U.S. patent application number 10/976614 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for baby/infant carrier for water use.
This patent application is currently assigned to AmazingBaby, LLC. Invention is credited to Bruck, Caroline Thelen, Bruck, Jeremy Alan.
Application Number | 20050076856 10/976614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34426341 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050076856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bruck, Caroline Thelen ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
Baby/infant carrier for water use
Abstract
A carrier for a baby or infant, especially for use in water,
includes an adjustable shoulder strap system for wearing by an
adult, which has a lower front terminus; and a basket seat for
seating the baby/infant, attached to the shoulder strap system
about its lower front terminus. A headrest may be attached to the
carrier, notably through the shoulder strap system and the basket
seat. The shoulder strap system can employ a criss-cross shoulder
strap arrangement through an adjusting member, which can evenly
distribute the weight of the baby/infant across the adult and
provide for secure positioning of the baby/infant in water, and the
shoulder straps and basket seat can be adjustable. An end of each
shoulder strap may be releasably attachable to the basket seat, and
provide for side entry by the adult. Various activities can be
carried out with a child carried in the carrier, even water
aerobics.
Inventors: |
Bruck, Caroline Thelen;
(Marietta, GA) ; Bruck, Jeremy Alan; (Marietta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher John Rudy
Ste. 8
209 Huron Ave.
Port Huron
MI
48060
US
|
Assignee: |
AmazingBaby, LLC
Marietta
GA
|
Family ID: |
34426341 |
Appl. No.: |
10/976614 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60523618 |
Nov 20, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/770 ;
441/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 69/0064 20130101; A47D 13/025 20130101; A63B 2225/60
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/770 ;
441/080 |
International
Class: |
B63C 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A baby/infant carrier, especially for use in water, comprising
an adjustable shoulder strap system for wearing by an adult, which
has a lower front terminus; and a basket seat for seating the
baby/infant, attached to the shoulder strap system about its lower
front terminus.
2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap system
includes two shoulder strap elements, each of which is attachable
about a first end of a respective shoulder strap element to a
forward portion of the basket seat and goes over one or another
shoulder of the adult, with the shoulder strap elements able to be
crossed in the back of the adult when worn, through an adjustable
stabilizer device, and able to be passed beneath the arms and
around the sides of the adult and attached about a second end of
the respective shoulder strap element to a rearward portion of the
basket seat; and the basket seat has a looped locking system for
securing the baby/infant in the basket seat.
3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the second end of the shoulder
strap element and the looped locking system provides for releasable
attachment, and side entry by the adult.
4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the shoulder strap elements are
adjustable as to length in a first portion of the shoulder strap
elements between the first ends of the shoulder strap elements and
the adjustable stabilizer device, and in a second portion of the
shoulder strap elements between the second ends of the shoulder
strap elements and the adjustable stabilizer device; and the looped
locking system is adjustable as to tightening of the basket seat
around a baby/infant when the baby/infant is seated in the basket
seat.
5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the releasable attachment is
provided by quick release clips having male and female
elements.
6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein padding is provided for at least
a part of the shoulder strap elements; and the shoulder strap
system and basket seat include neoprene.
7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein the padding includes providing a
wide soft shoulder strap element, reinforced with a strong web
along its length; and encircling padding around a front portion of
the shoulder strap element, which front portion is a strong web,
about or adjacent said first ends.
8. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising fasteners for
adjustment of size of leg openings for the basket seat.
9. The carrier of claim 2, further comprising fasteners for
adjustment of size of leg openings for the basket seat.
10. The carrier of claim 2, further comprising a headrest
attachable to the shoulder strap system and the basket seat.
11. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the headrest includes a
substantially flat, pliable body; a pair of horizontally oriented,
opposing straps; a releasable locking element associated with said
straps; and fastener elements for attaching the headrest to
fastener elements on the basket seat.
12. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the releasable locking element
of the headrest associated with said straps includes quick release
clips having male and female elements; and straps of the headrest
are adjustable as to length.
13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the fastener elements on the
headrest are fastened to fasteners useful for adjustment of size of
leg openings on the basket seat.
14. The carrier of claim 13, wherein padding is provided for at
least a part of the headrest straps by encircling padding around a
portion of said straps proximate the headrest body.
