U.S. patent application number 14/209998 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for baby carrier and interchangeable carrier cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is TOMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Kellyn Bailey.
Application Number | 20140263492 14/209998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51523068 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bailey; Kellyn |
September 18, 2014 |
BABY CARRIER AND INTERCHANGEABLE CARRIER COVER
Abstract
An interchangeable cover for a middle panel of a baby
carrier.
Inventors: |
Bailey; Kellyn; (Logan,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOMY INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
Dyersville |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Dyersville
IA
|
Family ID: |
51523068 |
Appl. No.: |
14/209998 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61798515 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/160 ;
29/401.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49716 20150115;
A47D 13/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/160 ;
29/401.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02 |
Claims
1. A baby carrier comprising: a front panel including a middle
portion, a first top arm extending from the middle portion, a
second top arm extending from the middle portion, a first bottom
arm extending from the middle portion, and a second bottom arm
extending from the middle portion; a waist strap coupled to the
front panel and including complementary connectors for securing
around a user's waist; and a cover removably coupled to the middle
portion and including a first opening for the first top arm, a
second opening for the second top arm, a third opening for the
first bottom arm, and a fourth opening for the second bottom
arm.
2. The baby carrier of claim 1, further comprising a first shoulder
strap and a second shoulder strap, and wherein the first shoulder
strap is coupled to the first top arm and the first bottom arm and
the second shoulder strap is coupled to the second top arm and the
second bottom arm.
3. The baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a first
end opposite a second end, a front side and a back side, the front
side and the back side coupled at the first end such that the first
end is closed and spaced apart at the second end such that the
second end is open.
4. The baby carrier of claim 3, wherein the middle portion includes
a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, and when the
cover is coupled to the middle portion, the open end of the cover
is secured to the bottom of the middle portion, the closed end of
the cover receives the top of the middle portion, and each of the
first and the second top arms and the first and the second bottom
arms are disposed between the front and the back sides of the
cover.
5. The baby carrier of claim 2, wherein each of the first and the
second shoulder straps is removably coupled to the front panel at
two points.
6. The baby carrier of claim 1, further comprising a member
removably coupled to the middle portion and to the waist strap.
7. The baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the cover is
interchangeable with another cover.
8. The baby carrier of claim 2, wherein each of the waist strap,
the first shoulder strap, and the second shoulder strap are
adjustable.
9. An interchangeable cover for a baby carrier, the cover
comprising: a first sheet of material; a second sheet of material;
the first sheet of material connected to the second sheet of
material at a top edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge
to define four separate openings, wherein the four separate
openings are configured to receive portions of a baby carrier to
secure the cover to the baby carrier.
10. The interchangeable cover of claim 9, further comprising a
connector on one of the first sheet of material and the second
sheet of material to secure the cover to the baby carrier.
11. The interchangeable cover of claim 1, wherein the first sheet
of material is further connected to the second sheet of material at
a bottom portion of the first side edge and a bottom portion of the
second side edge.
12. The interchangeable cover of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of
the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material remain
unconnected.
13. A method of changing a cover on a baby carrier, the method
comprising: folding a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, and a
fourth arm on the baby carrier toward a middle panel of the baby
carrier; sliding the cover over the middle panel; and unfolding the
four arms on the baby carrier away from the middle panel.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling a first
shoulder strap to the first arm and the second arm.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling a second
shoulder strap to the third arm and the fourth arm.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling a bottom of
the cover to the middle panel of the baby carrier to secure the
cover on the middle panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/798,515, filed Mar. 15,
2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Baby carriers typically include first and second shoulder
straps and a waist strap that are connected by a front panel in
order to define a cavity or opening therein. The opening is closed
at one end and is designed to receive an infant or child therein.
The carrier allows a parent to wear the carrier such that the child
is secured next to the parent's body. In this way, the parent is
able to hold and bond with the child. The carrier also enables the
parent to have both hands free to make everyday activities
easier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to an improved baby carrier,
and more specifically to an interchangeable cover for the baby
carrier.
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides a baby including a
front panel, a waist strap, and a cover. The front panel includes a
middle portion, a first top arm extending from the middle portion,
a second top arm extending from the middle portion, a first bottom
arm extending from the middle portion, and a second bottom arm
extending from the middle portion. The waist strap is coupled to
the front panel and includes complementary connectors for securing
around a user's waist. The cover is removably coupled to the middle
portion and includes a first opening for the first top arm, a
second opening for the second top arm, a third opening for the
first bottom arm, and a fourth opening for the second bottom
arm.
[0005] In other embodiment, the invention provides an
interchangeable cover for a baby carrier. The cover comprises a
first sheet of material; a second sheet of material; the first
sheet of material connected to the second sheet of material at a
top edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge to define four
separate openings, wherein the four separate openings are
configured to receive portions of a baby carrier to secure the
cover to the baby carrier.
