U.S. patent application number 11/247593 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for infant carrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graco Children's Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Marguerite I. Caton, Kara Melinda Cooley, Sharon L. Griffiths.
Application Number | 20060138826 11/247593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36010862 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060138826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caton; Marguerite I. ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Infant carrier
Abstract
An infant carrier includes a body and a strap connected to the
body at at least two attachment points. The body includes a bottom
panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to
the bottom panel. The infant carrier also includes at least one
fastener on the body. The fastener is configured to releasably
couple the infant carrier to a stroller.
Inventors: |
Caton; Marguerite I.;
(Downingtown, PA) ; Cooley; Kara Melinda; (Mid
Levels, HK) ; Griffiths; Sharon L.; (Reading,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEMPIA IP GROUP, LLC
223 WEST JACKSON BLVD.
SUITE 1100, BROOKS BLDG.
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Graco Children's Products
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36010862 |
Appl. No.: |
11/247593 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60617658 |
Oct 13, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/256.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20130101;
B62B 9/24 20130101; B62B 7/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/256.16 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/08 20060101
A47C001/08 |
Claims
1. An infant carrier comprising: a body including a bottom panel
and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the
bottom panel; a strap connected to the body at at least two
attachment points; and at least one fastener on the body, the at
least one fastener configured to releasably couple the infant
carrier to a stroller.
2. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the side wall
includes first and second side panels on opposite sides of the
bottom panel, and the at least one fastener includes a first
fastener on the first side panel and a second fastener on the
second side panel.
3. The infant carrier according to claim 2, wherein the first and
second fasteners are located on outer surfaces of the first and
second side panels, respectively.
4. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one fastener comprises a J-hook.
5. The infant carrier according to claim 1, further comprising at
least one fastener cover to cover the at least one fastener when
not in use.
6. The infant carrier according to claim 5, further comprising a
child restraint system that is connected to the body and that
includes at least one waist strap, wherein the at least one
fastener cover comprises a strap extension of the at least one
waist strap to cover the at least one fastener when not in use.
7. The infant carrier according to claim 5, wherein the at least
one fastener cover comprises a pocket formed in the body to cover
the at least one fastener when not in use.
8. The infant carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a
child restraint system connected to the body.
9. The infant carrier according to claim 2, wherein the side wall
further includes a head panel.
10. The infant carrier according to claim 9, wherein the first and
second side panels and the head panel define a continuous wall.
11. The infant carrier according to claim 9, wherein the side wall
further comprises a foot panel.
12. The infant carrier according to claim 11, wherein the first and
second side panels, the head panel, and the foot panel define a
continuous wall.
13. The infant carrier according to claim 11, wherein the strap is
connected to the head panel and to the foot panel.
14. The infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the strap
connects to the head panel at a single attachment point.
15. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the strap is
releasably connected to the body at one of the at least two
attachment points.
16. A child product comprising: an infant carrier comprising: a
body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a
lower edge connected to the bottom panel, a strap connected to the
body at at least two attachment points, and at least one carrier
fastener on the body; and a stroller including at least one
stroller fastener, wherein the at least one carrier fastener is
configured to releasably couple to the at least one stroller
fastener.
17. The child product according to claim 16, wherein the side wall
includes first and second side panels on opposite sides of the
bottom panel, and the at least one carrier fastener includes a
first carrier fastener on the first side panel and a second carrier
fastener on the second side panel.
18. The child product according to claim 17, wherein the first and
second carrier fasteners are located on outer surfaces of the first
and second side panels, respectively.
19. The child product according to claim 16, wherein the at least
one carrier fastener comprises a J-hook, and the at least one
stroller fastener comprises a D-ring to releasably couple with the
J-hook.
20. The child product according to claim 16, further comprising at
least one fastener cover to cover the at least one carrier fastener
when not in use.
21. The child product according to claim 20, further comprising a
child restraint system that is connected to the body and that
includes at least one waist strap, wherein the at least one carrier
fastener cover comprises a strap extension of the at least one
waist strap to cover the at least one carrier fastener when not in
use.
22. The child product according to claim 20, wherein the at least
one carrier fastener cover comprises a pocket formed in the body to
cover the at least one carrier fastener when not in use.
23. The child product according to claim 16, further comprising a
child restraint system connected to the body.
24. The child product according to claim 17, wherein the side wall
further includes a head panel.
25. The child product according to claim 24, wherein the first and
second side panels and the head panel define a continuous wall.
26. The child product according to claim 24, wherein the side wall
further comprises a foot panel.
27. The child product according to claim 26, wherein the first and
second side panels, the head panel, and the foot panel define a
continuous wall.
