Infant carrier
An infant carrier includes a body and a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points. The body includes a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel. The infant carrier also includes at least one fastener on the body. The fastener is configured to releasably couple the infant carrier to a stroller.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/617,658, filed Oct. 13, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an infant carrier that can be carried by a caregiver and that can be placed in a mechanical or other conveyance, such as a stroller or an infant car seat. More specifically, this invention relates to an infant carrier that can be carried by a caregiver across the caregiver's shoulders and that can be releasably coupled to a stroller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONInfant carriers generally provide a soft cocoon-like child containment area in which an infant can be placed. Certain conventional infant carriers can be worn by a caregiver across the caregiver's shoulders. These infant carriers can be designed to hold the infant in an upright position or to allow the infant to lie in a horizontal or slightly angled position. Infants often fall asleep in both vertical and horizontal infant carriers. When the caregiver is no longer able to carry the infant in the infant carrier, for example, if the caregiver becomes weary under the combined weight of the infant and the infant carrier, the infant generally must be removed from the infant carrier and buckled, or otherwise secured, in a different conveyance, such as a stroller. Moving the infant from the infant carrier to the conveyance, however, often awakens the infant.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an infant carrier that is capable of being worn by a caregiver and that can be securely and releasably coupled to a child conveyance, such as a stroller, without removing the infant from the infant carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the invention relates to an infant carrier that includes a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel; a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points; and at least one fastener on the body, the at least one fastener configured to releasably couple the infant carrier to a stroller.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a child product comprising an infant carrier and a stroller. The infant carrier includes a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel, a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points, and at least one carrier fastener on the body, The stroller includes at least one stroller fastener. The at least one carrier fastener is configured to releasably couple to the at least one stroller fastener.
Another aspect of the invention relates to an infant carrier that includes a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel, the side wall including a head panel and first and second side panels; a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points; and first and second fasteners on the first and second side panels, respectively, to releasably couple the infant carrier to a stroller.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
As shown in
The side wall 120 can be non-rigid. The side wall 120 can be moved or flexed relative to the bottom panel 112. For example, the non-rigid side wall 120 can conform to the contour of the caregiver. In addition, the non-rigid characteristic of the side wall 120 enables the side wall 120 to fold toward the bottom panel 110 for storage.
The side wall 120 can include a head panel 122, first and second side panels 124, 126 on opposite sides of the bottom panel 112, and a foot panel 128. The head panel 122, first and second side panels 124, 126, and foot panel 128 may form a continuous side wall 120, as shown in
The bottom panel 112 generally can include a head portion 113 and a foot portion 115. When an infant is placed on the bottom panel 112, the infant's head can rest on the head portion 113 of the bottom panel 112, and the infant's lower body can rest on the foot portion 115.
The head portion 113 of the bottom panel 112 may include padding to serve as a soft head support for the infant. Additionally, any other portion of the bottom panel 112 or side wall 120 may include padding for increased comfort.
As shown in
As mentioned above, the infant carrier 100 includes a strap 130. The strap 130 is sized so that a caregiver can wear the infant carrier 100 across the caregiver's shoulder(s) and/or neck, as shown in
The strap 130 is configured to be worn by a caregiver such that the caregiver can carry the infant carrier 100 either in a horizontal or in an angled position. The strap 130, when worn by a caregiver, can be positioned over one shoulder and behind the caregiver's neck and arm, such that the carrier 100 is in a sling-like position. The strap 130 is non-rigid. Accordingly, when the infant carrier 100 is not being worn by a caregiver, the caregiver can position or tuck the strap 130 alongside the outer surface of either side panel 124, 126 or under the bottom panel 112, away from an infant in the infant carrier 100.
The infant carrier 100 can be releasably coupled to the stroller 40 by a fastener arrangement 140. The fastener arrangement 140 may include snaps, zippers, buckles, Velcro®, J-hook and D-ring, belts and slits in fabric, or any other suitable type of fastening elements. The fastener arrangement 140 includes at least one carrier fastener 143 on the carrier 100 and at least one stroller fastener 144 on the stroller 40 configured to releasably couple to the at least one carrier fastener 143. For example, the carrier fastener can be any of a J-hook, snap, buckle, Velcro®, zipper, or any other suitable fastener, and the stroller fastener can be a corresponding D-ring, snap, latch, Velcro®, zipper, or any other suitable fastener, respectively, to mate with the carrier fastener. In the illustrated embodiment of
When not in use, the carrier fasteners 143 may be covered by a fastener cover. For example, as shown in
The infant carrier 100 can include a child restraint system 150 to secure an infant to the infant carrier body 110.
The restraint panel 152 can be connected to the foot panel 128 and can be positioned between an infant's legs. The buckle 154 is attached to the restraint panel 152 near an infant's waist. The buckle 154 includes a release button 155 to release the latches 160, 161.