15. A headrest for a baby/infant carrier, which comprises a
substantially flat, pliable body; a pair of horizontally oriented,
opposing straps attached to the body mounted in an upper area of
the headrest body; a releasable locking element associated with
said straps; and lower fastener elements useful for attaching the
headrest to fastener elements on the basket seat.
16. The headrest of claim 15, wherein the body includes neoprene;
releasable locking element of the headrest associated with said
straps includes quick release clips having male and female
elements; and the straps of the headrest are adjustable as to
length.
17. The headrest of claim 16, having fastener elements on a lower
part of the body.
18. A method of carrying a child by an adult in or about a water
environment, which comprises: providing a baby/infant carrier,
especially for use in water, comprising an adjustable shoulder
strap system for wearing by an adult, which has a lower front
terminus; and a basket seat for seating the baby/infant, attached
to the shoulder strap system about its lower front terminus;
putting on and adjusting the carrier by the adult with its shoulder
strap system over the shoulders and its basket seat in front of the
adult; placing and securing the child in the basket seat; and with
the child in the basket seat of the carrier, preparing to enter or
entering the water environment.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein: the shoulder strap system
includes two shoulder strap elements, each of which is attachable
about a first end of a respective shoulder strap element to a
forward portion of the basket seat and goes over one or another
shoulder of the adult, with the shoulder strap elements able to be
crossed in the back of the adult when worn, through an adjustable
stabilizer device, and able to be passed beneath the arms and
around the sides of the adult and attached about a second end of
the respective shoulder strap element to a rearward portion of the
basket seat; and the basket seat has a looped locking system for
securing the baby/infant in the basket seat; and the adult puts on
the carrier through side entry.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein water aerobics are carried out.
Description
[0001] This claims benefits under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/523,618 filed on Nov. 20, 2003 A.D. The
complete specification of that application is incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] I. Field
[0003] The present invention concerns a baby/infant carrier, for
use in and around water.
[0004] II. Art
[0005] Parents continually worry about the safety of their children
in water and at the same time do not want them to fear the water.
In particular, it is very risky to take a wiggly, slippery
baby/infant into water while being held in someone's hands. It also
is hard for parents, who have more than one child in the pool at
one time, to properly tend their baby/infant in the water thus.
[0006] In addressing these issues, certain baby carriers for use in
water have been developed.
[0007] These, however, are not without their drawbacks. For
instance, known carriers of this type may be useful only for
larger, stronger babies.
[0008] As well, other front-position baby carriers known on the
market, especially those not designed for water-use, carry the baby
very high on the adult, around the chest region. If such a carrier
would be employed in an aquatic environment, for the carried baby
to experience the water necessitates the adult going into deep
water, which may be uncomfortable or dangerous.
[0009] It would be desirable to improve upon the foregoing art, and
ameliorate if not overcome problems associated with it. It would be
especially desirable to provide a versatile carrier for use in
water environments, which can be effectively employed not only with
larger babies but also with smaller infants.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In general, the present invention provides a baby/infant
carrier, for use in and around water, which comprises an adjustable
shoulder strap system for wearing by all adult, which has a lower
front terminus; and a basket seat for seating of the baby/infant,
attached to the shoulder strap system about its lower front
terminus. A headrest can be attached, for example, to the shoulder
strap system and the basket scat. Additional elements, for example,
toy rings, and so forth can be provided.
[0011] The invention is useful in baby/infant care and
recreation.
[0012] Significantly, by the invention, the art is improved in
kind, and one or more problems in the art is or are ameliorated or
overcome. For instance, the baby/infant carrier of the invention is
versatile, and can be quickly made to be adjustable to fit various
sized adults and babies or infants. The headrest can provide for
employment of the carrier with even small infants who have yet to
develop sufficient strength for control of the neck, in which case
the infant can be held safely facing the adult. If a baby does have
neck control, then the baby may face out, away from the adult.
