U.S. patent application number 12/678080 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for arrangement for adjusting the height of a carrier means.
This patent application is currently assigned to BABYIDEA OY. Invention is credited to Bettina Lindbloom.
Application Number | 20100308087 12/678080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38572975 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100308087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lindbloom; Bettina |
December 9, 2010 |
ARRANGEMENT FOR ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF A CARRIER MEANS
Abstract
This invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting the
height of a carrier (1), which carrier (1) includes at least a
carrying section (2) intended for carrying a child, upper support
elements (5, 6) attached to the carrying section and placed over
the wearer's shoulders, and lower support elements (7-9) to be
placed around the wearer's body. The carrying section (2) is
equipped at least with essentially webbing like adjustment elements
(10, 11, 14), with which the multistepped or stepless height
adjustment is designed to be carried out.
Inventors: |
Lindbloom; Bettina;
(Helsinki, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
BABYIDEA OY
Vantaa
FI
|
Family ID: |
38572975 |
Appl. No.: |
12/678080 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
September 12, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI2008/050509 |
371 Date: |
May 13, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/160 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2007 |
FI |
20075641 |
Claims
1. An arrangement for adjusting the height of a carrier (1), which
carrier (1) includes at least a carrying section (2) intended for
carrying a child, upper support elements (5, 6) attached to the
carrying section and placed over the wearer's shoulders, and lower
support elements (7-9) to be placed around the wearer's body,
characterised in that the carrying section (2) is equipped at least
with essentially webbing like adjustment elements (10, 11, 14),
with which the multistepped or stepless height adjustment is
designed to be carried out.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the
height of the carrying section (2) is fitted to be adjusted with
the adjustment elements placed in between the lower support
elements, such as a hip belt (9) or lower straps (J, 8), and the
upper support elements (5, 6) situated at the top edge of the upper
part (3) of the carrying section (2), and with adjustment means
connected to the adjustment elements.
3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that
the carrying section (2) is removably fastened and/or additionally
the carrying section (2) includes one or several additional parts
(44).
4. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the
various webbings (10, 11, 14) acting as the adjustment elements are
fitted to begin from the shoulder straps (5, 6), from the top
surface of the shoulder straps, from between the fabric layers of
the shoulder straps, from the top of the carrying section (2) or
from between the fabric layers of the carrying section (2) or other
similar spots.
5. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the
various buckles (12, 13, 17, 33-35), rings (15, 16), snap fasteners
(19-23, 29-32), snap fastener tapes and Velcro tapes (24) acting as
the adjustment means are placed at any spot on the webbing (10, 11,
14) and the carrying section (2).
6. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the
carrier (1) has one or several support loops (37-43, 47-50) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and/or
adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) such as webbings.
7. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that there
are more adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) helping to
keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and
additional parts (44) than in the carrier (1) equipped with a
non-removable carrying section (2), which adjustment means are
placed at the spots of the carrying section (2) that are on top of
each other, or at other suitable spots.
8. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the
various webbings (10, 11, 14) acting as the adjustment elements are
fitted to begin from the shoulder straps (5, 6), from the top
surface of the shoulder straps, from between the fabric layers of
the shoulder straps, from the top of the carrying section (2) or
from between the fabric layers of the carrying section (2) or other
similar spots.
9. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the
various webbings (10, 11, 14) acting as the adjustment elements are
fitted to begin from the shoulder straps (5, 6), from the top
surface of the shoulder straps, from between the fabric layers of
the shoulder straps, from the top of the carrying section (2) or
from between the fabric layers of the carrying section (2) or other
similar spots.
10. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the
various buckles (12, 13, 17, 33-35), rings (15, 16), snap fasteners
(19-23, 29-32), snap fastener tapes and Velcro tapes (24) acting as
the adjustment means are placed at any spot on the webbing (10, 11,
14) and the carrying section (2).
11. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the
various buckles (12, 13, 17, 33-35), rings (15, 16), snap fasteners
(19-23, 29-32), snap fastener tapes and Velcro tapes (24) acting as
the adjustment means are placed at any spot on the webbing (10, 11,
14) and the carrying section (2).
12. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the
various buckles (12, 13, 17, 33-35), rings (15, 16), snap fasteners
(19-23, 29-32), snap fastener tapes and Velcro tapes (24) acting as
the adjustment means are placed at any spot on the webbing (10, 11,
14) and the carrying section (2).
13. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the
carrier (1) has one or several support loops (37-43, 47-50) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and/or
adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) such as webbings.
14. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the
carrier (1) has one or several support loops (37-43, 47-50) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and/or
adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) such as webbings.
15. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the
carrier (1) has one or several support loops (37-43, 47-50) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and/or
adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) such as webbings.
16. An arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the
carrier (1) has one or several support loops (37-43, 47-50) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and/or
adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) such as webbings.
17. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that
there are more adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and
additional parts (44) than in the carrier (1) equipped with a
non-removable carrying section (2), which adjustment means are
placed at the spots of the carrying section (2) that are on top of
each other, or at other suitable spots.
18. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that
there are more adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and
additional parts (44) than in the carrier (1) equipped with a
non-removable carrying section (2), which adjustment means are
placed at the spots of the carrying section (2) that are on top of
each other, or at other suitable spots.
19. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that
there are more adjustment means (12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-36) helping
to keep in place a removably fastened carrying section (2) and
additional parts (44) than in the carrier (1) equipped with a
non-removable carrying section (2), which adjustment means are
placed at the spots of the carrying section (2) that are on top of
each other, or at other suitable spots.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the arrangement described
in the preamble of claim 1 for adjusting the height of a carrier,
which carrier is intended particularly for carrying a child on an
adult's front, back, or hip. The carrier has been supplied with a
height adjustment of the carrying section, to make the same carrier
ergonomically suitable for infant babies as well as for larger
toddlers well until their pre-school years.
[0002] In prior art, various fabrics or their combinations are used
for sewing carriers in a form of, for instance, a back carrier, a
front carrier or a mei, with upper straps, which go over the
wearer's shoulders, as well as lower straps or a hip belt, which
are attached around the waist or hip, and occasionally also other
straps such as a chest strap, which holds the upper straps in
place. Between the straps there is a carrying section that can be
realized in various ways, formed a little e.g. into a shape of a
cup or into a rectangle or square. Ergonomically, the carrying
section should support the child's back all the way up. This is
particularly important for a small baby and for a baby who is
sleeping or moving actively in the carrier, in order for the
carrier to be safe for the baby and for the carrying to be pleasant
for the wearer and to the baby. When the carrying section supports
the child's back all the way up, or at least up to the level of the
arms, the mass centre of the child stays close to the wearer.
During the most active carrying period, from newborn to about
two-year-old, the child will grow by dozens of centimetres.
Furthermore, carriers are often used occasionally for carrying
larger children, for instance on longer distances, at airports or
while hiking, and for handicapped or other children with special
needs. Most carriers according to prior art make compromises
regarding the height of the carrying section to make it suitable
for children aged approximately six to eighteen months. This makes
it too high for small babies and too low for larger children. Thus
a carrier that is suitable for a twelve-month-old is not suitable
for ergonomic carrying of a small baby or a larger child. For some
carriers, the problem has been solved by adding a separate inner
part for smaller babies. This adds to the fabric layers of the
carriers, which is undesirable in hot weather, warm climates or
indoor use. Nor does the separate inner section solve the problem
in terms of the ergonomics of carrying larger children. Other
carriers are sold in various sizes, in which case a family has to
buy several carriers for a same child or an own carrier for each
child of a various age.
[0003] The object of this invention is to remove the disadvantages
described above and to achieve an advantageous and easily
modifiable, reliable and ergonomic arrangement for adjusting the
height of a carrier intended particularly for carrying children,
where the height can be increased as a child grows. The arrangement
according to the invention is characterised by what is disclosed in
the characterisation part of claim 1. Other embodiments of the
invention are characterised by what is disclosed in the other
claims.
[0004] The advantages of the arrangement according to the invention
include the fact that the height adjustment of the carrier's
carrying section is multistepped or stepless, which allows the
height to be increased easily as the child grows. Another benefit
of the height adjustment of the arrangement according to the
invention is that the same carrier is optimally suitable for
children of different sizes, meaning that a family, or e.g. a
children's private day care or a day-care centre, does not have to
purchase several carriers, if the children are carried at different
times. The height adjustment of the carrying section can be a fixed
part of the carrier or an additional piece or a removably fastened
upper part. The height adjustment according to the invention is
suitable for different carrier models, including back carriers,
front carriers and square cloths--i.e. any equipment with a
carrying section that supports the back or the front part of the
child to be carried. The height adjustment according to the
invention also enables the same carrier to be realized so that the
child can be carried facing forward, because in such a position the
height of the carrying section must be lower than when the child is
carried facing the wearer. In addition, the height adjustment of
the carrying section is useful when the baby is carried not only in
vertical position but also in L-shaped or reclining position in the
same carrier.