The waist straps 162, 163 can be connected to the first and second side panels 124, 126, respectively. The latches 160, 161 releasably couple the waist straps 162, 163 to the buckle 152 and can include adjusters to adjust the length of the waist straps 162, 163.
The first and second shoulder straps 171, 172 can be releasably coupled to the buckle 154 via the first and second shoulder strap connectors 173, 174. One end of the shoulder straps 171, 172 can be attached to the bottom panel 112 of the carrier body 110, and the other end of the shoulder straps 171, 172 can couple to shoulder strap connectors 173, 174. The shoulder strap connectors 173, 174 each include a passage (not shown) for receiving a locking rod 164 on the latches 160, 161, as shown in
The leg strap 156 is threaded under a band 157 of the panel 152 formed by two slits 153. The leg strap 156 can be attached at one end to the foot panel 128 and at a second end to the buckle 152. The leg strap 156 includes a leg strap adjuster 158 to adjust the length of the leg strap 156. By adjusting the length of the leg strap 156, the position of the restraint panel 152 can be altered to allow for infants of varying sizes to fit in the infant carrier 100.
To buckle an infant into the infant carrier 100, the restraint panel 152 is positioned between the infant's legs and over the waist area of the infant. The leg strap 156 is adjusted to the appropriate length according to the length of the infant. The shoulder straps 171, 172 are positioned over the infant's shoulders and adjusted for appropriate length. The locking rods 164 of the latches 160, 161 are inserted into the passages in the shoulder strap connectors 173, 174, and the latches 160, 161 are inserted into and coupled to the buckle 152. To unbuckle the infant, the release button 155 is depressed, the latches 160, 161 are removed from the buckle 154, and the shoulder strap connectors 173, 174 are uncoupled from the locking rods 164.
The body 210 includes a bottom panel 212 and a side wall 220. The bottom panel can include a head portion 213 and a foot portion 215. The side wall 220 can include a head panel 222 and opposing first and second side panels 224, 226 to define a continuous wall.
The strap 230 can be releasably attached at one end 232 to the head panel 222 and releasably attached at a second end 233 to the foot portion 215 of the bottom panel 212. The strap 230 could include additional attachment locations. The strap 230 can be detached from the carrier 200 at the first and second ends 232, 233. The strap 230 may be a rigid or a non-rigid structure.
The carrier fasteners 240 can be positioned on an outer surface of the side panels 224, 226 and are configured to couple with stroller fasteners 144 on a stroller 40 in a manner similar to that described for the embodiment of
The child restraint system 250 can be a 3-point restraint system. The child restraint system 250 can include a restraint panel 252 attached to a foot portion 215 of the bottom panel 212, for example, adjacent to the second end 233 of the strap 230. The restraint panel 252 can include an opening 253 for receiving latches (not shown) of waist straps 262, 263. A buckle (not shown) is positioned inside the opening 253. The buckle includes a release button 255 positioned on the restraint panel 252 such that, upon depressing the button 255, the latches can be released.
It will be recognized that the infant carrier can be fit in and releasably coupled to various suitable child conveyances or containment structures. For example, the infant carrier may be releasably coupled with an infant car seat, a bassinet, or other suitable child conveyances or containment structures. Furthermore, the infant carrier may be coupled or mounted to many different types of strollers other than that shown in
The infant carrier can provide a soft, comfortable child containment area for an infant that can fit within the confines of a hard-shelled stroller, infant car seat, or other conveyance or containment structure. It will be recognized that the infant car seat can be made of any suitable material, such as fabrics, resilient foams, and fiberfills. For example, the outer surfaces of the carrier body, such as the outer surfaces of the side panels 124, 126, may comprise a durable textured material or a durable textile such as woven polyester or nylons. The inner surfaces of the carrier body, such as the inner surfaces of the side panels 124, 126, may comprise a soft, possibly breathable fabric, such as knits, textured wovens, non-wovens, napped or terry type fibers, velour terry, cotton knits, soft textured double knits, soft mesh knits or jersey knits. Fillings of washable resilient materials, such as foams and fiberfills, can be present between the inner surfaces and the outer surfaces of the carrier body. The strap 130 may comprise a soft, but sturdy, inner material and a durable outer material. The lining of the strap 130 can be soft foam and polyester for comfort. Of course, any other suitable material may be used. Further, portions of, or the entirety of, the carrier body may comprise a memory foam, such as GracoPedic memory foam. The memory foam can minimize pressure points and enhance infant comfort. The materials can all be made of washable and dryable material. Further, the fasteners 140, the buckle 152, and other parts of the infant carrier may comprise plastics or metals.