Thus, as the infant grows and the headrest is not needed for
support, the headrest can be removed, and the baby allowed to face
out, allowing him to kick his feet and paddle and splash more
easily with his hands. This invention also allows the adult a more
hands free experience in the water as the baby is securely
positioned in the basket seat. The carrier can safely and securely
carry the baby or infant close to the adult, who thus has safe and
effective control of the baby or infant in aquatic environments,
and can accommodate an infant or baby, for example, weighing some
eight to thirty-two pounds. The carrier can also be used for
special needs infants or babies. The basket seat is beneficially
positioned around the adult's midsection to allow the child to
safely play the water. The adult enjoys significant freedom of
movement as well. By freeing up the parent's hands while securely
having the baby or infant in the carrier, the parent can tend to
another child without putting the carried baby or infant at risk.
As well, the adult can engage in other activities such as water
aerobics with the secured baby/infant and even another little
brother, sister, cousin or friend large enough to not require the
carrier. Thus, the invention can be used to safely take
babies/infants into water and significantly enhance the experience.
This water could be a pool, lake or ocean, tub or shower, and so
forth and the like, i.e., the aquatic environment. Although the
carrier is not intended to be a life-saving device or
swimming-aide, it conveniently provides for taking babies/infants
into water safely with an adult present, which allows the baby or
infant to be comfortable with water at a very early age.
[0013] Numerous further advantages attend the invention.
[0014] The appended drawings form part of the specification hereof.
With respect to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to
scale, the following is briefly noted:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view depicting an embodiment of a carrier
of the invention worn by an adult with a baby in the carrier facing
out or away from the adult.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front, exploded view of another embodiment of a
carrier such as generally of FIG. 1 but with modifications thereto,
and an accompanying adjustable headrest of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a rear, exploded view of the embodiment of FIG.
2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, showing
the carrier being put oil by a caregiver chiefly to illustrate its
side entry system.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, with the
carrier and the headrest assembled together and worn by the
caregiver and carrying an infant.
[0020] The invention can be further understood by the additional
detail set forth below. Such is to be taken in an illustrative and
not necessarily limiting sense.
[0021] A brief key to some of the features of the carrier
embodiments that are depicted in the drawings is set forth as
follows:
[0022] Number Feature
[0023] 1 Carrier shoulder strap.
[0024] 2 Shoulder strap center stabilizer.
[0025] 3 Attachment ring, for example, D-ring for hanging toys,
tethering pool floats, hanging towels or wipes, etc.
[0026] 4 Front, locking buckle especially for seat height
adjustment (locking seat height adjuster).
[0027] 5, 5' Baby/infant seat height adjustment strap.
[0028] 6 Rear, locking, adjustable buckle especially for shoulder
strap adjustment (adjustable shoulder buckle).
[0029] 7 Lap belt side-release buckle that attaches bottom of the
shoulder strap to a seat (caregiver quick release attachment
buckle).
[0030] 8, 8' Basket seat for baby or infant.
[0031] 12, 12' Baby/infant seat locking buckle(s).
[0032] 13 Loop or ring, which also can serve to hold belt, attach
toys, etc.
[0033] 14 Ring, for example, D-ring, for attachment(s) and/or
toy(s)
[0034] 15 Adjustable headrest attachment straps.
[0035] 16 Headrest.
[0036] With further reference to the drawings, the carrier
generally includes two main parts that are attached together.
Basically, the first of these parts is a fully adjustable,
criss-crossed shoulder strap system including shoulder straps 1
worn by adult caregiver "MOM" and which distributes the weight of
baby or infant "BABY" being carried. The second of these parts is
the basket seat 8, 8' in which the infant or baby sits.
[0037] The preferred basket seat 8, 8' is soft and made to be
positioned around the adult's midsection to allow the seated child
to safely play in the water. Advantageously, adjustment of the
system having the strap 1 with seat 8, 8' can be carried out
conveniently through front and rear locking buckles 4, 6. The child
can be securely positioned in the seat 8 with a double element
latching system 12 (FIG. 1) or in the seat 8' with a pair of
opposing double element latching systems 12' (FIGS. 2, 5). The
carrier can be designed for the adult caregiver to slip on the
adjustable shoulder straps 1 over the shoulders as one would
otherwise do, in general, with, but in a reverse type of
correspondence to, a backpack, and can include "side entry"
accommodation, for example, through employment of buckles 7. Note,
FIG. 4.
