U.S. patent application number 15/094515 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-13 for child carrier harness device and system.
The applicant listed for this patent is The ERGO Baby Carrier, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rodney V. Telford.
Application Number | 20160296034 15/094515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57072977 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160296034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Telford; Rodney V. |
October 13, 2016 |
CHILD CARRIER HARNESS DEVICE AND SYSTEM
Abstract
A child carrier harness that is adjustable to fit a wide range
of child sizes yet is easy to use and comfortable for both the
child and the wearer. The harness includes a running line for
encircling a child's torso. A loop is disposed at one end of the
running line. The opposite end of the running line may be fed
through this loop to create a child tethering area for encircling a
child's torso. The end of the running line opposite the loop is
joined to the child carrier. The child tethering area can therefore
tether the child (e.g., to the child carrier and thus the wearer)
without encumbering the child's shoulders, arms, or legs or
affecting the child's position within the child carrier.
Additionally, adjustment of the running line allows the harness to
fit a wide range of child sizes. A waist belt anchor portion may be
used to provide the corresponding attachment point on carriers not
provided with one.
Inventors: |
Telford; Rodney V.; (Kula,
HI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The ERGO Baby Carrier, Inc. |
Los Angeles |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57072977 |
Appl. No.: |
15/094515 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62145703 |
Apr 10, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/005 20130101;
A47D 13/025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02 |
Claims
1. A harness system for a child carrier, comprising: a harness,
comprising: a running line having a loop at one end and a harness
attachment point opposite the loop, the harness attachment point
for coupling to a corresponding carrier attachment point on the
child carrier, wherein a length of the running line is
adjustable.
2. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the running line
comprises polyester webbing.
3. The harness system of claim 1, further comprising: a sleeve
covering at least a portion of the running line.
4. The harness system of claim 3, wherein the sleeve comprises
ripstop nylon.
5. The harness system of claim 3, wherein the sleeve comprises a
padded material.
6. The harness system of claim 3, may include a cinching portion
near the harness attachment point where the cinching portion is not
attached to the running line.
7. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the harness attachment
comprises at least a portion of a side release buckle.
8. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the harness may tether a
child by being placed around the child's torso, leaving the child's
shoulders, arms, or legs unencumbered.
9. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the harness engages only
a torso of a child.
10. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the length of the
running line is adjustable to fit children of various sizes.
11. The harness system of claim 1, further comprising: an anchor
portion coupled to the child carrier, comprising: a length of
flexible material; a carrier attachment point corresponding to the
harness attachment point for coupling to the harness attachment
point; and a set of fasteners for coupling the anchor portion to
the child carrier.
12. A child carrier system, comprising: a child carrier; and a
harness, comprising: a running line having a loop at one end and a
harness attachment point opposite the loop, the harness attachment
point for coupling to a corresponding carrier attachment point on
the child carrier.
13. The child carrier system of claim 12, further comprising: a
sleeve covering at least a portion of the running line.
14. The child carrier system of claim 13, may include a cinching
portion near the harness attachment point where the cinching
portion is not attached to the running line.
15. The child carrier system of claim 12, wherein the harness
attachment comprises at least a portion of a side release
buckle.
16. The child carrier system of claim 12, wherein the harness may
tether a child by being placed around the child's torso, leaving
the child's shoulders, arms, or legs unencumbered.
17. The child carrier system of claim 12, wherein the harness
engages only a torso of a child.
18. The child carrier system of claim 12, wherein the length of the
running line is adjustable to fit children of various sizes.
19. The child carrier system of claim 12, further comprising: an
anchor portion coupled to the child carrier, comprising: a length
of flexible material; a carrier attachment point corresponding to
the harness attachment point; and a set of fasteners for coupling
the anchor portion to the child carrier.