[0005] In the following, the invention will be described in more
detail by the aid of embodiment examples with reference to the
attached drawings, wherein
[0006] FIG. 1 presents an arrangement according to the invention
for stepless height adjustment of a carrier, adjusted to the
maximum height and viewed from the backside of the carrier,
[0007] FIG. 2 presents a stepless height adjustment of a carrier
according to the invention adjusted to a smaller height and viewed
from the backside of the carrier,
[0008] FIG. 3 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
adjustment means consist of webbings and D-rings,
[0009] FIG. 4 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
adjustment means consist of webbings and buckles,
[0010] FIG. 5 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
adjustment means consist of webbings, buckles and snap
fasteners,
[0011] FIG. 6 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
adjustment means consists of a buckle and a Velcro tape sewn on a
webbing,
[0012] FIG. 7 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
adjustment means consist of webbings that can be tied to each
other,
[0013] FIG. 8 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
adjustment means consist of a cord that runs inside a channel, a
reinforcement ring and a cord lock,
[0014] FIG. 9 presents an alternative detail of FIG. 2, where the
webbings used as the adjustment means begin higher, near from the
upper straps,
[0015] FIG. 10 presents a multistepped height adjustment of a
carrier according to the invention, viewed from the back side of
the carrier, where the upper part of the carrier is removably
fastened and where the adjustment and attachment means consist of
snap fastener rows, buckles and webbings, and also support
loops,
[0016] FIG. 11 presents a stepless height adjustment of a carrier
according to the invention, viewed from the back side of the
carrier, where in the carrying section there is a removably
fastenable additional piece with snap fastener rows as attachment
elements, and where the adjustment means consist of buckles and
webbings, and also support loops, and
[0017] FIG. 12 presents a stepless height adjustment of a carrier
according to the invention, viewed from the back side of the
carrier, where the adjustment means consist of buckles and webbings
and where there is a removably fastened upper part with snap
fastener tape as the attachment means.
[0018] A multistepped or stepless height adjustment has been
developed for the carrier according to the invention. FIG. 1
presents a carrier 1 according to the invention, viewed from the
backside of the carrier, i.e. from the outside, with the carrier
hanging freely open. In this case the carrier would be positioned
between the viewer and the wearer of the carrier. The carrier 1
comprises at least a carrying section 2, upper support elements 5
and 6, such as upper straps placed on the wearer's shoulders, i.e.
carrying straps. In addition, the carrier has at least lower
support elements to be adjusted around the wearer's body, which
elements consist for example of a hip belt 9 or for example of
lower straps 7 and 8 presented in FIG. 10, or for example of both a
hip belt 9 and lower straps 7 and 8. The carrying section 2 in
between the upper support elements 5 and 6 can be realized in
various ways, formed a little e.g. into a shape of a cup or into a
rectangle or square.
[0019] FIG. 1 presents a stepless height adjustment of the carrier
1 according to the invention adjusted to the maximum height. The
height of the carrying section 2 has been fitted to be adjusted
with webbings 10, 11 acting as adjustment elements and with buckles
12, 13 acting as adjustment means, which webbings and buckles are
placed in between the upper support elements 5 and 6, which are
attached to the top edge of the hip belt 9 and to the top edge of
the upper part 3 of the carrying section 2. Each adjustment element
consists at least of an upper webbing part, which is essentially
attached near to the top edge of the upper part 3 of the carrying
section 2 by its top end, and of a lower webbing part, which is
attachable to the upper webbing part with the adjustment means, and
which is attached by its lower end to the lower support elements,
such as the hip belt 9 or the lower straps 7, 8.
[0020] FIG. 2 presents the carrier according to FIG. 1, where the
stepless height adjustment is adjusted to a smaller height, in
which case the upper part 3 of the carrying section 2 is slightly
folded towards the hip belt 9.
[0021] FIGS. 3-9 present alternative details of the embodiment
presented in FIG. 2. In the solution according to FIG. 3 the
adjustment elements consists of webbings 14 and the adjustment
means consist of D-rings 15, 16 instead of buckles. Respectively,
FIG. 4 presents a height adjustment solution, in which the
adjustment elements consists of webbings 14 and the adjustment
means consist of lockable buckles 17. In the solution presented in
FIG. 5 the adjustment elements consists of webbings 11 and the
adjustment means consist of buckles 18 and snap fasteners 19-23.
Respectively, FIG. 6 presents a solution, in which a Velcro tape 24
and a buckle 18 acting as adjustment means has been sewn on to the
webbing 11 acting as the adjustment element. In the solution
according to FIG. 7 the adjustment elements consists of webbings
11, 14 that can be tied to each other, and in the embodiment
presented in FIG. 8 the adjustment element consists of a cord 26
that runs inside a channel 25 and the adjustment means consist of a
reinforcement ring 27 and a cord lock 28. FIG. 9 presents another
solution, where the webbings 11 acting as the adjustment elements
begin higher, near from the upper straps 5, 6.
