U.S. patent application number 13/855283 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for baby carrier.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Blake Burpee. Invention is credited to David Blake Burpee.
Application Number | 20130284783 13/855283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49289879 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130284783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burpee; David Blake |
October 31, 2013 |
Baby Carrier
Abstract
A garment is provided as a baby carrier where a front panel has
a pair of upper slots to allow arms of a baby carried inside the
garment to extend through the upper slots and a pair of lower slots
so allow legs of a baby carried inside the garment with the
caregiver to extend through the lower slots. The front panel also
has a front opening extending upwardly along the front panel so
allow the head of the baby to extend through the opening. The lower
slots are arranged relative to a bottom band wrapped around the
wearer so that the baby with its legs through the lower slots is
supported by sitting on that portion of the front panel pulled
against the lower torso of the wearer by the band.
Inventors: |
Burpee; David Blake;
(Winnipeg, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Burpee; David Blake |
Winnipeg |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
49289879 |
Appl. No.: |
13/855283 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61620146 |
Apr 4, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20130101;
A47D 13/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/576 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02 |
Claims
1. A baby carrier comprising: a garment to be worn by a caregiver
including front and rear fabric panels shaped for covering the
chest and back of the caregiver and connected to define a neck
opening through which the neck of the caregiver can pass, arm
openings through which the arms of the caregiver can pass, and a
lower portion for surrounding the lower torso of the caregiver; the
panels being shaped to cover substantially the whole of the torso
of the caregiver between the neck and the lower torso; the lower
portion including a band for tightly surrounding the caregiver at a
level between the waist and hips of the caregiver; the front panel
having a pair of upper slots though the front panel to allow arms
of a baby carried inside the garment with the caregiver to extend
through the upper slots; the front panel having a pair of lower
slots though the front panel to allow legs of a baby carried inside
the garment with the caregiver to extend through the lower slots;
the front panel having a front opening extending upwardly along the
front panel so allow the head of a baby carried inside the garment
with the caregiver to extend through the opening; the lower slots
being arranged relative to the band so that the baby with its legs
through the lower slots is supported by sitting on that portion of
the front panel pulled against the lower torso of the caregiver by
the band.
2. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein each of the slots
has at least one closure member for closing the slot located at a
position spaced from an end of the slot.
3. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein each of the slots
has a pair of closure members for closing the slot located at a
position spaced from respective ends of the slot.
4. The baby carrier according to claim 2 wherein the closure
members are snap fasteners.
5. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the slots are
generally upstanding.
6. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein at least some of
the slots are covered by a flap which can be closed over the slot
to hide the slot against being directly visible from the front of
the front panel.
7. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the lower slots
are each covered by a fabric cover panel partly covering the front
panel and having a side edge of the cover panel spaced outwardly to
a respective side from the respective slot.
8. The baby carrier according to claim 7 wherein the side edge of
the cover panel is inclined upwardly and inwardly toward a center
line of the front panel.
9. The baby carrier according to claim 7 wherein the side edge of
the cover panel is inclined downwardly and outwardly to intersect
with the band.
10. The baby carrier according to claim 7 wherein the cover panel
covers the lower slots and each of the lower slots includes
fasteners within the cover panel for closing the lower slot.
11. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the band includes
a strap which is contained at least partly within a sleeve attached
to the garment around the lower torso.
12. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve is at
the bottom edge of the garment.
13. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the strap is
adjustable and includes a clip.
14. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the front opening
extends from the neck opening to the bottom edge and includes a
fastener system extending along the full length thereof.
15. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the garment
includes sleeves.
16. The baby carrier according to claim 1 wherein the garment
include a hood at the neck opening.
17. A method for carrying a baby comprising: wearing a garment
including front and rear fabric panels shaped for covering the
chest and back of the wearer and connected to define a neck opening
through which the neck of the wearer pass, with arms of the wearer
passing through arm openings, and a lower portion surrounding the
lower torso of the wearer; the panels being shaped to cover
substantially the whole of the torso of the caregiver between the
neck and the lower torso; applying a band at the lower portion
surrounding the wearer at a level between the waist and hips of the
wearer; carrying a baby inside the garment; locating the baby with
the arms of the baby extending through a pair of transversely
spaced upper slots the front panel; locating the baby with the legs
of the baby extending through a pair of transversely spaced lower
slots the front panel; locating the baby with the head of the baby
extending through a front opening extending upwardly along the
front panel;
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119 (e) of
Provisional Application 61/620146 filed Apr. 4, 2012.