20. A harness for a child carrier, comprising: a harness,
comprising: a running line having a loop at one end and a harness
attachment point opposite the loop, the harness attachment point
for coupling to a corresponding carrier attachment point on the
child carrier; and a sleeve covering at least a portion of the
running line, wherein a length of the running line is adjustable;
and an anchor portion coupled to the child carrier, comprising: a
length of flexible material; a carrier attachment point
corresponding to the harness attachment point wherein the carrier
attachment point comprises a portion of a side release buckle; and
a set of fasteners for coupling the anchor portion to the child
carrier.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC
.sctn.119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/145,703,
filed Apr. 10, 2015, entitled "CHILD CARRIER HARNESS DEVICE AND
SYSTEM" by Telford, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates to child carriers. More particularly,
the disclosure relates to systems for tethering a child in a
carrier. Still more particularly, the disclosure relates to a
device for tethering a child in a carrier in a manner that does not
deleteriously affect the comfort of the child or the wearer, the
functionality of the carrier, or the position of the child being
carried.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There are currently a number of wearable child carriers on
the market which afford the wearer freedom of hand and arm movement
while transporting a child that is secured in the carrier. These
child carriers generally do not provide features for specifically
tethering a child in a carrier. In some jurisdictions, standards
have been enacted requiring tethering features to be provided for
use with (or as a part of) child carriers. What is needed,
therefore, are devices and systems for tethering a child to a child
carrier in a manner that does not deleteriously affect the comfort
of the child or wearer of the carrier, does not impede the
functionality of the carrier and does not impact the position of
the child being carried.
SUMMARY
[0004] To those ends, among others, embodiments disclosed herein
provide a harness for tethering a child to a child carrier. The
harness includes a running line for encircling a child's torso. A
loop is disposed at one end of the running line. The opposite end
of the running line may be fed through this loop to create a child
tethering area for encircling a child's torso. The end of the
running line opposite the loop is joined to the child carrier. The
child tethering area can therefore tether the child (e.g., to the
child carrier and thus the wearer) without encumbering the child's
shoulders, arms, or legs or affecting the child's position within
the child carrier. Additionally, adjustment of the running line
allows the harness to fit a wide range of child sizes.
[0005] When a child is displaced from the child carrier the weight
of the child (e.g., a portion of the child's weight unsupported by
the carrier) acts to tighten the child tethering area around the
child's torso. In particular, the weight of the child acting on the
running line serves to move the running line through the loop,
reducing the diameter of the child tethering area encircling the
child. The child tethering area thus cinches around the child,
tethering the child by limiting the point of maximum displacement
of the child away from the wearer of the child carrier. In this
manner, a child may be tethered by a harness placed only around the
child's torso, leaving the child's arms, shoulders, or legs free of
restraint and reducing or eliminating any interference with the
positioning of the child within the carrier
[0006] In one embodiment, the end of the running line opposite the
loop may include a harness attachment point for coupling to a
corresponding carrier attachment point on the child carrier. The
carrier attachment point may be a feature of the child carrier
specifically designed as such an attachment point or may utilize an
existing feature of the child carrier. In a particular embodiment
for example, the carrier attachment point may be a waistbelt of the
child carrier. By utilizing an existing feature of a child carrier,
such as the waistbelt, as a carrier attachment point embodiments of
such a harness may be easily utilized with a wide variety of
carriers, including those that did not originally include such a
harness and even child carriers not originally designed for use
with such a harness.
[0007] Specifically, embodiments of a harness system include an
anchor portion that may be attached to a carrier to provide a
carrier attachment point for attaching the harness attachment point
of the harness. The anchor portion may be made of a length of
flexible material and may include the carrier attachment point
corresponding to the harness attachment point of the harness. In
one embodiment, for example, a harness system may include a waist
belt anchor portion. The waist belt anchor portion may be coupled
to the waist belt of the child carrier. For example, in one
embodiment the waist belt anchor portion may be configured to
encircle a waist belt of a child carrier and contain corresponding
fasteners that when fastened together allow the waist belt anchor
portion to form a loop around the waist belt of the child
carrier.
[0008] In one particular embodiment, to accommodate child carriers
with different size waist belts the waist belt anchor portion may
include multiple sets of corresponding fasteners, allowing the loop
formed by the waist belt anchor portion to be made larger or
smaller as the need arises.
[0009] Embodiments of the waist belt anchor portion may also
provide the carrier attachment point for coupling to the harness
attachment point of the harness. In particular, in one embodiment,
each of the waist belt anchor portion and harness attachment point
may include corresponding fasteners such that they may be coupled
and decoupled from one another. This arrangement allows the harness
to be placed on child and the child situated in the carrier at any
point before or after the harness is coupled to the waist belt
anchor portion. Accordingly, the ingress and egress of the child
into both the carrier and the harness may be facilitated. In one
embodiment, the harness may have a sleeve covering at least a
portion of the running line to, for example, provide added comfort
for the child, protect the running line, or to facilitate the
movement of the running line through the loop of the harness. The
sleeve may be made out of ripstop nylon and/or may include a padded
material. The sleeve may be attached to a portion of the running
line and may include a cinching portion near the harness attachment
point where the cinching portion is not attached to the running
line. This cinching portion may thus facilitate the passing of the
running line through the loop without interfering with the
tightening of the harness as a child moves away from the
wearer.