[0022] FIG. 10 presents a multistepped height adjustment of the
carrier 1 according to the invention, where the upper part 3 of the
carrier 1 is removably fastened and where the adjustment and
attachment means consist of snap fastener rows 29-32 and buckles
33-35 and the adjustment elements consist of webbings 10, 11, 36
and also support loops 37-43. Respectively, FIG. 11 presents a
stepless height adjustment of the carrier 1 according to the
invention, where in the carrying section 2 there is a removably
fastenable additional piece 44 with snap fastener rows 45, 46 as
attachment elements. In the solution according to FIG. 11 the
adjustment means consist of buckles 33, 34 and the adjustment
elements consist of webbings 10, 11 and also support loops 47-50.
FIG. 12 presents yet another stepless height adjustment solution of
the carrier 1 according to the invention, where the adjustment
means consist of buckles 33, 34 and the adjustment elements consist
of webbings 10, 11. In the carrier 1 there is a removably fastened
upper part 3 with snap fastener tape 51 as the attachment means. In
the carrier 1 there are also removably fastened upper straps 5, 6
with pockets 52-55 and buckles 56-59 and webbings 60-63 as the
attachment means.
[0023] The multistepped or stepless height adjustment of the
carrier 1 according to the invention, which carrier 1 is intended
for carrying a child, consists of webbings, thongs or straps acting
as the adjustment elements 10, 11 and 14, which are placed on top
of/under the carrying section 2 or in between its fabric layers,
and of various adjustment means 12, 13, 15-24, 26, 29-34. The
adjustment means include various buckles 12, 13, 17, 33-34, snap
fasteners 19-23, 29-32, snap fastener tape, Velcro tape 24, buttons
or rings 15, 16. For example, there can be one or several webbings
acting as adjustment elements. Each adjustment element consists at
least of an upper webbing part, which is essentially attached near
to the top edge of the upper part 3 of the carrying section 2 by
its top end, and of a lower webbing part, which is attachable to
the upper webbing part with the adjustment means, and which is
attached by its lower end to the lower support elements, such as
the hip belt 9 or the lower straps 7, 8. When adjusting the height
of the carrying section, the adjustment elements are locked to a
desired position with the adjustment means. The adjustment elements
10, 11 and 14 are, for example, various ready-made webbings and
made of the same or a different fabric than the carrying section 2
is made of. What is essential is that the adjustment elements are
sufficiently durable for adjustment use, particularly when the
upper part 3 of the carrying section 2 is removably fastened as
presented in FIGS. 10-12. Webbings can begin from the point where
the shoulder straps 5, 6 are attached to (FIG. 10), from below them
(FIG. 6) or they can be extended and sewn on top of the shoulder
straps 5, 6 (FIG. 7). The buckle 12, 13, 17, 33-35 or other
adjustment means 15, 16, 18-24, 28, 29-32 can be attached either to
the webbing attached to the lower edge of the adjustable part (FIG.
1) or to the webbing attached near to the shoulder (FIGS. 3 and
4).
[0024] The above description represents the most advantageous
embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will see,
however, that the invention is not limited to the embodiment
examples presented above, but can be varied within the scope of the
patent claims presented below. The webbings can alternatively be
placed into webbing channels 25, which are either separate or sewn
in between the fabrics of the carrying section 2, and which have
cord locks 28 as adjustment means in their one end or both ends or
in the middle (FIG. 8). The upper part 3 of the carrying section 2
can be removably fastened to the lower part 4 of the carrying
section 2, and in between these there may be one or several
additional parts 44. In the removably fastened model the support
loops 37-43, 47-50 are helpful in keeping the webbings in
place.
[0025] The parts, shape and length of the multistepped or stepless
adjustment of the carrier 1 according to the invention can be
varied to optimally suit each carrier. For example, zippers, snap
fasteners, snap fastener tape and Velcro tape are suitable to act
as the attachment means 29-32, 45, 46, 51 of the removably fastened
upper part 3 and the additional part/parts 44 of the carrying
section 2. Other variation possibilities of the invention include
adding various removable or non-removable linings and/or various
removable or non-removable neck/head rests. In addition, the length
and the width of the webbings, straps and other adjustment parts
can be varied. Knots and various fastening clips can be used
instead of cord locks. The carrier can be made as a one-size
solution or in several sizes.
* * * * *