28. The child product according to claim 26, wherein the strap is
connected to the head panel and to the foot panel.
29. The child product to claim 28, wherein the strap connects to
the head panel at a single attachment point.
30. The child product according to claim 16, wherein the strap is
releasably connected to the body at one of the at least two
attachment points.
31. An infant carrier comprising: a body including a bottom panel
and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the
bottom panel, the side wall including a head panel and first and
second side panels; a strap connected to the body at at least two
attachment points; and first and second fasteners on the first and
second side panels, respectively, to releasably couple the infant
carrier to a stroller.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/617,658, filed Oct. 13, 2004, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an infant carrier that can be
carried by a caregiver and that can be placed in a mechanical or
other conveyance, such as a stroller or an infant car seat. More
specifically, this invention relates to an infant carrier that can
be carried by a caregiver across the caregiver's shoulders and that
can be releasably coupled to a stroller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Infant carriers generally provide a soft cocoon-like child
containment area in which an infant can be placed. Certain
conventional infant carriers can be worn by a caregiver across the
caregiver's shoulders. These infant carriers can be designed to
hold the infant in an upright position or to allow the infant to
lie in a horizontal or slightly angled position. Infants often fall
asleep in both vertical and horizontal infant carriers. When the
caregiver is no longer able to carry the infant in the infant
carrier, for example, if the caregiver becomes weary under the
combined weight of the infant and the infant carrier, the infant
generally must be removed from the infant carrier and buckled, or
otherwise secured, in a different conveyance, such as a stroller.
Moving the infant from the infant carrier to the conveyance,
however, often awakens the infant.
[0004] Thus, there is a need in the art for an infant carrier that
is capable of being worn by a caregiver and that can be securely
and releasably coupled to a child conveyance, such as a stroller,
without removing the infant from the infant carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to an infant carrier
that includes a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side
wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel; a strap
connected to the body at at least two attachment points; and at
least one fastener on the body, the at least one fastener
configured to releasably couple the infant carrier to a
stroller.
[0006] Another aspect of the invention relates to a child product
comprising an infant carrier and a stroller. The infant carrier
includes a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall
having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel, a strap
connected to the body at at least two attachment points, and at
least one carrier fastener on the body, The stroller includes at
least one stroller fastener. The at least one carrier fastener is
configured to releasably couple to the at least one stroller
fastener.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention relates to an infant carrier
that includes a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side
wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel, the side
wall including a head panel and first and second side panels; a
strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points; and
first and second fasteners on the first and second side panels,
respectively, to releasably couple the infant carrier to a
stroller.
[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an infant carrier
showing an infant positioned in the infant carrier according to the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the infant carrier of
FIG. 1 showing the infant carrier coupled to a stroller.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the infant carrier
shown in FIG. 2 showing a fastener arrangement in which a carrier
fastener is coupled to a stroller fastener.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1. in which
the carrier is being worn by a caregiver.
[0014] FIG. 5. is a top perspective view of the infant carrier of
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the infant carrier of
FIG. 1 showing an infant positioned in the infant carrier.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a child restraint system of the
infant carrier of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view of a fastener cover to
cover the carrier fastener of the infant carrier of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier taken along
line 9-9 of FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an infant carrier
according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same
reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or
like parts.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an infant
carrier 100 in accordance with the invention. The infant carrier
100 can be worn by a caregiver, for example, across the caregiver's
neck and/or shoulders as shown in FIG. 4, or the infant carrier 100
can be releasably coupled to a stroller 40, as shown in FIG. 2.
When the infant carrier 100 is coupled to the stroller 40, the
infant carrier 100 can be placed directly on top of the child
seating area 42 of the stroller 40. In this position, the infant
carrier 100 provides an ergonomically supportive environment for
the infant. This infant carrier 100, which may remain in a
generally horizontal orientation both when carried by a caregiver
or placed in a stroller, is particularly suited for newborns and
infants up to six months. The infant carrier 100 can be transferred
easily between the caregiver and the stroller 40. Accordingly, when
a caregiver needs to place an infant sleeping in the infant carrier
100 in the stroller 40 or needs to pick up the infant in the infant
carrier 100 from the stroller 40, the caregiver need not worry
about lifting the infant out of the infant carrier 100 or waking up
the infant. In addition, the infant carrier 100 includes a carrier
fastener configured to releasably couple to a stroller fastener so
that that infant carrier 100 can be coupled securely to the
stroller 40.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the infant carrier 100 generally
includes a body 110 to receive an infant, a carrying strap 130
connected to the body 110 to enable a caregiver to wear the infant
carrier 100, and at least one carrier fastener 143, such as the
illustrated J-hook, configured to releasably couple the infant
carrier 100 to the stroller 40.