[0002] This invention relates to a baby carrier which allows a baby
to be carried by a caregiver in a garment designed specifically for
the purpose.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many different designs of harness or sling have been
provided over the years to enable a caregiver to carry a small
child or baby in a suitable location on the back, or on the front
facing forwards or rearwards. Typically these require the caregiver
to carry the harness when not in use so that it can be engaged
around the body when required and the child inserted. Clearly this
is inconvenient and an alternative manner of carrying a child would
be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
baby carrier comprising:
[0005] a garment to be worn by a caregiver including front and rear
fabric panels shaped for covering the chest and back of the
caregiver and connected to define a neck opening through which the
neck of the caregiver can pass, arm openings through which the arms
of the caregiver can pass, and a lower portion for surrounding the
lower torso of the caregiver;
[0006] the panels being shaped to cover substantially the whole of
the torso of the caregiver between the neck and the lower
torso;
[0007] the lower portion including a band for tightly surrounding
the caregiver at a level between the waist and hips of the
caregiver;
[0008] the front panel having a pair of upper slots though the
front panel so allow arms of a baby carried inside the garment with
the caregiver to extend through the upper slots;
[0009] the front panel having a pair of lower slots though the
front panel so allow legs of a baby carried inside the garment with
the caregiver to extend through the lower slots;
[0010] the front panel having a front opening extending upwardly
along the front panel so allow the head of a baby carried inside
the garment with the caregiver to extend through the opening;
[0011] the lower slots being arranged relative to the band so that
the baby with its legs through the lower slots is supported by
sitting on that portion of the front panel pulled against the lower
torso of the caregiver by the band.
[0012] The formation of garment from different panel pieces can be
effected in many different ways depending on the design of the
garment. Thus the front and rear panels can be formed from separate
fabric sections forming the front and rear panels respectively
connected at side edges or other connection locations can be used
and no limitation to a particular construction is intended.
[0013] Preferably each of the slots has at least one closure member
for closing the slot at a position spaced from an end of the slot
so that the effective length of the slot can be reduced for
adjustment or to maintain the slot closed when not in use. Thus
each of the slots can conveniently include a pair of closure
members for closing the slot at a position spaced from respective
ends of the slot. The closure members cane be simple snap fasteners
or can be other types of fasteners including zippers, although this
is not preferred to avoid generating a rough edge of the slot to
chafe the arm or leg.
[0014] The slots are generally upstanding so that the upper slots
are roughly vertical and the lower slots are inclined slightly
inwardly and upwardly from the vertical. However other orientation
including at or close to horizontal can be used provided the arm or
leg can project through the slot without pressure or chafing.
[0015] At least some of the slots are covered by a flap which can
be closed over the slot to hide the slot against being directly
visible from the front of the front panel to generate an attractive
appearance and to prevent direct access into the garment from the
front. Thus the upper slots can include a simple flap which closes
over the slot in the manner of a flap over an edge of a pocket
[0016] In particular the lower slots can each be covered by a
fabric cover panel partly covering the front panel and defining a
pocket and having a side edge of the cover panel spaced outwardly
to a respective side of the garment from the respective slot. This
has the appearance of a conventional front pocket of a garment and
fully hides the slots underneath.
[0017] Preferably the side edge of the cover panel is inclined
upwardly and inwardly toward a center line of the front panel and
is inclined downwardly and outwardly to intersect with the band at
the band so that the legs of the baby emerge from the pocket at the
band to avoid chafing or pinching on the underside. Underneath the
cover panels or pocket, each of the lower slots can include the
above snap fasteners within the cover panel for closing the lower
slot.
[0018] In order to provide sufficient support for the baby to
prevent the baby from slipping out from the leg holes the band
includes a strap which can be lulled down tight against the torso
and is contained at least partly within a sleeve attached to the
garment around the lower torso.
[0019] Preferably the sleeve is at the bottom edge of the garment
in the form of a sweater or short coat but the band may be located
around the torso with the garment being longer and extending down
below the band.
[0020] In order to ensure that the band is pulled sufficiently
tight to prevent the baby from slipping downward within the
garment, the strap is adjustable to pull tight and includes a clip
to allow it to be released.
[0021] In most cases the front opening extends from the neck
opening to the bottom edge and includes a fastener system such as
an preferably a zipper extending along the full length thereof.
Thus the garment can be opened at the front, the baby inserted, the
zipper closed and the band fastened to hold the baby comfortably in
place. However a full length zipper is not required and the lower
part of the front panel may be stitched together.
[0022] In most cases the garment includes sleeves but this is not
an essential element and sleeveless garments can work equally
well.
[0023] In most cases the garment includes a hood at the neck
opening but again this is not an essential element and garments
with regular open collars or folded collars can work equally
well.
