Infant carrier

Abstract

A method and apparatus for attaching a cloth infant carrier comprising a rectangular seat section conformed in dimensions to be straddled in the manner of a diaper by the infant, having secured to the corners of one short edge thereof a pair of shoulder straps adjustable in length and attaching proximate the other short edge to corresponding attaching straps. The shoulder straps are conformed in dimension and alignment to be passed around the body of the adult and returned over the opposite shoulder for attachment with the attachment straps, such attachment straps being conformed in dimension to be passed between the body of the adult and the secured section of the shoulder strap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to infant carriers, and more particularly to carriers adapted to be suspended from the body of an adult for providing both support and restraint to an infant.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various infant carrier configurations have been known in the past, most such carriers generally falling into two distinct structural categories, i.e., either a rigid or form retaining structure or a cloth or soft membrane configuration which is tied to the structure of the adult's body. The rigid or form retaining configurations typically present a storage problem, and, while providing several beneficial aspects, are also difficult to accommodate to the various contours of the adult body and to the contours of a growing infant. The soft or contour-adaptive configuration is therefore often preferred since such configuration can be adapted to various body shapes, offers good restraint to the infant and allows for communication of the infant's motion to the body of the wearer. In the past carriers of the second category, i.e., the soft membrane or cloth type, have been typically configured in a complex multi-strap configuration, resulting in a complex structure requiring extensive adjustment and manipulation of the various straps, with the attendant difficulty in seating and securing the infant as well as difficulty in attachment of the carrier to the adult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the general purpose and object of the present invention to provide an infant carrier which is conveniently attached and adjusted and which, by virtue of its attachment, provides a secure support for the infant. Other objects of the invention are to provide an infant carrier which is easily manufactured, requiring few parts and which can be conveniently adjusted to deploy the infant at any desirable position relative the body of the adult.

These and other objects are accomplished within the present invention by providing a cloth seat section conformed in the shape of a rectangle, such seat section being cut out to a reduced width along the longitudinal edges to be straddled by the infant. The upper short edge of the seat section is attached at each corner to corresponding flexible shoulder straps, such shoulder straps being adjustable in length and respectively terminating in corresponding clip attachments. Proximate the other end, the seat section has attached thereto two substantially shorter securing straps, such securing and shoulder straps respectively extending at an angle away from the edges of the seat section. In order to provide a secure seat structure not prone to tearing or rupture, the seat section comprises two layers of cloth having the ends of the straps secured therebetween and to each other. The segment of the seat section enclosing the secured ends of the securing straps includes a third exteriorly overlaying cloth layer stitched to form a receiving pocket wherein various articles necessary for the care of the infant may be stored. The corresponding two securing straps also terminate in respective cooperating clips such that attachment thereof can be made with selected ones of the free ends of the shoulder straps. In one manner of attachment, this particular configuration is adapted to be secured to the body of the adult as an apron wherein the shoulder straps and the seat section are disposed to partly surround the frontal surface of the body of the adult and the shoulder straps are then crossed on the dorsal surface of the body to extend over the shoulders thus returning to the frontal body surface on which the seat section is disposed. The strap sections are then attached to the corresponding clips of the horizontal strap ends to form, in combination with the seat section, a diaper-like structure which is utilized to support an infant. In order to provide further securing of the infant within the infant carrier so formed, the strap sections are inserted underneath the central segments of the shoulder straps prior to attachment with the distal ends thereof. In this manner, an assembly is formed which completely encircles both the body of the infant and the adult, thereby precluding any possibility of the infant falling out of the seat. Furthermore, this manner of attachment provides convenient means of insertion and removal of the infant, such means being simply accomplished by disconnecting one strap section from the corresponding shoulder strap end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an infant carrier constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 shown with a horizontal strap being arranged in an attaching configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 arranged to support an infant; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. 3 arranged for insertion or removal of the infant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

The infant carrier, constructed according to the present invention, is adapted for various attachment positions relative the body of the adult. While so adapted, the present description shall be directed at a frontal arrangement of the infant, such arrangement being selected for purposes of description only and not to be construed as a limitation of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the infant carrier, generally designated 10, comprises a cloth seat section 11 formed in a rectangular planform, including two layers of cloth 21 and 22 stitched along the periphery to form a unitary structure. At the upper short edge the seat section 11 includes, inserted between the two cloth layers, the ends of corresponding shoulder straps 12 and 13. In order to provide for secure attachment and support, the received ends of shoulder straps 12 and 13 are aligned within the interior of seat section 11 in a crossed arrangement, being stitched in common and to both cloth surfaces thereof. This manner of attachment of straps 12 and 13 within the interior of seat section 11 provides for an angled exit of the straps relative the longitudinal edges of the section 11. Straps 12 and 13 are thus disposed to emerge from section 11 proximate the upper short edge, thus essentially connecting to the upper corners thereof. Straps 12 and 13 each further include conventional length adjusting buckles 14 and 15 being looped therefrom to terminate at the distal ends in corresponding attachment clips 16 and 17. In this manner, the length of the shoulder straps 12 and 13 can be adjusted to form a surrounding arrangement as shown in FIG. 3 around the torso of the adult wearer, extending in a crossed alignment upwardly on the opposite surface of the torso to be returned over the shoulders back towards the front.