[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the body 110 of the infant carrier
100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The body 110
generally includes a bottom panel 112 and a side wall 120 having a
lower edge connected to the bottom panel 112. The bottom panel 112
and the side wall 120 can form a cocoon-like structure for the
infant.
[0024] The side wall 120 can be non-rigid. The side wall 120 can be
moved or flexed relative to the bottom panel 112. For example, the
non-rigid side wall 120 can conform to the contour of the
caregiver. In addition, the non-rigid characteristic of the side
wall 120 enables the side wall 120 to fold toward the bottom panel
110 for storage.
[0025] The side wall 120 can include a head panel 122, first and
second side panels 124, 126 on opposite sides of the bottom panel
112, and a foot panel 128. The head panel 122, first and second
side panels 124, 126, and foot panel 128 may form a continuous side
wall 120, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, adjacent panels 122,
124, 126, 128 may be spaced from each other so that there are gaps
along the side wall 120 of the infant carrier 100.
[0026] The bottom panel 112 generally can include a head portion
113 and a foot portion 115. When an infant is placed on the bottom
panel 112, the infant's head can rest on the head portion 113 of
the bottom panel 112, and the infant's lower body can rest on the
foot portion 115.
[0027] The head portion 113 of the bottom panel 112 may include
padding to serve as a soft head support for the infant.
Additionally, any other portion of the bottom panel 112 or side
wall 120 may include padding for increased comfort.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom panel 112 can include a
pocket and a stiffening board 181, disposed in the pocket, that
serves as a barrier or rigid support for the infant to help protect
the infant's back. The stiffening board 181 may be contoured to be
compatible with the child seating area 42 of the stroller 40. The
stiffening board 181 allows the infant carrier 100 to be
self-supportable (i.e., able to remain in a horizontal position
when the infant carrier 100 is placed on a surface and not flip
over on its side when an infant is in the infant carrier 100). The
stiffening board 181 may be removable to permit easier washing of
the infant carrier 100, or it may be fixed. The stiffening board
181 may comprise plastic, metal, or any other suitable material.
Stiffening boards may also be employed in the head panel 122, the
side panels 124, 126, and/or the foot panel 128.
[0029] As mentioned above, the infant carrier 100 includes a strap
130. The strap 130 is sized so that a caregiver can wear the infant
carrier 100 across the caregiver's shoulder(s) and/or neck, as
shown in FIG. 4. The strap 130 is connected to the carrier body 110
at at least two attachment points. For example, the strap 130 may
be connected to the head panel 122 of the body 110 at a first
attachment point, and the strap 130 may be connected to the foot
panel 128 of the body 110 at a second attachment point. The strap
130 can include a strap adjuster 134 to enable the strap 130 to
adjust to different lengths.
[0030] The strap 130 is configured to be worn by a caregiver such
that the caregiver can carry the infant carrier 100 either in a
horizontal or in an angled position. The strap 130, when worn by a
caregiver, can be positioned over one shoulder and behind the
caregiver's neck and arm, such that the carrier 100 is in a
sling-like position. The strap 130 is non-rigid. Accordingly, when
the infant carrier 100 is not being worn by a caregiver, the
caregiver can position or tuck the strap 130 alongside the outer
surface of either side panel 124, 126 or under the bottom panel
112, away from an infant in the infant carrier 100. FIG. 2, for
example, shows the strap 130 in a tucked-away position under the
bottom panel 112.
[0031] The infant carrier 100 can be releasably coupled to the
stroller 40 by a fastener arrangement 140. The fastener arrangement
140 may include snaps, zippers, buckles, Velcro.RTM., J-hook and
D-ring, belts and slits in fabric, or any other suitable type of
fastening elements. The fastener arrangement 140 includes at least
one carrier fastener 143 on the carrier 100 and at least one
stroller fastener 144 on the stroller 40 configured to releasably
couple to the at least one carrier fastener 143. For example, the
carrier fastener can be any of a J-hook, snap, buckle, Velcro.RTM.,
zipper, or any other suitable fastener, and the stroller fastener
can be a corresponding D-ring, snap, latch, Velcro.RTM., zipper, or
any other suitable fastener, respectively, to mate with the carrier
fastener. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the carrier
fastener 143 is a J-hook, and the stroller fastener 144 is a
D-ring. It will be recognized that, in an alternative arrangement
the D-ring can be on the infant carrier 100, and the J-hook can be
on the stroller 40. Any combination of fastening elements may be
used to releasably couple the infant carrier 100 to the stroller
40. In addition, any suitable number of fastener arrangements 140
may be used to releasably couple the infant carrier 100 to the
stroller 40. In one embodiment, first and second carrier fasteners
143 can be located on the first and second side panels 124, 126,
respectively, and corresponding stroller fasteners 144 can be
located on either side of the child seating area 42 of the stroller
40. Further, the carrier fasteners 143 can be located on outer
surfaces of the respective side panels 124, 126.