[0024] According to a further definition of the invention there is
provided a method for carrying a baby comprising:
[0025] wearing a garment including front and rear fabric panels
shaped for covering the chest and back of the wearer and connected
to define a neck opening through which the neck of the wearer pass,
with arms of the wearer passing through arm openings, and a lower
portion surrounding the lower torso of the wearer;
[0026] the panels being shaped to cover substantially the whole of
the torso of the caregiver between the neck and the lower
torso;
[0027] applying a band at the lower portion surrounding the wearer
at a level between the waist and hips of the wearer;
[0028] carrying a baby inside the garment;
[0029] locating the baby with the arms of the baby extending
through a pair of transversely spaced upper slots the front
panel;
[0030] locating the baby with the legs of the baby extending
through a pair of transversely spaced lower slots the front
panel;
[0031] locating the baby with the head of the baby extending
through a front opening extending upwardly along the front
panel;
[0032] and locating the lower slots relative to the band so that
the baby with its legs through the lower slots is supported by
sitting on that portion of the front panel pulled against the lower
torso of the wearer by the band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the
garment according to the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the inside of the
front panel of the garment of FIG. 1 .
[0036] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the garment of FIG. 1
carrying a baby.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the garment of FIG. 1
carrying a baby.
[0038] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The baby carrier described herein comprises a garment 10
such as a coat, sweater or hoodie to be worn by a caregiver. This
includes front and rear fabric panels 11 and 12, sleeves 13, 14 and
a collar 15. The garment is shaped for covering the chest and back
of the caregiver and connected to define a neck opening 16 through
which the neck of the caregiver can pass, arm openings 17 through
which the arms of the caregiver can pass and carrying sleeves 13,
14, and a lower portion 18 for surrounding the lower torso of the
caregiver.
[0040] The front and rear panels are shaped to cover substantially
the whole of the torso of the caregiver between the neck and the
lower torso so that the garment acts as a convention sweater of
coat when worn to cover the body of the wearer for warmth or
protection.
[0041] The shape and design of the garment can of course vary to
use any design constructions used in such garments.
[0042] The lower portion 18 including a band 19 defined by a belt
or strap 20 contained in a sleeve for tightly surrounding the
caregiver at a level between the waist and hips of the caregiver.
The strap has a buckle 21 and an adjustment connection 22 of
conventional construction so that the strap can be fastened and
pulled tight.
[0043] The front panel is formed in two pieces connected at a
center line by a fastener particularly a zipper 23 extending the
full length of the front from the band 19 to the neck opening to
allow the front to be opened.
[0044] In order to support the baby as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
front panel has a pair of upper slots 30 and 31 though the front
panel so as to allow arms of a baby carried inside the garment with
the caregiver to extend through the upper slots. The front panel
also has a pair of lower slots 32, 33 though the front panel below
the upper slots so allow legs of the baby carried inside the
garment with the caregiver to extend through the lower slots.
[0045] The zipper 23 of the front panel provides a front opening
extending upwardly along the front panel so allow the head of the
baby carried inside the garment with the caregiver to extend
through the opening at a position above the zipper slider. The
lower slots 32, 33 are arranged relative to the band 19 and the
strap 20 so that the baby with its legs through the lower slots 32,
33 as shown in FIG. 3 is supported by sitting on that portion 11A
of the front panel pulled against the lower torso of the caregiver
by the band 19. Thus the weight of the baby is supported on the
fabric in front of the band and does not rely on the baby holding
itself in the slots 32, 33. The band is sufficiently tight to
prevent the portion 11A of the fabric from pulling away from the
torso and allowing the baby to slid down behind the band.
[0046] As shown best in FIG. 1, each of the slots 30, 31 has at
least one closure member defined by a flap 30A, 31A and snap
fasteners 40 for closing the slot at a position spaced from an end
of the slot. That is the flap 30A shown in the closed position
covering the slot 30 includes snap fasteners 40 at positions spaced
from the ends of the slot 30 to hold the slot closed when not in
use. Two snap fasteners are shown but more could be used to close
the slot along its whole length. In FIG. 1 the flap 31A is shown in
the open position open to the right of the slot so that it hinges
about a line 31B at the side of the slot 31 to move to the left to
the closed position covering the slot. The slots 30 and 31 are
generally upstanding that is vertical and parallel to the center
zipper line 23. The lower slots 32, 33 are each covered by a fabric
cover panel 34. 35 partly covering the front panel 11 at the lower
portion 11A and having a side edge 34A, 35A of the cover panel
spaced outwardly to a respective side from the respective slot 32,
33. The side edges of the cover panels are inclined upwardly and
inwardly toward the center line of the front panel at the zipper 23
but spaced therefrom by a top edge 34B, 35B. Each side edge 34A,
35A of the cover panel is inclined downwardly and outwardly to
intersect with the band 19 at a bottom point 34C, 35C so that the
legs of the baby emerging from the edge 34A, 35A do so at the
bottom point 34C, 35C to avoid a seam engaging into the leg and
possible causing chafing.
[0047] The cover panels 34, 35 cover the lower slots 32, 33 and
each of the lower slots includes fasteners 40 within the cover
panel for closing the lower slot adjacent to but spaced inwardly
from the ends of the slot. The slots are closed by the fasteners
sufficiently to prevent flopping open in an unsightly manner when
the garment is used without carrying a baby.
[0048] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as
herein above described, and many apparently widely different
embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims
without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that
all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *