U.S. patent application number 13/069832 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for multifunction infant carrier.
Invention is credited to Sara Lighthall, Elizabeth Zack.
Application Number | 20120241487 13/069832 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46876474 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120241487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zack; Elizabeth ; et
al. |
September 27, 2012 |
MULTIFUNCTION INFANT CARRIER
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is
an infant carrier adaptable to support an infant in a forward
facing position or a rearward facing position. The infant carrier
may also be configured to allow for easy adjustment to fit the
infant carrier to the specific size of the wearer. The infant
carrier may also be configured to be connectable with a bib in a
variety of configurations to protect the wearer or infant carrier
from fluids or objects which may fall from the infant's mouth. The
bib may also be connected to the infant carrier in a position to
provide shade to the infant. In this regard, the bib may provide
three-in-one functionality to the infant carrier to enhance the
overall experience of wearing the carrier for both the wearer and
the infant.
Inventors: |
Zack; Elizabeth; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Lighthall; Sara; (San Diego, CA) |
Family ID: |
46876474 |
Appl. No.: |
13/069832 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/576 ;
224/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/576 ;
224/160 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02; A41B 13/10 20060101 A41B013/10 |
Claims
1. An infant carrier assembly for carrying an infant, the infant
carrier assembly comprising: an infant carrier including: a pair of
shoulder straps; and a main panel having a body portion and a
distal portion, the main panel being engageable with the pair of
shoulder straps to define a pair of leg openings to receive and
support the infant within the infant carrier, the main panel being
transitional between a rearward configuration wherein the distal
portion is substantially coplanar with the body portion and a
forward configuration wherein the distal portion is folded relative
to the body portion to overlap the body portion; and a bib having a
pair of attachment tabs and a bib panel connected to the pair of
attachment tabs, the pair of attachment tabs being configured to be
releasably attachable to the infant carrier in a first bib
configuration when the infant carrier is in the rearward
configuration to dispose the bib panel between the pair of shoulder
straps, and a second bib configuration when the infant carrier is
in the forward position to dispose the bib panel adjacent the main
panel.
2. The infant carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of
attachment tabs are connected to respective ones of the pair of
shoulder straps when the bib is in the first bib configuration.
3. The infant carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the bib panel
extends from the body portion to the distal portion when the bib is
in the second bib configuration.
4. The infant carrier assembly of claim 3, wherein the pair of
attachment tabs are connected to prescribed locations of the body
portion when the bib is in the second bib configuration.
5. The infant carrier assembly of claim 4, wherein the bib panel is
connected to a prescribed location of the distal portion when the
bib is in the second bib configuration.
6. The infant carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the bib is
configured to be attachable to the infant carrier to assume a sun
visor configuration, wherein the pair of attachment tabs are
connected to respective ones of the pair of shoulder straps, and
the bib panel is attached to the main panel.
7. The infant carrier assembly of claim 6, wherein the bib is
connected to the infant carrier in the sun visor configuration when
the infant carrier is in the rearward configuration.
8. The infant carrier assembly of claim 6, wherein the bib panel
includes a distal portion connected to the distal portion of the
main panel when the bib is in the sun visor configuration.
9. The infant carrier assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
pair of fasteners configured to engage the distal portion to the
pair of shoulder straps to dispose the distal portion in the
rearward configuration and to disengage the distal portion from the
pair of should straps to dispose the distal portion in the forward
configuration.
10. The infant carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of
shoulder straps are connected to the main panel to assume an
overlapping, intersecting configuration to define an intersection
point.
11. The infant carrier assembly of claim 10, further comprising a
strap connector slidably coupled to the pair of shoulder straps,
the strap connector being slidable along the pair of shoulder
straps to move the intersection point along the pair of shoulder
straps.
12. The infant carrier assembly of claim 1, further including a
pair of strap fasteners for engaging the pair of shoulder straps to
the main panel, the infant carrier further comprising a pocket
coupled to the main panel, the pocket being sized and configured to
capture the pair of strap fasteners.
13. An infant carrier for carrying an infant, the infant carrier
comprising: a main panel; a pair of shoulder straps engageable with
the main panel to define a pair of leg openings to receive and
support the infant within the infant carrier, the pair of shoulder
straps being connected to the main panel to assume an overlapping,
intersecting configuration to define an intersection point; and a
strap connector slidably coupled to the pair of should straps, the
strap connector being slidable along the pair of shoulder straps to
move the intersection point along the pair of shoulder straps.
14. The infant carrier of claim 13, wherein the main panel includes
a body portion and a distal portion moveable relative to the body
portion between a rearward configuration wherein the distal portion
is substantially coplanar with the body portion, and a forward
configuration wherein the distal portion is folded relative to the
body portion about a fold line to overlap the body portion.
15. The infant carrier assembly of claim 14, further comprising a
pair of rearward fasteners configured to engage the distal portion
to the pair of shoulder straps to dispose the distal portion in the
rearward configuration and to disengage the distal portion from the
pair of should straps to dispose the distal portion in the forward
configuration.
16. An infant carrier for carrying an infant, the infant carrier
comprising: a main panel; a pair of shoulder straps engageable with
the main panel to define a pair of leg openings to receive and
support the infant within the infant carrier; a pair of strap
fasteners for engaging the pair of shoulder straps to the main
panel; and a pocket coupled to the main panel, the pocket being
sized and configured to capture the pair of strap fasteners.
17. The infant carrier of claim 16, wherein the main panel includes
a body portion and a distal portion moveable relative to the body
portion between a rearward configuration wherein the distal portion
is substantially coplanar with the body portion, and a forward
configuration wherein the distal portion is folded relative to the
body portion about a fold line to overlap the body portion.
18. The infant carrier of claim 17, further comprising a pair of
rearward fasteners configured to engage the distal portion to the
pair of shoulder straps to dispose the distal portion in the
rearward configuration and to disengage the distal portion from the
pair of should straps to dispose the distal portion in the forward
configuration.
19. The infant carrier of claim 16, further comprising a bib having
a pair of attachment tabs and a bib panel connected to the pair of
attachment tabs, the pair of attachment tabs being configured to be
releasably attachable to the infant carrier.
20. The infant carrier of claim 16, wherein the pair of shoulder
straps are connected to the main panel to assume an overlapping,
intersecting configuration to define an intersection point, the
infant carrier further comprising a strap connector slidably
coupled to the pair of should straps, the strap connector being
slidable along the pair of shoulder straps to move the intersection
point along the pair of shoulder straps.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to carriers adapted
to be worn by an adult in order to support and carry an infant or
young child. More particularly, the present invention is directed
to an infant carrier having a bib attachment which is adapted to be
disposed in a conventional bib position or in a sun-visor position
to provide shade for the infant.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] As is well known to parents of infants or young children,
shoulder-supported infant carriers are extremely popular and
commonly used to transport an infant or young child. Shoulder
supported infant carriers as currently known in the art come in a
wide range of designs and styles. A common attribute of these
carriers is that they offer "hands free" operation, and allow the
adult wearer to carry the infant while performing other activities.
One currently known infant carrier is a frame-type carrier which
typically supports the infant on the back of the wearer. Currently
more popular than frame-type carriers are frameless or soft-sided
carriers which typically support the infant on the front or chest
of the adult wearer. In this regard, the soft-sided carriers allow
for more interaction between the wearer and child.
[0007] Though soft-sided carriers provide certain advantages, they
oftentimes possess certain deficiencies which detract from their
overall utility. One such deficiency lies in the absence of a
structure which protects the wearer or carrier from oral discharge
(i.e., vomit, drool, etc.) from the infant. This deficiency is
magnified by the fact that when the child is placed within the
carrier, the wearer tends to move and be active, which may increase
the likelihood that the infant will vomit, especially shortly after
a meal.
[0008] Another deficiency lies in the absence of a structure which
provides shade for the infant during use. Shortly after birth,
young children tend to have sensitive skin, which may easily burn
or be damaged by direct exposure to sunlight. As such, conventional
infant carriers may leave the infant at risk of suffering from
sunburn.
[0009] A further deficiency relates to the adaptability of the
infant carrier to accommodate the specific size of the wearer. It
is understood that the infant carrier may be used by a wide range
of infant care providers (i.e., mother, father, grandparents,
aunts, uncles, friends, etc.). As such, it is desirable that the
infant carrier be easily adaptable to conform to the size of the
various infant care providers which may wear the infant
carrier.