[0006] In another embodiment the invention provides a method of
changing a cover on a baby carrier. The method comprises folding a
first arm, a second arm, a third arm, and a fourth arm on the baby
carrier toward a middle panel of the baby carrier, sliding the
cover over the middle panel; and unfolding the four arms on the
baby carrier away from the middle panel.
[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a baby carrier including an
interchangeable cover according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0009] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the baby carrier of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the baby carrier illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIGS. 3 and 3A are exploded views of the baby carrier
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the baby
carrier of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate how the cover is removed and
replaced on the front panel of the baby carrier illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an alternate
construction for a baby carrier.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the baby carrier of FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 8A is a detailed view of a portion of the baby carrier
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate constructions of a
baby carrier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0019] In one embodiment, the invention provides a baby carrier
including a panel integrally coupled to a waist strap. The panel
includes first and second lower arms and first and second upper
arms extending from the panel. The baby carrier also includes first
and second shoulder straps that are removably coupled to the upper
and lower pairs of arms. The baby carrier further includes a cover
that is removably positioned over the panel. The cover may be
removed and replaced to ensure that the carrier remains in a good
condition and for interchangeable fashion. The cover prevents the
carrier, and specifically the front panel, from retaining stains
from spills and bodily fluids.
[0020] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a baby carrier 10 including a removable
cover 14 according to one embodiment of the invention. The baby
carrier 10 includes a front panel 22 defining a longitudinal axis
A. The front panel 22 includes a middle portion 24. The front panel
22 also includes a first top arm 26 and a second top arm 30
positioned on opposite sides of the middle portion 24. The front
panel 22 also includes a first bottom arm 34 and a second bottom
arm 38 positioned on opposite sides of the middle portion 24. The
first and second top arms 26, 30 and the first and second bottom
arms 34, 38 are integrally formed with the middle portion 24 and
extend outwardly therefrom in directions B, C, i.e., away from the
longitudinal axis A. The middle portion 24 is also received within
and secured to the removable cover 14. The baby carrier 10 also
includes a waist strap 68 integrally formed at a distal end 72 of
the front panel 22. The waist strap 68 includes a first connector
76 on a first side 80 that couples to a mating second connector 84
on a second, opposite side 88 (FIGS. 1A, 2, 3, and 3A). The waist
strap 68 may include a pocket.
[0021] Further, with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular, the
removable cover 14 includes a first end 150 that is opposite a
second end 154 and a front side 158 that is opposite the back side
162. The front side 158 and the back side 162 are coupled to one
another at the first end 150 of the cover 14 thereby defining a
closed end of the cover 14. The front side 158 and the back side
162 are spaced apart from one another at the second end 154 thereby
defining an open end of the cover 14. The cover 14 includes an
opening 166 extending between the second end 154 and the first end
150 of the cover 14 and is configured to receive the middle portion
24. The removable cover 14 includes a securement portion 60 at the
second end 154 thereof, which in the illustrated embodiment is a
hook-and-loop configuration.
[0022] The front side 158 and the back side 162 are also coupled to
one another at a first location and a second opposite location
about midway between the first end 150 and the second end 154. The
front side 158 and the back side 162 are stitched together at a
periphery thereof to define first and second top openings 42, 46
and first and second bottom openings 52, 56. The first and the
second top openings 42, 46 are configured to receive the first and
second top arms 26, 30 therethrough. Similarly, the first and
second bottom openings 52, 56 are configured to receive the first
and second bottom arms 34, 38 therethrough.
[0023] When the cover 14 is coupled to the middle portion 24, the
second end 154 of the cover 14 is secured to the distal end 72 of
the front panel 22. The second end 154 slips over and receives the
first end of the middle portion 24, and each of the first and the
second top arms 26, 30 and the first and the second bottom arms 34,
38 are disposed between the front and the back sides 158, 162 of
the cover 14 and extend outwardly from the cover 14 through the
respective openings 42, 46, 52, 56. The securement portion 60
couples with a mating securement portion 66 on the front panel 22.