[0010] Accordingly, embodiments of harness systems as disclosed
herein may have many advantages. For example, embodiments of such a
harness system may have a small profile and thus may not be
intrusive to either the child or the wearer of the carrier.
Additionally, these harness systems may be less restrictive such
that a child's movement may not be restricted while the child is
within the carrier. Yet a further advantage of a harness system as
disclosed herein is that the harness may be simpler and easier to
use than other devices currently available. In particular,
embodiments of such a harness system may allow a child to be placed
in the harness either before or after the child is placed in the
child carrier. Moreover, the child may be placed in the harness
either before or after the harness is coupled to the carrier
itself. Such versatility allows a wide variety of options for
situating the child in the harness system and the child carrier. As
an additional advantage, use of embodiments of the harness system
does not impede the operation or use of the child carrier itself.
In particular, the use of such harness systems does not impact the
positioning of the child within the carrier. Thus, when used with
child carriers that are designed to place the child in an ergonomic
position (e.g., such as a spread-squat position) the use of such a
harness does not impact the ergonomic positioning of the child. Yet
another advantage is that the harness acts based on the weight of
the child and only tightens when the child moves away from the
carrier, increasing comfort for the child while in the carrier.
Still another advantage is that harness systems as disclosed do not
require numerous adjustments for a proper fit and may also easily
accommodate a wide range of child sizes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings accompanying and forming part of this
specification are included to illustrate certain embodiments. A
clearer impression of disclosed embodiments, and of various
components and operation of devices and systems provided with the
embodiments, will become more apparent by referring to embodiments
shown in the drawings, wherein identical reference numerals
indicate the same components throughout. Note that features
illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a harness system.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of elements of a harness
system.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an infant with one embodiment of a harness.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of elements of a harness
system.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a waist belt anchor of a
harness system.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a waist belt anchor of a
harness system coupled to a waistband of a child carrier.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a harness system utilized
with a child in a child carrier.
DESCRIPTION
[0019] The disclosure and various features and advantageous details
thereof are explained more fully with reference to the exemplary,
and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description.
Descriptions of known starting materials and processes may be
omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed
description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred
exemplary embodiments, are given by way of illustration only and
not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications,
additions and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of
the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure.
[0020] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, product, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, product, article, or apparatus. Further, unless
expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or
and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is
satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B
is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is
true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
[0021] As used herein, the terms "fastener," "fastening," and
contextual equivalents or variants thereof, may refer to any type
of securing mechanism, such as, for example: buttons, snaps,
d-rings, clips, hooks, patches of hook and loop material (e.g.,
Velcro or the like), or any other securing mechanism, whether now
known or hereafter described in the art.
[0022] Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are
not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or
express definitions of, any term or terms with which they are
utilized. Instead these examples or illustrations are to be
regarded as being described with respect to one particular
embodiment and as illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these
examples or illustrations are utilized encompass other embodiments,
as well as implementations and adaptations thereof which may or may
not be given therewith or elsewhere in the specification, and all
such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of
the disclosure. Language designating such non-limiting examples and
illustrations includes, but is not limited to: "for example," "for
instance," "e.g.," "in one embodiment," "an embodiment," and the
like.
[0023] Conventional child carriers do not provide a means for
specifically tethering a child in a child carrier. Some recent
standards have required that manufacturers provide such a tether;
however, currently available devices may be cumbersome to use and
may inhibit the movement of the child's arms and shoulders, as well
as cause discomfort and prevent the child from attaining an
ergonomically advantageous position when used with carriers that
promote such a position. Additionally, current devices may inhibit
the functionality of the carrier or may only fit a small range of
child sizes, therefore requiring multiple devices as the child
grows.
[0024] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a child carrier harness
that is adjustable to fit a wide range of child sizes yet is easy
to use and comfortable for both the child and the wearer. The
harness includes a running line for encircling a child's torso. One
end of the running line may have a loop for passing the other end
of the running line through, creating an area for encircling the
child. The end of the running line opposite the loop may be
attached to a child carrier, thereby restraining the child.
