Carrier System and Method of Use

Abstract

A carrier system and method of use of same are disclosed. The carrier system comprises (1) a central receiving body configured to receive the buttocks of a small child or other individual, wherein the central receiving body has substantially four diagonal sides, two top diagonal sides and two bottom diagonal sides; (2) two shoulder panels, a left and right shoulder panel, extending from the top diagonal sides on the central receiving body; and (3) two thigh panels, a left and right thigh panel, extending from the bottom diagonal sides of the central receiving body; wherein the left shoulder panel is configured to attach to the left thigh panel via a buckle creating a first hole wherein the first hole is configured to receive a left leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the left leg will rest upon the left thigh panel; wherein the right shoulder panel is configured to attach to the right thigh panel creating a second hole wherein the second hole is configured to receive the right leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the right leg will rest upon the right thigh panel.

Description

FIELD

This technology relates generally to a child carrier system and method of use. More particularly, this technology relates to a lightweight, portable carrier system used to transport children ages two to four years old on the back of an adult.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/191,694 entitled “Carrier System and Method of Use” filed on Jul. 13, 2015 and incorporates such reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Transporting children, namely children ages two to four years old, in and through various cities and venues is often a difficult and stressful task. Public transportation (such as subways and buses), airports, zoos, museums and malls are examples of places which are often crowded and thus not friendly to transporting children. Children, as compared to infants, typically weigh between thirty to fifty pounds and are often too heavy and cumbersome for their care givers to carry but too young to walk on their own safely and quickly. Allowing a child at such age to walk beside the caregiver is often unsafe because the child may wander off and get lost. Also, allowing a two to four year old child to walk beside his/her caregiver often forces the caregiver to move at a much slower pace thus, wreaking havoc on a care giver's schedule. Thus, it is common for caregivers to transport the child in a stroller. By using a stroller which typically utilizes a buckle system, the care giver can transport the child safely and quickly.

Unfortunately, transporting a child via a stroller has its difficulties. Strollers are cumbersome and awkward. Strollers can be difficult to use in airports and in crowded subways and/or buses due to the strollers size and added weight. Strollers are difficult to maneuver in places involving large crowds such as malls and theme parks; and strollers are difficult to maneuver on gravel and/or other non-paved roads and walkways. The added weight and burden (and often added cost) of traveling with a stroller creates a need for an alternative system and method for transporting children.

There is a need for carrier system and method of use that is both light weight and easy to use. Additionally, there is a need for a carrier system and method of use that is easily portable and recommended for use in crowded environments. Moreover, there is a need for a carrier system and method of use that may be used when the child is fatigued and does not want to walk and/or when the parents needs both arms free but needs to secure and carry the child.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child carrier system according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the components child carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the components of the child carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the components of the child carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the components of the child carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a components of the child carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the child carrier system of FIG. 1, wherein the child carrier system is depicted in the carrying position where the system is attached to the shoulders of a phantom wearer who will be transporting a child.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the child carrier system of FIG. 1, wherein the child carrier system is depicted in the carrying position where the system is attached to the shoulders of a phantom wearer. Additionally, a phantom child is shown in the child carrier system.

FIGS. 9A to 9E, are a series of views depicting the method of use of the child carrier system according to one example embodiment. FIG. 9A depicts the child carrier system inside its small bag or pouch. FIG. 9B depicts the carrier system being applied to a child. FIG. 9C depicts the carrier system being fastened to a child. FIG. 9D depicts the adult assembling the shoulder panels of the carrier. FIG. 9D depicts the child carrier system in use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the child carrier system of FIG. 1 wherein the child carrier system is unassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, a carrier system 100 and method of use are disclosed. More particularly, a lightweight, portable carrier system 100 used to transport children, typically ages two to four years old, on the back of an adult is disclosed herein. The portable carrier system 100 may also be used to carry children older than four years old as well as adult-sized individuals. The structure and placement of the carrier system 100 enables most adults, independent of their physical strength of the adult, to carry a small child or other larger individual in the carrier system. In one example embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be used to carry the child or other individual seated in an upright carrying position on the back of the adult.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be made from lightweight materials that are breathable and durable allowing for maximum comfort during use. In one embodiment, the child carrier system 100 may be made of a combination of materials such as nylon and polyester, but any other materials may be used as desired by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may comprise padding, such as foam padding, to provide additional comfort to both the individual being carried and the carrier.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 is portable and may be used anywhere a child may be transported. In particular, the child carrier system 100 may be used on any form of public transportation, such as subway or bus. It may also be used in crowded environments such as malls, amusement parks and airport, or anywhere where strollers are commonly used.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, in one embodiment, the carrier system 100 comprises a central receiving body 200 configured to receive the buttocks of a small child 110 or other individual. The central receiving body 200 may be slightly diamond shape having substantially four diagonal sides 210, 220, 230, and 240. Two shoulder panels, a left 250 and right 260 shoulder panel, extend from the top diagonal sides 210, 220 on the central receiving body 200. Two thigh panels, a left 270 and right 280 thigh panel, extend from the bottom diagonal sides 230, 240 of the central receiving body 200. Upon assembly, the left shoulder panel 250 is attached to the left thigh panel 270 via a buckle 300 creating a first hole wherein the first hole is configured to receive a left leg of the individual 110 being carried wherein the thigh of the left leg will rest upon the left thigh panel. Upon assembly, the right shoulder panel 260 may be attached to the right thigh panel 280 creating a second hole wherein the second hole is configured to receive the right leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the right leg will rest upon the right thigh panel. The left shoulder panel 250 may be attached to left thigh panel 270 with adjustable buckle and strap attachment 300. The right shoulder panel 260 may be attached to right thigh panel 280 with adjustable buckle and strap 300. In one embodiment, right shoulder panel 260 may be secured to the left shoulder panel 250 with adjustable buckle and strap 370.