[0038] The carrier also can include or have available an adjustable
headrest 16 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5) that can be attached to the shoulder
straps 1 and basket seat 8, 8' as, for example, through straps 15
and two-element buckles 15F/15M. Rings such as shoulder strap rings
3 and seat front rings 14 (FIGS. 2, 5) and belt loops/rings 13
(FIG. 1) can be provided to retain toys for the infant or baby to
play with, towels for the caregiver to have on hand to wipe the
infant or baby, etc.
[0039] The carrier is made from any suitable material(s). For
instance, it can be made for the most part from water buoyant
fabric that allows the baby/infant to be more buoyant while in the
water, for example, neoprene, and may have nylon or other polymeric
webbing, and various types of stationary, adjustable and sliding
buckles and clips such as of metal or preferably plastic, for
securely attaching the carrier to the adult and securing the child
in the basket seat. Beneficially thus, too, the carrier can be
water tolerant, readily washable, and quick drying.
[0040] The shoulder straps 1 can be made out of the same water
friendly fabric as the basket seat 8, 8' for comfort, for example,
3-mm neoprene, and may thus provide pad portion 1P for comfort, and
may also include border binding 1B, which may be sewn on, to
protect the edges of the straps 1 and provide more comfort, and
nylon or other polymeric fabric webbing 1W, for example, 3/4-inch
or 1-inch wide woven nylon, notably the former, the same size and
style of webbing that can be employed in other areas of the
carrier, for added strength and safety. The back, shoulder and
upper chest part can have the shoulder straps 1 as padded shoulder
straps, for example, wider than the webbing 1W, say, about from two
to three inches wide, e.g., about 6.5 mm wide, which can be sewn to
the webbing 1W by stitching 1S, and arranged in a criss-cross
layout, along with an ergonomic, plastic center stabilizer 2 in a
form of an X-shaped member inside and connected to the corners of a
flat, open square like member, the same preferably of one unified
piece, which allows the weight of the baby/infant to be distributed
more evenly and engenders less strain on the adult's shoulders.
This provides for more comfort in carrying the baby/infant and
better positioning for the child. Both shoulder straps 1 can have
adjustable buckles 6, which enable the criss-cross stabilizer 2 to
adjust the carrier for widespread use no matter the size of the
adult in general. Each adjustable buckle 6 can be sewn on the
shoulder strap 1 through its upper portion 1U by stitching 1S to
form a loop that loops around a buckle strut, as is known in the
art, with the other end of the upper portion 1U connecting to the
buckle 4 through front web loop 1L. Thus, the front upper part 1U
of the straps 1 connect through the front buckles 4, for example,
Mako Ladderloc buckles by ITWNexus, with the intermediate strap
lengths 5, 5' connecting to the seat 8, 8'. These lengths 5, 5' can
be made of or include the above noted 3/4-inch or 1-inch webbing
material and may have such webbing 5W encircled by 3-mm thick
neoprene padding 5P (FIGS. 2-5). The bottom of the nylon webbing
lengths 5, 5'/5W that attaches to the part 4 is attached, for
example, sewn, into the basket seat 8, 8'. Just above the part 4
can be provided the rings 3, for example, D-rings, which can be
employed for attaching a water float for an older, accompanying
child to tether the float and older child to the caregiver, and so
forth. The rear part 1R of the strap slides through the rear buckle
6, for example, a larger sized version of the Mako Ladderloc
buckles 4, on an upper portion of the strap 1R, and the effective
length of the strap part 1R between the buckle 6 and the caregiver
quick release attachment buckle 7 is adjustable thereby. Male
buckle part 7M is attached to the rear part 1R through another loop
1L of the webbing 1W around a strut of the part 7M. The part 7M can
be inserted into receiving female buckle part 7F, which can be
attached to the seat 8, 8' such as through loop 7L of webbing
around a strut of the part 7F, for attachment of the strap 1 to the
rear of the seat 8, 8'. Preferably, thus, the rear ends 1R of the
shoulder straps 1 pass around from the back to the front of the
caregiver and attach to the seat 8, 8' using the buckles 7, which
can be pivotable and side-releasable. The carrier employs direct
attachment of the strap 1/1R to the seat 8, 8' through the buckles
7. One of the buckles 7 could be eliminated as by sewing one end 1R
to the rear of the seat 8, 8' and still provide for
side-releasability and entry as well as direct attachment of the
strap 1/1R to the seat 8, 8'; however, only one side of the carrier
would be available for release and entry thus. And so, the seat 8,
8' can provide for full adjustment for different sized adults.