[0010] The present invention addresses and overcomes these
deficiencies by providing an infant carrier which is easily
adaptable to fit snuggly on a wearer, wherein the infant carrier
includes a bib which may be oriented in a conventional bib position
to protect the wearer and infant carrier from oral discharge from
the infant, as well as a sun-shade position to provide shade to the
infant. These and other advantages attendant to the present
invention will be described in more detail below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
an infant carrier adaptable to support an infant in a forward
facing position or a rearward facing position. The infant carrier
is also configured to allow for easy adjustment to fit the infant
carrier to the specific size of the wearer. The infant carrier is
additionally configured to be connectable with a bib in a variety
of configurations to protect the wearer or infant carrier from
fluids or objects which may fall from the infant's mouth. The bib
may also be connected to the infant carrier in a position to
provide shade to the infant. In this regard, the bib may provide
three-in-one functionality to the infant carrier to enhance the
overall experience of wearing the carrier for both the wearer and
the infant.
[0012] According to one implementation, the infant carrier includes
a pair of shoulder straps and a main panel engageable with the pair
of shoulder straps to define a pair of leg openings to receive and
support the infant within the infant carrier. The bib includes a
pair of attachment tabs and a bib panel connected to the pair of
attachment tabs, the pair of attachment tabs being configured to be
releasably attachable to the infant carrier.
[0013] The bib may be disposed in a first bib configuration by
connecting the attachment tabs to a respective shoulder strap to
dispose the bib panel between the pair of shoulder straps. The bib
may be deployed in the first bib configuration when the infant is
in the rearward facing position.
[0014] The bib may be disposed in a second bib configuration by
connecting the attachment tabs to connecting straps formed on the
main panel of the infant carrier, such that the bib panel extends
from a body portion to a distal portion of the main panel when the
infant carrier is in the forward facing position.
[0015] The bib may be disposed in a sun-visor configuration when
the infant carrier is in the rearward facing position with the main
panel extending above the infant's head. The distal portion of the
bib is connected to the main panel and the attachment tabs are
connected to the shoulder straps to deploy the bib over the infant
to provide shade to the infant.
[0016] The bib and infant carrier may be configured to allow a
wearer to easily switch the position of the bib between the first
bib configuration, second bib configuration and the sun visor
configuration.
[0017] The pair of shoulder straps may be connected to the main
panel to assume an overlapping, intersecting configuration to
define an intersection point. The infant carrier may additionally
include a strap connector coupled to the straps and slidable along
the straps to adjust the location of the intersection point to more
comfortably fit the wearer
[0018] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] These, as well as other features of the present invention,
will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings
wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a upper perspective view of an infant carrier
assembly including an infant carrier and a bib disposed in a first
configuration for an infant seated in the infant carrier in a
facing-in position;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the infant
carrier;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the infant carrier depicted in FIG.
2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view of the infant carrier depicted in
FIGS. 2-3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of the infant carrier depicted in
FIGS. 2-4;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the infant carrier depicted in
FIGS. 2-5;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the bib and a section of the
infant carrier, wherein the bib is in a second configuration for an
infant seated in the infant carrier in a facing-out position;
[0027] FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the infant carrier
assembly with the bib in the second configuration;
[0028] FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of the infant carrier
assembly with the bib partially deployed in a sun-shade
configuration to provide shade to an infant seated in the infant
carrier; and
[0029] FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the infant carrier
assembly with the bib completely deployed in the sun-shade
configuration.
[0030] Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings
and detailed description to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present
invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, there is
depicted an infant carrier assembly 10 which is specifically
adapted to be worn by a wearer to support an infant or young child.
The infant carrier assembly 10 includes an infant carrier 12 and a
bib 14 detachably engageable with the infant carrier 12. The infant
carrier 12 generally includes a main panel 16 and a pair of
shoulder straps 18 connected to the main panel 16 to allow a wearer
to dispose the infant carrier 12 over the wearer's shoulder to
position the main panel 16 in front of the wearer's chest. The
infant carrier 12 may include a strap adjuster 20 to adjust the
size of the shoulder straps 18 to adapt the carrier 12 to the
specific size of the wearer. The infant carrier 12 may also include
a pocket 22 to capture fasteners or buckles connecting the straps
18 to the main body 16. The pocket 22 may contain the fasteners or
buckles to provide more comfort to the lower abdominal area of the
wearer. The bib 14 may be connected to the infant carrier 12 in
several different positions to serve a number of different
purposes. For instance, the bib 14 may be connected to the infant
carrier 12 to serve as a conventional bib to protect the wearer
and/or the infant carrier 12 from fluids or objects which may fall
from the infant's mouth (see FIGS. 1, 7, and 8). It is additionally
contemplated that the bib 14 may be connected to the infant carrier
12 for use as a sun visor to provide shade to the infant (see FIGS.