The cloth seat section 11 is formed in a manner of a rectangular seat of doubled cloth including respectively an interior and exterior cloth surface, 21 and 22. The planform of seat section 11 is further geometrically conformed to be straddled by the legs of the infant by semicircular cutouts 23 and 24 formed in the longitudinal edges. On the distal end of cutouts 23 and 24, an additional cloth segment is over-laid on the exterior of surface 22, such cloth layer being shaped in a manner of a pocket 25. Pocket 25 is stitched around the three edges thereof and is left open on the fourth edge and is therefore adapted for receiving various articles necessary for the care of the infant. The free edge, or the unstitched edge, of pocket 25 is alinged substantially across section 11, section 11 extending therefrom to form an over-folding flap 26 for containing the articles. The segment of section 11 overlaying the pocket 25 further includes within the interior between the cloth surfaces 21 and 22 corresponding attaching or securing straps 31 and 32, straps 31 and 32 being also crossed for common stitching within the seat section 11 to again terminate on the exterior of section 11. The free ends of straps 31 and 32 also terminate in associated clips 36 and 37. The longitudinal dimensions of straps 31 and 32 are substantially less than the longitudinal dimensions of straps 12 and 13, it being intended that straps 31 and 32 provide the attachment feature only and most of the strap dimension be taken up in straps 12 and 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment of the inventive carrier is accomplished by positioning the seat section 11 in a flap 26 downward position relative either the frontal or the dorsal surface of a torso and arranging one of the shoulder straps 12 or 13, in a loop around the torso to return over the opposite shoulder of the wearer in a direction downward for attachment with the distal end of the corresponding attachment strap 31 or 32. The other shoulder strap is then arranged in a similar manner but in opposing alignment to cross the previous positioned strap on the back of the torso, thus providing a secure attachment with the torso. The attaching straps 36 and 37 may be inserted intermediate the strap 12 or 13 and the torso such that an integral encircling bag-like structure is formed within which the infant may be received. The receipt and removal of the infant can be performed by selective opening of either one of the shoulder straps and thereby forming a V-type receptacle into which one of the legs of the infant can be inserted. Following such manipulation the other attaching strap may be brought upward into alignment with the corresponding shoulder strap for attachment.

Some of the many advantages of the present invention should now be readily apparent. The invention provides in a structure requiring few elements, a positive manner of securing the infant to the torso of the adult. Furthermore, the invention provides a convenient manipulative feature through which the infant can be inserted or removed. In addition, the invention is formed of material structures which are known and therefore requires very conventional manufacturing techniques to produce a product which is inherently reliable and safe.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An infant carrier adapted to be attached to the torso of another comprising:

a flexible seat section conformed to be straddled by the infant;

a pair of flexible shoulder straps attached at the respective one ends thereof to one edge of said seat section and conformed in length to a dimension surrounding on a diagonal the torso of said another;

a pair of flexible attaching straps attached at respective one ends thereof proximate an opposed edge of said seat section;

means for selective connection of the other end of said shoulder straps with said attaching straps respectively connected to the other ends thereof;

said seat section includes a first and second flexible layer conformed in planform to a common rectangular shape having the longitudinal edges thereof disposed between said one and opposed edges, said flexible layers having received therebetween the respective one ends of said shoulder and attaching straps secured in such receiving relationship by peripheral stitching along the edges of said seat section;

said shoulder and attaching straps are received within said seat section at angles relative to the longitudinal edges of said section and said shoulder and attaching straps extend within the interior of said seat section to respective coincident geometric alignment, being secured in such position by common stitching with said first and second flexible layers;

said seat section includes a flexible pocket layer disposed in overlaying alignment over the segment of said section receiving the secured ends of said attaching straps;

said attaching straps are dimensionally conformed to align for securing with the distal ends of said shoulder straps between said shoulder straps and the torso of said another having said seat section hung therebetween.

2. An infant carrier according to claim 1 wherein:

said flexible layers are cloth and said pocket layer is secured along part of the periphery thereof to said seat section.

3. An infant carrier according to claim 1 wherein:

said shoulder straps are adjustable in length.