[0041] The child is held securely in the carrier in the basket seat
8, 8'. Webbing 8W such as of the aforementioned 3/4-inch or 1-inch
wide woven nylon, notably, again, the 3/4-inch size, can be used in
different areas of the seat 8, 8' as a weight-bearing stabilizer.
Since the carrier beneficially can hold children of various sizes,
say, from eight to thirty-two pounds, the basket seat 8, 8' has an
adjustable locking enclosure system to comfortably yet securely
cinch around the baby, much the way a belt on a pair of pants
cinches down or a diaper cinches down on a baby. Border binding 8B,
which can be sewn on for comfort and durability similar to the
binding 1B, can be provided. As best seen in FIG. 2, a seat such as
the seat 8' when not secured laterally can open to form a pair of
opposing flaps 8F so that the infant or baby can be placed in the
seat 8' with greater ease. These flaps 8F fold over to the front
when the seat 8' is laterally snugged up through buckling with the
buckles 12'. A seat such as the seat 8' can be provided with infant
leg opening snap strap systems having leg opening straps 8L, rear
stowage snaps 8R, and front operational snaps 8S. For a larger
baby, the straps 8L can be snapped into the rear straps 8R or even
left dangling so as to leave the maximum sized opening for the
baby's legs when sitting in the seat 8'. For a smaller baby, the
straps 8L can be snapped into the front snaps 8S to provide for a
smaller opening for his smaller legs. A plurality of operational
snaps such as the snaps 8S may be provided to accommodate the legs
of various sized infants in the seat 8'.
[0042] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a looped locking
system includes the seat 8, the rear of which can have encircling
webbing such as the 3/4-inch or 1-inch woven nylon webbing
attached, and includes adjusting straps 12W for the locking buckle
12, which can be sewn or otherwise attached onto the front sides of
the seat 8 and may pass through the loop or ring 13 on each front
side. Each part of the buckle 12 can clip together through
cooperation of a male element and a female element. To create a
tight secure fit around the child, the ends of the nylon webbing
12W, each having its respective buckle component, are pulled so
that the fit of the basket seat 8 is tight enough to hold the child
in place. If the child is facing out, the side release buckle 12
will be across a baby's waist. If an infant is facing in or towards
the adult, the side release buckle 12 will be across the lower to
mid back. The headrest 16 is beneficially also used in this
rear-facing position. A side or laterally directed release type of
buckle 12 is advantageously employed because it would be extremely
difficult for a small baby's fingers to release the buckle 12,
which could put the child in danger, and it is not so difficult to
unfasten that the adult could not release the baby in an emergency
situation.
[0043] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-5, a looped locking
system includes the seat 8' with its horizontal nylon web 8W, which
can be sewn for its length along the rear of the seat 8' to that
part of the web that can be considered the ends of the web 8W, each
of which can pass under vertical web reinforcement length 8R sewn
on what may be considered to be extremities or flaps 8F of the
unlocked seat 8'. The reinforcement 8R can be an extension of the
strap 5' in the front, which may be folded to the back of the flap
81F and sewn there along with the front portion of the
reinforcement length 8R. The web 8W can continue under the
reinforcement length 8R or end there. When continuing under and
through the reinforcement 8R its ends can form loose locking straps
12W, each of which including a fastening element, for example, male
element 12M for insertion into corresponding female element 12F
that form the baby/infant seat locking buckle 12', which forms a
side or laterally releasing buckle system with its attendant
advantages. Two male-female element pairs are preferably employed,
one attached on the left side and one attached on the right side of
a central reinforcement web 12R, which, for example, can be an
about 2-inch wide (vertical height when sewn onto the front of the
seat 8') woven nylon web about three to 31/2 inches, say, about
31/4 inches in length (horizontal distance when sewn onto the front
of the seat 8') that is sewn onto the outside front of the seat 8'.