9 and 10). As such, a single bib 14 may be deployed in all of the
above-described configurations to enhance the usage of the infant
carrier 12.
[0032] Turning now to the specific structural features of the
infant carrier 12, the main panel 16 of the infant carrier 12
includes an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. The main
panel 16 defines a body portion 28 and a distal portion 30 foldable
relative to the body portion 28 to adapt the infant carrier 12 from
a facing-in configuration to a facing-out configuration. The main
panel 16 may be comprised of a medial section and a pair of
opposing lateral sections disposed on opposing sides of the medial
section. The medial section and lateral sections collectively
define a cradling support structure to support an infant adjacent
the chest of the wearer. The main panel 16 may preferably be filled
with a padded material to comfortably cradle the infant within the
carrier 12.
[0033] A pocket 22 is connected to the main panel 16 opposite the
distal portion 30. The pocket 22 is sized and configured to capture
buckles or connectors used to connect the main panel 16 to the
shoulder straps 18, as described in more detail below. The pocket
22 covers the buckles so the buckles do not painfully rub against
the wearer's abdomen.
[0034] The main panel 16 is configured to be detachably engageable
with the pair of shoulder straps 18. The shoulder straps 18 allow
the wearer to transfer the collective load of the carrier 12 and
the infant to the wearer's shoulders, similar to a conventional
backpack. Along these lines, the straps 18 preferably include a
padded material to ease the load on the wearer. The straps 18
include a length adjusting portion 19 to allow the wearer to adjust
the overall length of the strap 18 to adjust the strap 18 to
comfortably fit the wearer. The length adjusting portion 19 is
preferably formed of woven nylon, or similar materials known by
those skilled in the art, which are durable and allow for easy
length adjustment of the strap 18.
[0035] The shoulder straps 18 and main panel 16 may include a
plurality of complimentary fasteners/connectors to facilitate
connection therebetween. In the embodiment depicted in the
drawings, the main panel 16 and straps 18 are connected via a pair
of first connectors 35 (captured by the pocket 22; shown in phantom
in FIG. 3), a pair of second connectors 38, and a pair of third
connectors 40. Each pair of connectors 35, 38, 40 may include a set
of complimentary male and female buckle halves which are
cooperatively engageable with each other.
[0036] In order to easily place the infant within the carrier 12,
one of the pair of second connectors 38 and one of the pair of
third connectors 40 may be disconnected to open up one side of the
carrier 12. Once the infant is placed within the carrier 12, the
disconnected second connectors 38 and third connectors 40 may be
reconnected to secure the infant within the carrier 12. Since only
one side of the carrier 12 needs to be opened when placing or
removing an infant from the carrier 12, certain embodiments may
include a first connector 35, second connector 38 and third
connector 40 disposed on a common side of the infant carrier 12,
with the opposing side of the infant carrier 12 having a more
permanent attachment between the shoulder straps 18 and the main
panel 16, such as being sewn together.
[0037] The shoulder straps 18 are disposed in an intersecting and
overlapping configuration (see FIG. 3) to define an intersection
point 36 where the straps 18 overlap each other. The strap adjuster
20 is connected to the straps 18 such that the intersection point
36 is disposed within the strap adjuster 20. The strap adjuster 20
may include two halves 20a, 20b (see FIG. 3) which are sewn
together or otherwise fastened to define four openings through
which the shoulder straps 18 pass through. One or both of the strap
adjuster halves 20a, 20b may include a padded material disposed
therein to rest comfortably adjacent the wearer's back. The strap
adjuster 20 is configured to be slidable along the straps 18 to
adjust the position of the shoulder straps 18, and more
specifically, the position of the intersection point 36 relative to
the wearer's back for a more comfortable fit for the wearer. By
moving the intersection point 36, the wearer may adjust the load
distribution to mitigate muscle soreness or fatigue while wearing
the carrier 12. A loop 25 (see FIG. 3) may be connected to the
strap adjuster 20 to allow a user to easily grab the adjuster 20
for moving the adjuster 20 along the straps 18.