The cover 14 may be secured to the front panel 22 in other suitable
ways as well.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the baby carrier 10 includes
first and second shoulder straps 112, 116, which are removably
attached to the first and second top arms 26, 30 and the first and
second bottom arms 34, 38. Each of the first and second shoulder
straps 112, 116 includes a first connector 112a, 116a and a second
connector 112b, 116b (FIG. 1A). The first connectors 112a, 116a are
removably coupled to connectors 26a, 30a on the first and second
top arms 26, 30. Similarly, the second connectors 112b, 116b are
removably coupled to connectors 34b, 38b on the first and second
bottom arms 34, 38. The first and second shoulder straps 112, 116
and the waist strap 68 are padded and adjustable, which helps the
baby carrier 10 to be more comfortable during use. Additionally,
the straps 112, 116 are all adjustable such that the baby carrier
10 can be adjusted to fit users of different sizes. For example,
fastening straps 200 may be coupled to the first and the second top
arms 26, 30 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3). The straps may
be removably coupled to fasteners 204 that are spaced apart from
the fastening loops 200. The arms 26, 30 are bendable to couple the
loops 200 to the fasteners 204 to shorten the length of the arms
and therefore adjust the fit of the carrier 10. Other means of
adjustment are also included, for example, by shortening the
connectors of the arms 26, 30, 34, 38 and the shoulder straps 112,
116. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and the second
shoulder straps 112, 116 are formed as a single piece (e.g., a
harness) extending over a user's shoulders forming a back panel 118
(FIG. 2). In other embodiments, the shoulder straps may be formed
as two pieces or have any other suitable configurations.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, a removable fabric member 92
(FIG. 3A) is coupled between the waist strap 68 and the first and
second bottom arms 34, 38 and is removable therefrom. The
illustrated removable member 92 includes first and second portions
96, 100, which include opposite mating securement surfaces 96a,
96b, 100a, 100b. The securement surfaces 96a, 96b, 100a, 100b are
illustrated to be hook-and-loop or Velcro surfaces. The first and
second portions 96, 100 are wrapped around the waist strap 68 and
secured thereon by coupling the opposite, respective mating
surfaces 96a, 96b, 100a, 100b. The illustrated removable member 92
also includes first and second loops 104, 108, which receive,
respectively, a fastener 104b, 108a on the respective first and
second bottom arms 34, 38. The removable member 92 may be secured
to the front panel 22 of the carrier 10 by any suitable fastening
means (i.e., snap-fit clips, buttons, Velcro, etc.). Additionally,
it is contemplated that the member 92 may be integrally formed with
the waist strap 68 and therefore, only removable from the first and
second bottom arms.
[0026] The front panel 22, shoulder straps 112, 116, waist strap
68, and member 92 define a cavity or an opening 120 configured to
receive an infant or child. The baby carrier 10 is worn such that
the front panel 22 is situated on a front of the user's body. As
such, the shoulder straps 112, 116 and the waist strap 68 extend
from the front of the user's body to the back. The child is
received within the opening 120 and between the panel 22 and the
front of the user's body. The child faces toward or away from the
user and sits on the member 92. His or her arms extend through
openings 123, 125 created on opposites sides thereof formed between
the respective first arms 26, 30 and second arms 34, 38. Similarly,
his or her legs extend through openings 124, 128 created on
opposite sides thereof formed between the waist member 68 and the
respective first and second bottom arms 34, 38. In this position,
the cover 14 that overlays the front panel 22 frequently becomes
dirty while in use as a result of saliva and other fluids that may
drip thereon. Therefore, the cover 14 is removable from the carrier
10 such that the carrier 10 is protected from stains and spills.
Because the cover 14 is removable, it is washable so that the
carrier 10 remains in a good, clean condition. The cover 14 is also
interchangeable with other covers, which may have different and
unique patterns.
[0027] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate how the cover 14 is positioned on
the panel 22. First, the shoulder straps 112, 116 are detached from
the arms 26, 30, 34, 38 of the carrier 10 by releasing the mating
connectors therebetween. The first and second arms 104, 108 of the
member 92 may also be removed from the first and second bottom arms
34, 38. Then the top pair of arms 26, 30 and the bottom pair of
arms 34, 38 are folded from an extended position (FIG. 5B) against
a rear surface 132 of the panel 22 to create a compact state (FIG.
5A). The cover 14 then slides over the panel 22 and the arms 26,
30, 34, 38 while in the compact state until the securement portions
60, 66 on the distal ends 64, 72 of the panel 22 and the cover 14
are matingly coupled. Once the panel 22 is received within the
cover 14, the top pair of arms 26, 30 and the bottom pairs of arms
34, 38 are unfolded back to the extended state. The connectors
between the shoulder straps and the top and bottom arms are then
re-coupled to prepare the carrier for use. In order to remove the
cover 14, the above-described process is reversed.
[0028] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate other constructions of baby carriers
for which the removable cover 14 may be used. While the
constructions of these baby carriers are not identical to the
structure shown and described in FIGS. 1-5, the removable cover 14
may be utilized in a similar manner with the baby carriers
illustrated in FIGS. 6-9.
[0029] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, an
interchangeable cover for a baby carrier that is removable and
replaceable. The cover prevents the carrier from stains and spills
and is washable to maintain the carrier in a good, clean condition.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in
the following claims.
* * * * *