soft-style carrier, while it also allows the carrier to be simply converted into a frame supported carrier by insertion of a frame through the frame channel. It is significant that the shoulder straps are attached to the outer seat in both modes, and that one set of detachable extension straps are connected to the shoulder straps in the soft carrier mode to serve as a waist strap and as a means for securing the outer seat via a seat snap, and that a second interchangeable set of extension straps are connected to the lower frame and shoulder straps in the frame carrier mode. It is also significant that the inner seat is adjustable to the full depth of the outer seat support, to provide a range of depth of the seat for a growing child.

This invention having been described in its preferred and alternative embodiments, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Thus, it should be understood that various changes in form, detail and application of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.