[0025] Examples of child carriers that may utilize a harness system
such as the one disclosed herein may be found in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/937,193, filed Sep. 9, 2004, entitled "BABY
CARRIER" by Frost, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,498; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/209,580, filed Mar. 13, 2014, entitled
"CHILD CARRIER" by Telford et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,185,993; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/544,093, filed Aug. 19, 2009,
entitled "INFANT CARRIER" by Frost, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,352,
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, a child carrier harness system 100
in accordance with one embodiment comprises a harness 120 and a
waist belt anchor portion 160. Harness 120 may be designed to fit
around a child's torso. Waist belt anchor portion 160 may be used
to connect harness 120 to a child carrier. Harness 120 may also be
used without waist belt anchor portion 160, such as by attaching
directly to a child carrier.
[0027] In one embodiment, harness 120 comprises a harness loop 122,
which defines an area 130 for encircling a child's waist or torso.
Harness loop 122 may comprise running line 126 at least partially
covered by sleeve 127. Running line 126 may comprise a first end
which may be secured to a child carrier and a second end having a
reciprocating loop 124. Running line 126 feeds through
reciprocating loop 124, creating area 130 for encircling a child's
torso. Harness 120 may then be tethered to any suitable point using
any means. Harness 120 may be attached to a carrier (or wearer)
directly or through the use of intermediate parts, such as waist
belt anchor portion 160.
[0028] Waist belt anchor portion 160 may be adapted or otherwise
suitably configured for attachment to the waist belt of a child
carrier (depicted, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6). In one
embodiment, waist belt anchor portion 160 may provide a means for
tethering harness 120 to a child carrier.
[0029] In one embodiment, when a child tethered in harness 120
moves away from the wearer of the child carrier, running line 126
moves out of reciprocating loop 124 toward waist belt anchor
portion 160. As running line 126 moves out of reciprocating loop
124, cinching portion 128 is compressed to facilitate travel of
reciprocating loop 124 along a length of running line 126 while
reducing the diameter of the area 130 for encircling the child's
waist/torso. This tethers the child and limits the point of maximum
displacement of the carried child away from the wearer of the child
carrier. As the child is moved closer to the wearer of the carrier,
running line 126 moves into reciprocating loop 124; cinching
portion is extended to facilitate travel of reciprocating loop 124
along a length of running line 126 while increasing the diameter of
the area 130 for encircling the child's waist/torso, thereby
providing more room in area 130 when the child is closer to the
wearer.
[0030] In some situations, harness 120 may hold the full weight of
the child. The weight of the child acts to tighten area 130 around
the child's torso. Harness loop 122 may catch at the child's hips,
legs, or pelvis, especially if the child is wearing a diaper, and
may hold the child in the harness. Area 130 need not reduce to the
size of the child's torso to hold the child and may form a
"teardrop" shape.
[0031] Waist belt anchor portion 160 comprises anchor tongues 162
for wrapping around, for example, the waistband of a child carrier.
As anchor tongues 162 are wrapped around the waistband of the
carrier, anchor tongue press-fit snaps 164 may be engaged with
lower anchor press-fit snaps 166, or in the case of the wearer of
the child carrier having a longer torso or a larger/smaller width
waistband, with upper anchor press-fit snaps 168. While the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 shows press-fit snaps 164, 166, 168
and 170, any fastening means, whether now known or hereafter
described in the art, may be alternatively, conjunctively or
sequentially employed.
[0032] Upper anchor press-fit snaps 170 are generally not intended
for securing waist belt anchor portion 160 to the waistband of a
child carrier. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the function of
upper anchor press-fit snaps 170 will be more fully described below
with reference to FIG. 2.
[0033] Anchor tongues 162 may further comprise patches of
hook-and-loop material 180 intended for engagement with
corresponding patches of loop-and-hook material 182 and 184 along
the length of anchor flap 190, depending on, for example, the
wearer's torso length. That is to say that the wearer may select
lower anchor loop-and-hook patches 182 or upper anchor
loop-and-hook patches 184 when the wearer attaches waist belt
anchor portion 160 to the waistband or waist belt of the child
carrier.
[0034] As shown, anchor flap 190 may comprise a point of attachment
175 (e.g., a stitched patch or other fastening means) for securing
an anchor flap webbing or line (for example, on the opposite side
of anchor flap 190 of FIG. 1; not shown) to anchor flap 190.
Further description of anchor flap webbing/line will be detailed in
the discussion of FIGS. 2 and 4 below.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, as depicted, the diameter of area
130 for encircling the carried child's waist/torso has been reduced
with corresponding compression of cinching portion 128 as running
line 126 has moved out of reciprocating loop 124 (see, for example,
the gathered harness loop 122 material corresponding to the
cinching portion 128 in FIG. 2).