Each female element 12F can have its insertion body secured further
by having a back fastening member (not illustrated) backing the
insertion body on the inside of the front of the seat 8' as is
known in the art. When the buckles 12' are locked, depending on the
size of the child carried in the seat 8', the flap portions 8F are
drawn in toward the center of the seat 8' and its buckles 12' by
folding, and the nylon web straps 12W, each of which are looped
over and through a strut on a receiving structure of the male
element 12M as is known in the art, can be adjusted to snug up the
straps 12W. With tightening of the straps 12W, the child is secured
about his midsection or chest in the seat 8', with additional
security and strength for this provided by the strap 8W. The rings
14, for example, each a D-ring, can be used to hang toys, etc. The
headrest 16 can be employed to great advantage and benefit with the
seat 8'.
[0044] The carrier is designed for small children with and without
neck control. For infants or other special needs children who do
not have neck control, the headrest 16 can be attached to the
carrier, especially with the embellished carrier seat 8'. The
headrest 16 could also be used for times when the baby is to face
the adult for a greater bonding experience through eye-to-eye,
direct voice, and front tactile contact. If an infant has little or
no neck control, since his head tends to flop around, a headrest
can have built-in neck stabilization on the face of the headrest to
help stabilize the infant's head, or, preferably, as with a
headrest such as the headrest 16 can intrinsically provide for some
side to side head support by being flexible and having less pliable
support outside the boundaries of the infant's head, which rests
thereon.
[0045] The headrest 16 is preferably made of a substantially flat,
soft yet supportive body such as of a textile material and/or foam,
for example, neoprene, say, with an about 6-mm or 7-mm thickness,
notably the former, and be of any suitable horizontal and vertical
dimensions, for example, about nine inches wide by about thirteen
inches high, in general. The headrest 16 can have sewn cloth
binding border 16B, which can make for increased comfort and
durability; quick fastening straps 16Q and snaps 16S on the bottom
portion of the body of the headrest 16, with the snaps 16S on the
straps 16Q for fastening to the snaps 8S on the body of the seat 8'
when the headrest 16 is installed but otherwise connectable, if
desired, to the snaps 16S on the body of the headrest 16 for tidy
and secure stowage; and 3/4-inch or 1-inch wide, notably the
former, woven nylon webbing 16W that has two ends, each of which
form a loop 16L sewn around a looping strut on female clip element
15F as is known in the art. The webbing 16W can be sewn on through
stitches 16T. The headrest 16 includes a pair of upper securing
straps 15 that include, for example, sewn on 3/4-inch or 1-inch
wide, notably, again, the former, woven nylon webbing 15W, each
distal end of which has a loop 15L sewn around a looping strut on a
male clip element 15M as is known in the art. Padding 15P, for
example, 3-mm thick neoprene, can encircle the proximal, fixed
portion of each strap 15 around the webbing 15W, and be sewn to the
body of the headrest 16 by its border 16B, to provide for increased
comfort when the headrest 16 is installed, as well as increased
durability.
[0046] For proper use with a baby, the caregiver places her arms
through the shoulder straps 1 and ensures that the shoulder strap
center stabilizer 2 is located in her central back region. The
caregiver then ensures that the attachment buckles 6 are snapped
and the straps 1 adjusted about the buckles 6 for a snug,
comfortable fit without, however, restricting movement. Next, the
caregiver centers the carrier on her chest and verifies that all
buckles 4, 6 are clipped and straps 1 are snug. The caregiver now
unbuckles the baby seat locking buckle(s) 12, 12' so that the
infant or baby can be placed in the basket seat 8, 8'. Placing the
baby or infant in the seat 8, 8' is easiest when the straps 12W
attached to the buckle(s) 12, 12' are loosened, and afterwards
these can be pulled tight after the child is positioned in the
basket 8, 8'. Presuming in this instance that the child will face
out, the caregiver places the child in the basket seat 8, 8',
facing away from the caregiver, and clips the baby seat locking
buckle(s) 12, 12'. This can be done while sitting or standing as
long as proper care is taken to support the child while he is
inserted into the basket 8, 8'. Experience has shown that it is
easiest to put the baby or infant in the seat 8, 8' while either
standing up or using a counter or table to place the baby into the
basket seat 8, 8', or sitting down in a chair where the child will
end up sitting in the basket 8, 8' in the caregiver's lap.