[0032] When not in use, the carrier fasteners 143 may be covered by
a fastener cover. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, strap extensions
178 of respective waist straps 162, 163 of a child restraint system
150 may be placed over the carrier fasteners 143 and connected to
hook-and-loop (Velcro.RTM.) areas 142. The hook-and-loop areas 142
may be located on an outer surface of the respective side panels
124, 126 below the carrier fasteners 143. Accordingly, when the
infant carrier 100 is worn by a caregiver as shown in FIG. 4, the
carrier fasteners 143 will not scratch or rub against the
caregiver. When the infant carrier 100 is to be coupled to the
stroller 40, the strap extensions 178 can be pulled off of the
hook-and-loop areas 142, exposing the carrier fasteners 143 for
use.
[0033] The infant carrier 100 can include a child restraint system
150 to secure an infant to the infant carrier body 110. FIGS. 3, 5,
and 7 show an embodiment of the child restraint system 150. The
child restraint system 150 can be a 5-point restraint system. The
child restraint system 150 generally can include a restraint panel
152, a buckle 154 attached to the panel 152, first and second waist
straps 162, 163 with first and second latches 160, 161,
respectively, first and second shoulder straps 171, 172 with first
and second shoulder strap connectors 173, 174, respectively, and a
leg strap 156.
[0034] The restraint panel 152 can be connected to the foot panel
128 and can be positioned between an infant's legs. The buckle 154
is attached to the restraint panel 152 near an infant's waist. The
buckle 154 includes a release button 155 to release the latches
160, 161.
[0035] The waist straps 162, 163 can be connected to the first and
second side panels 124, 126, respectively. The latches 160, 161
releasably couple the waist straps 162, 163 to the buckle 152 and
can include adjusters to adjust the length of the waist straps 162,
163.
[0036] The first and second shoulder straps 171, 172 can be
releasably coupled to the buckle 154 via the first and second
shoulder strap connectors 173, 174. One end of the shoulder straps
171, 172 can be attached to the bottom panel 112 of the carrier
body 110, and the other end of the shoulder straps 171, 172 can
couple to shoulder strap connectors 173, 174. The shoulder strap
connectors 173, 174 each include a passage (not shown) for
receiving a locking rod 164 on the latches 160, 161, as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0037] The leg strap 156 is threaded under a band 157 of the panel
152 formed by two slits 153. The leg strap 156 can be attached at
one end to the foot panel 128 and at a second end to the buckle
152. The leg strap 156 includes a leg strap adjuster 158 to adjust
the length of the leg strap 156. By adjusting the length of the leg
strap 156, the position of the restraint panel 152 can be altered
to allow for infants of varying sizes to fit in the infant carrier
100.
[0038] To buckle an infant into the infant carrier 100, the
restraint panel 152 is positioned between the infant's legs and
over the waist area of the infant. The leg strap 156 is adjusted to
the appropriate length according to the length of the infant. The
shoulder straps 171, 172 are positioned over the infant's shoulders
and adjusted for appropriate length. The locking rods 164 of the
latches 160, 161 are inserted into the passages in the shoulder
strap connectors 173, 174, and the latches 160, 161 are inserted
into and coupled to the buckle 152. To unbuckle the infant, the
release button 155 is depressed, the latches 160, 161 are removed
from the buckle 154, and the shoulder strap connectors 173, 174 are
uncoupled from the locking rods 164.
[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates an infant carrier 200 according to
another embodiment of the invention. The infant carrier 200 can be
releasably coupled to a stroller 40 or carried by a caregiver,
similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. The infant carrier 200
includes a body 210, a strap 230, a plurality of carrier fasteners
240, and a child restraint system 250.
[0040] The body 210 includes a bottom panel 212 and a side wall
220. The bottom panel can include a head portion 213 and a foot
portion 215. The side wall 220 can include a head panel 222 and
opposing first and second side panels 224, 226 to define a
continuous wall.
[0041] The strap 230 can be releasably attached at one end 232 to
the head panel 222 and releasably attached at a second end 233 to
the foot portion 215 of the bottom panel 212. The strap 230 could
include additional attachment locations. The strap 230 can be
detached from the carrier 200 at the first and second ends 232,
233. The strap 230 may be a rigid or a non-rigid structure.
[0042] The carrier fasteners 240 can be positioned on an outer
surface of the side panels 224, 226 and are configured to couple
with stroller fasteners 144 on a stroller 40 in a manner similar to
that described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. The carrier
fasteners 240 can be J-hooks, zippers, snaps, Velcro.RTM., belts,
or any other suitable fasteners. The carrier fasteners 240 can mate
with corresponding stroller fasteners 144 on the stroller 40.
Carrier fastener covers in the form of pockets 242 can be
positioned over the carrier fasteners 240 such that when the infant
carrier 200 is decoupled from the stroller 40 to be worn by a
caregiver, the carrier fasteners 240 are covered to prevent any
scraping or rubbing of the carrier fasteners 240 against the
caregiver. When the carrier fasteners 240 are needed, the carrier
fasteners 240 can be pulled down and out of the pockets 242. FIG.
10 illustrates one carrier fastener covered by the rightmost pocket
242 and an additional carrier fastener 240 pulled out of the
leftmost pocket 242. Any suitable number of carrier fasteners 240
in any suitable location may be used to releasably couple the
infant carrier 200 to the stroller 40.
[0043] The child restraint system 250 can be a 3-point restraint
system. The child restraint system 250 can include a restraint
panel 252 attached to a foot portion 215 of the bottom panel 212,
for example, adjacent to the second end 233 of the strap 230. The
restraint panel 252 can include an opening 253 for receiving
latches (not shown) of waist straps 262, 263. A buckle (not shown)
is positioned inside the opening 253. The buckle includes a release
button 255 positioned on the restraint panel 252 such that, upon
depressing the button 255, the latches can be released.
[0044] It will be recognized that the infant carrier can be fit in
and releasably coupled to various suitable child conveyances or
containment structures. For example, the infant carrier may be
releasably coupled with an infant car seat, a bassinet, or other
suitable child conveyances or containment structures. Furthermore,
the infant carrier may be coupled or mounted to many different
types of strollers other than that shown in FIG. 2, including
single and double strollers, and strollers with differently shaped
frames or stroller seats.
[0045] The infant carrier can provide a soft, comfortable child
containment area for an infant that can fit within the confines of
a hard-shelled stroller, infant car seat, or other conveyance or
containment structure. It will be recognized that the infant car
seat can be made of any suitable material, such as fabrics,
resilient foams, and fiberfills. For example, the outer surfaces of
the carrier body, such as the outer surfaces of the side panels
124, 126, may comprise a durable textured material or a durable
textile such as woven polyester or nylons. The inner surfaces of
the carrier body, such as the inner surfaces of the side panels
124, 126, may comprise a soft, possibly breathable fabric, such as
knits, textured wovens, non-wovens, napped or terry type fibers,
velour terry, cotton knits, soft textured double knits, soft mesh
knits or jersey knits. Fillings of washable resilient materials,
such as foams and fiberfills, can be present between the inner
surfaces and the outer surfaces of the carrier body. The strap 130
may comprise a soft, but sturdy, inner material and a durable outer
material. The lining of the strap 130 can be soft foam and
polyester for comfort. Of course, any other suitable material may
be used. Further, portions of, or the entirety of, the carrier body
may comprise a memory foam, such as GracoPedic memory foam. The
memory foam can minimize pressure points and enhance infant
comfort. The materials can all be made of washable and dryable
material. Further, the fasteners 140, the buckle 152, and other
parts of the infant carrier may comprise plastics or metals.
[0046] The carrier body may also include ventilated areas. For
exemplary purposes only, the darkened or shaded areas of the
carrier body shown in the above described figures may be replaced
with a mesh or other porous ventilation material or through holes
to allow air to flow through the infant carrier. As another
example, the carrier body 110 may include inner breathing mesh
strips at a point where the bottom panel 112 joins the side wall
120 in the upper half of the carrier 100 to provide increased air
flow to the infant.
[0047] It will be recognized that the infant carrier may also be
oriented in a vertical position, as opposed to the horizontal
position shown in the figures. An infant carrier designed to be
oriented in a vertical position could include additional straps and
infant surround panels. Such a vertically-oriented infant carrier
can be used to carry infants of higher weight and age ranges than a
horizontally-oriented infant carrier. Further, the infant carrier
could be adapted to incorporate a separate harness system worn by
the caregiver, which provides a complete carrier system.
[0048] The preferred embodiments have been set forth herein for the
purpose of illustration. This description, however, should not be
deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Various
modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one
skilled in the art without departing from the claimed inventive
concept. The true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated
by the following claims.
* * * * *