[0036] Running line 126 may provide minimal longitudinal elasticity
yet be transversely flexible so as to comfortably encircle a
child's torso. Running line 126 may be made of any suitable
material or combination of materials. In one embodiment, running
line 126 may be made of polyester webbing.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, running line 126 may be attached to
harness attachment 200. Harness attachment 200 may be a portion of
a side release buckle. Harness attachment may be any other suitable
means of removably attaching running line 126, including, but not
limited to: a buckle, a clasp, a carabiner, or a snap hook. In
another embodiment, running line 126 may be non-removably attached
to a carrier.
[0038] Running line 126 may be adjustable so as to change area 130.
Adjustment may be useful for allowing harness loop 122 to fit a
wide range of child sizes. Adjustment may also be useful for ease
of placing the harness on or removing the harness from the
child.
[0039] Adjustment of the length of running line 126 may be
facilitated by a feature of harness attachment 200. In one
embodiment, running line 126 may feed through harness attachment
200 such that pulling on the free end of running line 126 reduces
the length of the running line between harness attachment 200 and
reciprocating loop 126.
[0040] In one embodiment, harness loop 122 further comprises sleeve
127. Sleeve 127 may cover at least a portion of running line 126
and may comprise a padded material to provide additional comfort
for the child or the wearer. In one embodiment, sleeve 127
comprises a 3-D mesh. Padding may also be placed between sleeve 127
and running line 126. In one embodiment, padding between sleeve 127
and running line 126 comprises a 3-D mesh.
[0041] Sleeve 127 may be attached to running line 126, such as by
sewing sleeve 127 to running line 126. A portion of sleeve 127 may
not be attached to running line 126. For example, a portion of
sleeve 127 distal from reciprocating loop 124 may not be attached
to running line 126 and may be referred to as cinching portion
128.
[0042] Cinching portion 128 may comprise a portion of sleeve 127
that may be longitudinally extended or compressed along the length
of running line 126 (for example, a length of strap or webbing).
Cinching portion 128 may provide additional comfort for the child
by preventing running line 126 from directly contacting the child.
Because cinching portion 126 is not attached to running line 126,
cinching portion 128 may interfere minimally, if at all, with the
movement of reciprocating loop 124 along running line 126.
[0043] Reciprocating loop 124 may be sized to allow running line
126 to slide easily through and may be formed from running line 126
and/or sleeve 127. Reciprocating loop 124 may also be formed as a
separate portion that is attached to running line 126. In one
embodiment, reciprocating loop 124 may be sewn on to running line
126. Any suitable material may be used to form reciprocating loop
124; however, it is preferred to use a material having a low
coefficient of friction with the material used for running line 126
so as to facilitate cinching of the harness loop around the child's
torso.
[0044] In one embodiment, harness 120 may attach to anchor flap
attachment 210. Anchor flap attachment 210 may comprise a portion
of a side release buckle. Anchor flap attachment 210 may be
attached to any point suitable for holding a child. For example,
anchor flap attachment 210 may be attached to a carrier directly or
may be attached to a carrier using an intermediate portion such as
waist belt anchor portion 160.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, anchor flap 190 may comprise features
that include an anchor flap attachment cover 220 with attachment
cover press-fit snaps 225 (or other fastening means) for
corresponding engagement with upper anchor press-fit snaps 170 (or
other fastening means) to cover harness attachment 200 and anchor
flap attachment 210. In various embodiments, harness attachment 200
and anchor flap attachment 210 may be engaged with one another to
secure harness 120 to waist belt anchor portion 160. It will be
appreciated that harness attachment 200 and anchor flap attachment
210 may comprise any fastening means, whether now known or
hereafter described in the art. Anchor flap attachment cover 220
may provide protection from any tendency of harness attachment 200
and anchor flap attachment 210 to be unintentionally disengaged
from one another or from pinching or abrading the wearer or
child.
[0046] Anchor flap attachment 210 may be fastened to anchor flap
190 by webbing or any other fastening mechanism now known or
hereafter described in the art.
[0047] FIG. 3 depicts an infant 300 disposed within harness loop
122 prior to engagement of harness attachment 200 with anchor flap
attachment 210. In operation, harness loop 122 may be placed around
the torso of infant 300. Running line 126 may then be passed
through reciprocating loop 124, thus encircling infant 300 as shown
in FIG. 3. Infant 300 may then be placed in a child carrier and
harness attachment 200 may be connected to an attachment point,
such as anchor flap attachment 210. Other variations of use may
exist. For example, harness loop 122 may be formed by placing
harness attachment 200 through reciprocating loop 124 prior to
being placed over infant 300. Harness attachment 200 may be
attached to anchor flap attachment 210 or other attachment point
prior to placing infant 300 into harness loop 122.