In one embodiment, the central receiving body 200 is contiguous to mesh or fabric panels which create a padded receiving body 340 and add comfort to the child 110 or individual being carried.

In one embodiment, each shoulder panel 250, 260 comprises a chest or sternum strap 310 extending from the outside edge of each shoulder panel. In one embodiment, each chest strap 310 is about two to four inches in length and about one to two inches in width. The dimensions of the chest straps 310 may vary as desired by one of skill in the art. Upon assembly of the carrier system 100, and once an individual is placed into the receiving body of the carrier, the chest straps 310 are configured to attach around the chest of the carried child or individual. The chest straps 310 may be attached with Velcro, but any other means of attachment may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be folded and stored in a small pouch 320 or bag when not in use, see FIG. 9A. Such storage allows the carrier system 100 to be placed into a purse or other bag, or even the pocket of a user. Such storage allows carrier system to accompany a user to any location to assist with the transport of a small child or other individual when needed. In one example embodiment, the pouch 320 may be attached to the carrier system and is configured to carry small items such as cellphone, wallet, keys, etc. Such pouch 320 may be located at any location on the carrier system including but not limited to the central receiving body, the shoulder straps or the thigh straps.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may also be used to transport older individuals who are unable to walk or who may need assistance walking. In particular, the carrier system 100 may be used to transport older individuals during emergency situations, such as an emergency evacuation of assisted living homes, hospital, rehabilitation facilities or any other type establishment occupied by individuals, of any size, that may need assistance with mobility.

Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9E, a method of using the child carrier system 100 is disclosed. Upon use, the carrier system 100 is removed from its small bag or pouch 320 within which it may be stored. Then each shoulder panel is attached to its corresponding thigh panel if not already attached. The legs of the child or individual to be carried are inserted into the left and right holes created upon attachment of the shoulder panels to the thigh panels. The chest straps 310 are assembled across the chest of the carried individual. With his/her back facing the individual to be carried, the user who will be carrying the child or other individual inserts his/her left arm and shoulder into the left hole and his/her right arm and shoulder into the right arm. The shoulder panels should be resting on the shoulders of the carrier. The user may then stand up and adjust the location of the shoulder panels if needed via the strap and buckle attachments located at the ends of the shoulder and thigh panels. The individual being carried should be in a upright position on the back of the individual wearing the carrier system on his/her shoulders.

The carrier system 100 allows various height positions depending on the height of the care giver as well as the height and weight of the child.

In one example embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be color coded to allow for any assembly.

The description and illustrations are by way of example only. While the description above makes reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is not limited to the specific details, representative embodiments, and illustrated examples in this description.

Claims

1. A carrier system comprising (1) a central receiving body configured to receive the buttocks of a small child or other individual, wherein the central receiving body has substantially four diagonal sides, two top diagonal sides and two bottom diagonal sides, wherein the central receiving body is contiguous to mesh or fabric panels which create a padded receiving body; (2) two shoulder panels, a left and right shoulder panel, extending from the top diagonal sides on the central receiving body; and (3) two thigh panels, a left and right thigh panel, extending from the bottom diagonal sides of the central receiving body; wherein the left shoulder panel is configured to attach to the left thigh panel via a buckle creating a first hole wherein the first hole is configured to receive a left leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the left leg will rest upon the left thigh panel; wherein the right shoulder panel is configured to attach to the right thigh panel creating a second hole wherein the second hole is configured to receive the right leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the right leg will rest upon the right thigh panel.

2. The carrier system of claim 1 wherein the left shoulder panel is configured to attach to left thigh panel with an adjustable buckle and strap attachment and wherein the right shoulder panel is configured to attach to right thigh panel with adjustable buckle and strap.

3. The carrier system of claim 1 wherein each shoulder panel comprises a chest or sternum strap extending from the outside edge of each shoulder strap, wherein the chest straps are configured to attach around the chest of the carried child or individual.

4. The carrier system of claim 1 wherein the carrier system comprises a pouch configured to store the carrier system.

5. A method of using the child carrier system comprising the following steps: (1) removing the carrier system from its small bag or pouch within which it may be stored; (2) attaching each shoulder panel to its corresponding thigh panel if not already attached; (3) inserting the legs of the child or individual to be carried into the left and right holes created upon attachment of the shoulder panels to the thigh panels; (4) assembling the chest straps across the chest of the carried individual (5) resting the shoulder panels on the shoulders of the user carrying the child or other individual by facing his/her back to the individual to be carried and inserting his/her left arm and shoulder into the left hole and his/her right arm and shoulder into the right arm; and (6) adjusting the location of the shoulder panels if needed via the strap and buckle attachments located at the ends of the shoulder and thigh panels.