The carrier body may also include ventilated areas. For exemplary purposes only, the darkened or shaded areas of the carrier body shown in the above described figures may be replaced with a mesh or other porous ventilation material or through holes to allow air to flow through the infant carrier. As another example, the carrier body 110 may include inner breathing mesh strips at a point where the bottom panel 112 joins the side wall 120 in the upper half of the carrier 100 to provide increased air flow to the infant.
It will be recognized that the infant carrier may also be oriented in a vertical position, as opposed to the horizontal position shown in the figures. An infant carrier designed to be oriented in a vertical position could include additional straps and infant surround panels. Such a vertically-oriented infant carrier can be used to carry infants of higher weight and age ranges than a horizontally-oriented infant carrier. Further, the infant carrier could be adapted to incorporate a separate harness system worn by the caregiver, which provides a complete carrier system.
The preferred embodiments have been set forth herein for the purpose of illustration. This description, however, should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the claimed inventive concept. The true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.
Claims
1. An infant carrier comprising:
- a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel;
- a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points; and
- at least one fastener on the body, the at least one fastener configured to releasably couple the infant carrier to a stroller.
2. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the side wall includes first and second side panels on opposite sides of the bottom panel, and the at least one fastener includes a first fastener on the first side panel and a second fastener on the second side panel.
3. The infant carrier according to claim 2, wherein the first and second fasteners are located on outer surfaces of the first and second side panels, respectively.
4. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a J-hook.
5. The infant carrier according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener cover to cover the at least one fastener when not in use.
6. The infant carrier according to claim 5, further comprising a child restraint system that is connected to the body and that includes at least one waist strap, wherein the at least one fastener cover comprises a strap extension of the at least one waist strap to cover the at least one fastener when not in use.
7. The infant carrier according to claim 5, wherein the at least one fastener cover comprises a pocket formed in the body to cover the at least one fastener when not in use.
8. The infant carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a child restraint system connected to the body.
9. The infant carrier according to claim 2, wherein the side wall further includes a head panel.
10. The infant carrier according to claim 9, wherein the first and second side panels and the head panel define a continuous wall.
11. The infant carrier according to claim 9, wherein the side wall further comprises a foot panel.
12. The infant carrier according to claim 11, wherein the first and second side panels, the head panel, and the foot panel define a continuous wall.
13. The infant carrier according to claim 11, wherein the strap is connected to the head panel and to the foot panel.
14. The infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the strap connects to the head panel at a single attachment point.
15. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the strap is releasably connected to the body at one of the at least two attachment points.
16. A child product comprising:
- an infant carrier comprising: a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel, a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points, and at least one carrier fastener on the body; and
- a stroller including at least one stroller fastener,
- wherein the at least one carrier fastener is configured to releasably couple to the at least one stroller fastener.
17. The child product according to claim 16, wherein the side wall includes first and second side panels on opposite sides of the bottom panel, and the at least one carrier fastener includes a first carrier fastener on the first side panel and a second carrier fastener on the second side panel.
18. The child product according to claim 17, wherein the first and second carrier fasteners are located on outer surfaces of the first and second side panels, respectively.
19. The child product according to claim 16, wherein the at least one carrier fastener comprises a J-hook, and the at least one stroller fastener comprises a D-ring to releasably couple with the J-hook.
20. The child product according to claim 16, further comprising at least one fastener cover to cover the at least one carrier fastener when not in use.
21. The child product according to claim 20, further comprising a child restraint system that is connected to the body and that includes at least one waist strap, wherein the at least one carrier fastener cover comprises a strap extension of the at least one waist strap to cover the at least one carrier fastener when not in use.
22. The child product according to claim 20, wherein the at least one carrier fastener cover comprises a pocket formed in the body to cover the at least one carrier fastener when not in use.
23. The child product according to claim 16, further comprising a child restraint system connected to the body.
24. The child product according to claim 17, wherein the side wall further includes a head panel.
25. The child product according to claim 24, wherein the first and second side panels and the head panel define a continuous wall.
26. The child product according to claim 24, wherein the side wall further comprises a foot panel.
27. The child product according to claim 26, wherein the first and second side panels, the head panel, and the foot panel define a continuous wall.
28. The child product according to claim 26, wherein the strap is connected to the head panel and to the foot panel.
29. The child product to claim 28, wherein the strap connects to the head panel at a single attachment point.
30. The child product according to claim 16, wherein the strap is releasably connected to the body at one of the at least two attachment points.
31. An infant carrier comprising:
- a body including a bottom panel and a non-rigid side wall having a lower edge connected to the bottom panel, the side wall including a head panel and first and second side panels;
- a strap connected to the body at at least two attachment points; and
- first and second fasteners on the first and second side panels, respectively, to releasably couple the infant carrier to a stroller.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 29, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Marguerite Caton (Downingtown, PA), Kara Cooley (Mid Levels), Sharon Griffiths (Reading, PA)
Application Number: 11/247,593
International Classification: A47C 1/08 (20060101);