Typically, if the child is twelve pounds or under, with a basket
seat such as the seat 8', the leg opening straps 8L must be snapped
to the respective front snaps 8S, which makes the leg openings for
the child smaller. Use of the straps 8L with the snaps 8S is
discontinued when the opening becomes too tight around the baby's
legs. When the straps 8L are not in use, they may be snapped on the
back of a basket such as the basket 8'. The baby's arms are placed
and should remain behind the front seat height adjustment straps 5,
5'. The straps 5, 5' can be adjusted so that, if the carrier is
employed in water, the child sits high enough in the water so that
at no time will he be face-deep in the water. Next, the caregiver
verifies that the baby seat locking buckle(s) 12, 12' are clipped
and the webbing 12W is adjusted for a snug fit around the baby. The
buckle 12 or the two seat locking buckles 12' with webbing 12W
should provide enough snugness to safely hold the child, but not
too tight to cut off his circulation. Prior to further using the
carrier, the caregiver again verifies that all straps are snug, all
buckles clipped, and any snaps snapped. The caregiver also verifies
that the child is comfortable and can move his extremities without
restriction. The caregiver will want to ensure that the locking
seat height adjusters 4 for the baby/infant are adjusted so that
the child is correctly positioned in the water. The child should be
low enough to be in the water and buoyant, but not be able to have
his face placed in the water. Chest level for the baby is the
recommended maximum depth.
[0047] Installation of the headrest 16 can be carried out readily
as well. Exemplary of this is installation of the headrest 16 into
the seat 8'. The first step is to insert the bottom of the headrest
16 into the baby basket seat 8' so that the bottom of the headrest
16 with its snap straps 16Q generally lines up with where the snap
straps 8L/8S are located. The snap strap 8L with its carried snap
8S is then snapped onto the snap 16S on the body of the headrest
16, and the snap strap 16Q with its carried snap 16S is snapped
onto the snap 8S on the front of the baby basket 8'. The headrest
16 is snapped on both leg hole openings. The caregiver then places
the baby/infant into the basket seat 8', facing towards the
caregiver, and clips the baby seat locking buckle elements 12F/12M
on the front of the seat 8'. It is recommended that the caregiver
sits down while placing the child into the baby basket 8'. Once the
child is inserted into the baby basket 8' and the front basket
buckles 12' are buckled and webs 12W tightened, the headrest buckle
elements 15F/15M are clipped together with each web 15W forming a
loop around its corresponding strap section 5'. Note, FIG. 5.
[0048] Some key differences of the baby/infant carrier of the
invention compared to other known baby/infant carriers include the
following:
[0049] The invention is for use in an aquatic environment. All of
the materials, from buckles to material choice, are beneficially
water friendly and non-corrosive.
[0050] The baby or infant can face either away from or towards the
adult. This can be accomplished or facilitated with the assistance
of a removable headrest.
[0051] The built in headrest provides for "flop control" for the
children without neck control.
[0052] The carrier can distribute the load of the child evenly
across the upper area of the adult.
[0053] This invention places the child lower on the adult. This
allows the child and adult to be safer because the adult does not
have to enter the water too far to allow the child to be in it. It
also allows the baby to kick his feet and paddle with his arms.
[0054] Not only is the child held more securely and comfortably,
the adult is more free to move easily, so easily and naturally, in
fact, that, as the adult and carried child move together, such
activities as water aerobics by a mother and her child carried in
the carrier can be beneficially carried out.
[0055] Since children love to play, the carrier has toy attachments
that are in safe positions for the child as well as the adult, and
prevents toys from being lost by sinking in the water.
[0056] The carrier and its headrest is highly versatile in its
employments. It, however, is not intended as life saver or swimming
aid; rather it is especially for safe introduction to and enjoyment
of water for babies and infants. Watching other children not in the
carrier is made significantly easier, and often "hands free."
[0057] The present invention is thus provided. Various features,
parts, subcombinations and combinations can be employed with or
without other features, parts, subcombinations or combinations in
the practice of the invention, and numerous adaptations and
modifications can be effected within its spirit, the literal claim
scope of which is particularly pointed out as follows:
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