[0048] Once infant 300 is encircled by harness loop 122, running
line 126 may be adjusted to fit infant 300. Running line 126 need
not be adjusted to the same size as the child's torso and may only
need to be adjusted to prevent an overly loose fit. Readjustment of
running line 126 may be performed as needed while the child is in
the carrier.
[0049] FIG. 4 depicts an infant 300 disposed within harness loop
122 after engagement of harness attachment 200 with anchor flap
attachment 210 so as to tether infant 300 to the wearer 400 of
child carrier 420. FIG. 4 also shows anchor flap webbing 430
attached to anchor flap attachment 210 for securing anchor flap
attachment 210 to anchor flap 190. In operation, a child may be
tethered to a wearer as follows. Anchor flap attachment 210 may
engage harness attachment 200. Running line 126 encircles infant
300 and may be attached to anchor flap attachment 210. Anchor flap
attachment 210 may be in turn attached to harness attachment 200.
Harness attachment 200 is attached to anchor flap webbing 430,
which is attached to anchor flap 190. Anchor flap 190 is attached
to child carrier 420 which is attached to wearer 400. Thus, infant
300 may be tethered to wearer 400.
[0050] To prevent anchor flap 190 from sliding down between the
wearer and the waistband of the carrier (e.g., when the anchor flap
is not attached to a harness), wedge 440 may be attached to anchor
flap 190. In one embodiment, wedge 440 may have a triangular
profile. Wedge 440 may comprise any suitable material, such as a
foam material.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows a child carrier harness device and system prior
to engagement of waist belt anchor portion 160 to the waistband 520
of a child carrier 530 in accordance with one embodiment. Child
carrier 530 may comprise child carrier waist belt 500, child
carrier waistband 520, child carrier waistband fastener 525, back
strap 535, and shoulder straps 540. Anchor tongues 162 may be fed
behind child carrier waistband 520 for subsequent wrap-around
secured engagement (as depicted, for example, in FIG. 6) of waist
belt anchor portion 160 to child carrier waistband 520.
Alternatively, anchor tongues 162 may be fed behind child carrier
waist belt 500 for subsequent wrap-around secured engagement of
waist belt anchor portion 160 to child carrier waist belt 500.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, anchor tongues 162
are fed behind waistband 520. Anchor tongues 162 are then wrapped
around the front of waistband 520. Anchor press-fit snaps 164 are
attached to either lower anchor press-fit snaps 166 or upper anchor
press-fit snaps 168. Anchor tongue hook-and-loop material 180 may
be engaged with lower anchor loop-and-hook material 182 or upper
anchor loop-and-hook material 184. Anchor flap 190 may then be
wrapped behind child carrier waist belt 500. Waist belt anchor
portion 160 is thus installed on child carrier 530, as shown in
FIG. 6.
[0053] As can be seen in FIG. 6, anchor flap 190 may wrap around
child carrier waist belt 500, extending around both sides of child
carrier waist belt 500.
[0054] FIG. 7 shows a child carrier harness system with an infant
300 tethered to the wearer 400 of a child carrier 530 in accordance
with one embodiment. Infant 300 is placed within child carrier 530,
between child carrier 530 and wearer 400. Anchor flap 190 may
extend above child carrier waist belt 500. Harness120 encircles
infant 300 and is connected via harness attachment 200 to anchor
flap attachment 210. Attachment cover press-fit snaps 225 may be
engaged to upper anchor press-fit snaps 170 to enclose harness
attachment 200 and anchor flap attachment 210. Running line 126 may
be adjusted at any point to fit infant 300.
[0055] While FIG. 7 shows a carrier on the front of a wearer's body
and an infant facing the wearer, the child carrier harness system
can be used in other configurations, including, but not limited to,
front carry, side carry, and rear carry with the child facing
either toward or away from the wearer. Child carrier 530 is only
one example of a child carrier that may be used with the child
carrier harness system. Many other child carriers may utilize the
child carrier harness system disclosed herein.
[0056] In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been
described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one
skilled in the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed
herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other
ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative
and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the
manner of making and using various embodiments of a child carrier
harness. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein
shown and described are to be taken as embodiments. Equivalent
elements or materials may be substituted for those illustrated and
described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may
be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as
would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the
benefit of this description of the disclosure.
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