[0038] The infant carrier 12 defines leg openings 45 (see FIG. 2)
through which an infant's legs may pass through when the infant is
placed within the carrier 12. Along these lines, the leg opening 45
defined by the infant carrier 12 may be too large for smaller
infants, allowing the smaller infants to fall out of the carrier 12
through the leg openings. Accordingly, the carrier 12 may include
leg straps 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) extending between the shoulder
straps 18 and the main body 16 to decrease the size of the leg
opening 45 to make it safe for use with smaller infants. The leg
straps 46 include a slot configured to receive a button 48 (see
FIG. 4) disposed on the main panel 16. As the infant becomes
bigger, use of the leg straps 46 may not be necessary to ensure the
infant is safely secured within the carrier 12.
[0039] The infant carrier 12 may be adaptable to support an infant
in at least two different positions: (1) a facing-out position
(i.e., forward position) or (2) a facing-in position (i.e., a
rearward position). When the infant is relatively young, the infant
may not have developed the strength and coordination to
independently support his head. Therefore, it may be suitable to
place the infant in the facing-in position wherein the distal
portion 30 is disposed in a rearward configuration to provide
support behind the infant's head. In the rearward configuration,
the distal portion 30 is substantially coplanar with the body
portion 28 (see FIG. 1) and extends behind the infant's head to
provide support behind the infant, while the wearer's chest
provides frontal support to the infant's head. In the rearward
configuration, the pair of third connectors 40 are engaged to
maintain the distal portion 30 in the rearward configuration. In
other words, the third connectors 40 connect the distal portion 30
to the straps 18 to maintain the distal portion 30 in a coplanar
position relative to the body portion 28.
[0040] As the child grows older and gains the strength and
coordination to support his own head, the child may prefer to face
out when placed in the carrier 12. Therefore, the main panel 16 is
configured to transition between the rearward configuration to a
forward configuration by disconnecting the pair of third connectors
40, and folding the distal portion 30 relative to the body portion
28 to dispose the distal portion 30 in an overlapping position
relative to the body portion 28 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, when the
child is placed in the carrier 12 in the facing-out position, the
infant may be able to see in front of the carrier 12.
[0041] The following discussion now focuses on the use of the bib
14, which may be connected to the infant carrier 12 in several
different positions to add to the features and functionality of the
infant carrier assembly 10. The bib 14 includes a pair of
attachment tabs 54 and a bib panel 56, which may include a distal
fastener 58.
[0042] Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, infant carrier 12 is
shown in a facing-in configuration, with the bib 14 being disposed
in a first bib configuration. The bib attachment tabs 54 are
attached to bib attachment strips 59 located on the shoulder straps
18 to dispose the bib 14 between the infant and the wearer. In this
regard, the bib 14 is used as a conventional bib to protect the
wearer's clothing from fluids or objects which may fall out of the
infant's mouth. The attachment tabs 54 and bib attachment strips 59
are cooperatively engageable with each other, and are preferably
formed of hook and loop fastening material; however, other
fasteners known by those skilled in the art may be used without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The
bib 14 may be deployed in the first bib configuration before or
after the infant is placed within the carrier 12.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, the infant carrier 12 is shown
in a forward configuration to receive the infant in the facing-out
position. In this configuration, the bib 14 is disposed in a second
bib configuration with the attachment tabs 54 being connected to
bib attachment strips 60 formed on the inner surface of the main
panel 16. The bib panel 56 extends from the body portion 28 to the
distal portion 30, with the distal fastener 58 being fastened to an
attachment snap 62 formed on the distal portion 30. It is
contemplated that certain embodiments may not include an attachment
snap 62, in which case the distal end of the bib panel 56 simply
hangs over the distal portion 30 of the main panel 16. In the
second bib configuration, the bib 14 serves as a conventional bib,
similar to the first bib configuration, to protect the infant
carrier 12 from fluids or objects discharged from the infant's
mouth. The bib 14 may be connected to the carrier 12 in the second
bib configuration before or after the infant is placed within the
carrier 12, and when the infant carrier 12 is in the facing-in
position (as shown in FIG. 7, prior to being transitioned into the
facing-out position), or in the facing-out position.
[0044] The attachment tabs 54 and attachment strips 60 are
configured to be cooperatively engageable with each other, and are
preferably formed of hook and loop fastening material, although
other fasteners known in the art may also be used. Furthermore, the
distal fastener 58 and attachment snap 62 preferably include
complimentary snap-fasteners, but may comprise hook and lop
fastening material or other fastening devices known in the art.
[0045] Turning to now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bib 14 is shown in a
third, sun visor configuration to provide shade for the infant
disposed within the carrier 12. In the sun visor configuration, the
attachment tabs 54 are connected to the bib attachment strips 59
disposed along the shoulder straps 18. The distal connector 58 is
connected to the attachment snaps 62 to dispose the bib panel 56
over the carrier 12 to provide shade for the infant. When the bib
14 is in the sun visor configuration, the infant carrier 12 is
preferably disposed in the facing-in position to extend the distal
portion 30 of the main panel 16 above the infant's head to allow
the bib 14 to extend over the infant to provide shade to the
infant.
[0046] As set forth above, the bib 14 may advantageously provide
three-in-one functionality to the infant carrier 12 to
significantly enhance the experience of using the carrier 12 for
the wearer, as well as the infant. In this regard, the bib 14 may
be disposed in the first and second configurations to serve as a
conventional bib to position the bib 14 adjacent the infant's mouth
to collect fluids or objects discharged from the infant to protect
the wearer's clothes, infant's clothes, as well as the infant
carrier 12 fabric. The bib 14 may also be connected to the infant
carrier 12 in a position to provide shade to the infant, which is
critical given the sensitive nature of an infant's skin.
[0047] Although the foregoing discusses an infant carrier 12 and
bib 14 disposable in three distinct positions, it is understood
that various implementations of the infant carrier assembly 10 may
include an infant carrier 12 and bib 14 configured to be disposable
in only one or two of the above described configurations. For
instance, one embodiment may include an infant carrier 12 and
corresponding bib 14 configured to be disposable in the first bib
configuration and the second bib configuration, but not the sun
visor configuration. In this regard, the bib 14 may not include a
distal connector 58 and the infant carrier 12 may not be outfitted
with corresponding attachment snaps 62. However, such an infant
carrier assembly 10 would nevertheless provide two-in-one
functionality by including a bib 14 disposable in both the first
bib configuration and the second bib configuration to accommodate
an infant seated in a facing-in position or a facing-out
position.
[0048] The bib 14 is preferably formed from a washable material to
allow the wearer to simply remove the bib 14 from the carrier 12
when the bib 14 becomes dirty. In this regard, the wearer may have
a number of bibs 14 on hand to easily swap one bib 14 for another
when a bib 14 becomes dirty.
[0049] The bib 14 may also include a pattern, design or other
indicia displayed thereon to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the
carrier 12. Given that the bib 14 is prominently displayed in both
the second bib configuration, as well as the sun visor
configuration, various bibs 14 may be used to routinely change the
overall appearance of the carrier assembly 10. Furthermore,
different bibs 14 may be used to mark different occasions. For
instance, a beach-themed bib 14 may be used if the wearer and
infant are going to the beach, whereas a bib 14 having animals
displayed thereon may be used if the wearer and infant are planning
an outing to the zoo. It is further contemplated that the bib 14
may include patterns, logos, or other indicia corresponding to
various holidays, such as fireworks/flags for the Fourth of July,
snowmen for winter holidays, a cornucopia for Thanksgiving, etc.
Furthermore, if the carrier 12 is used to carry an infant girl, a
bib 14 including a pink color may be used, whereas, if the carrier
12 is used to carry an infant boy, a bib 14 including a blue color
may be used. As such, the bib 14 allows a wearer to quickly and
easily modify the overall appearance of the infant carrier assembly
10 to suit the particular tastes of the wearer or to mark a
particular holiday or season.
[0050] This disclosure provides an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The scope of the present invention is not
limited by this exemplary embodiment. Numerous variations, whether
explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the
specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of
material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of
skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
* * * * *