Counter balancing car seat carry strap with dual lock mechanisms

Abstract

A carrying device for supporting a load, such as an infant car seat, on a person is disclosed. The device comprises a primary strap that has a first end and a second end. Each end terminates in one of two cooperating parts of a primary locking mechanism. A secondary strap has a first end and a second end. The first end of the secondary strap is fixed proximate the first end of the primary strap. A secondary, redundant locking mechanism has two cooperating parts. One part being fixed to the second end of the secondary strap and the other part being fixed proximate the second end of the primary strap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/910,544, filed on Apr. 6, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to carrying straps, and more particularly to an improved car seat carrying device.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Numerous innovations for slings for infant car seats have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,680, issued on Dec. 7, 1993, to Torok teaches a carrying sling for an infant carrier or car seat. The sling uses a strap held in the hand or across the shoulder from which the occupied carrier is suspended by means of multiple support straps. The support straps contain length adjustors and buckles which allow the sling to open for loading and unloading the carrier. The support straps are also provided with means of attachment to the carrier frame.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,365, issued on Jul. 30, 1996, to LaMair teaches a shoulder strap suspension system which has been devised for infant car seats of the rigid or molded shell type, the suspension system being made up of a shoulder strap and an undercarriage which releasably surrounds the end and side walls of the car seat and serves as an anchor or support for connecting ends of the shoulder strap either in a two point or a three point suspension, and contoured hip pads are provided on either or both sides of the car seat.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,746 B1, issued on Apr. 30, 2002, to Miller teaches a sling for transporting a conventional infant carrier seat having a generally rigid body provided with a pivoted carrier handle wherein the sling includes a sling member having a padded upper segment fabricated from a length of resilient material and having an elongated slot formed therein dimensioned to receive a main strap element adapted to define a first adjustable closed loop opening wherein the main strap element is further provided with an auxiliary strap element which cooperates with the main strap element to define a second adjustable closed loop opening that capitively receives the handle of the conventional infant carrier seat.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,937 B1, issued on Apr. 30, 2002, to Faudman teaches an apparatus for the assisted portage of automobile types of infant-seats separate from an automobile that includes a coiled holder with an extensible strap that is attached to one side of the infant-seat and a screw-eye that is attached to the other side. The extensible strap includes a first end with a fastening device such as a spring clip that is attached to the screw-eye when the strap is extended out of the coiled holder and over the shoulder of a user. The extensible strap is set for any desired length and is locked at that position by the coiled holder or it is automatically retracted therein depending upon the position of a locking toggle on the coiled holder. Preferably, the coiled holder is attached to one side of a handle of the infant-seat at a pivot axis for the handle and the screw-eye is attached to the opposite side. The pivot axis is disposed proximate the center of gravity and therefore optimally supports the infant-seat. When it is draped over the shoulder and locked in position, the extensible strap is used as a shoulder strap to assist in supporting some of the weight of the infant-seat.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,071 B2, issued on Oct. 4, 2006, to Aiudi teaches a strap for carrying a load from a person's shoulder, comprising a flexible band forming a relatively larger, upper loop for passing over the person's shoulder and a relatively smaller, lower loop for attaching the load, wherein the upper and lower loops are connected to form a figure eight. The lower loop includes a buckle for opening the lower loop to receive the load and closing the lower loop to capture the load within the lower loop. Another embodiment is directed to the combination of (1) an infant seat having a base, a bedding region within the base, and a handle projecting from the base over the bedding region, and (2) a flexible band forming a relatively smaller lower loop including a buckle for opening and closing the lower loop to capture the handle, and a relatively larger, upper loop for passing over the person's shoulder, whereby the infant seat with infant therein is fully supportable from the person's shoulder when the upper loop lies over the person's shoulder.

Slings for infant car seats have been in use for years. Some currently available slings for infant car seats are, “The Cuddle Karrier”, “The Baby Lift Strap” by Creative Baby Stuff and “The Flying Falcon Car Seat Carrier”. The main problem with these connection slings is that these existing products do not comprise any type of secondary or backup locking system. In the event the connection of these slings fail during usage, either through parts fatigue or any incomplete connection, the infant car seat and child may fall.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for slings for infant car seats have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that is simple and more comfortable to use than the prior art devices.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that is collapsible into a compact size and shape so as to fit into a diaper bag, pants pocket, or other convenient place for transport.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that is easily cleaned such as by washing in a washing machine, or the like.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a carrying device for supporting a load on a person with a redundant locking mechanism. The device comprises a primary strap that has a first end and a second end. Each end terminates in one of two cooperating parts of a primary locking mechanism. A secondary strap has a first end and a second end. The first end of the secondary strap is fixed proximate the first end of the primary strap. A secondary locking mechanism has two cooperating parts. One part being fixed to the second end of the secondary strap and the other part being fixed proximate the second end of the primary strap.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the invention being installed over a shoulder of a person and through a handle of an infant car seat; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the invention completely installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention, will be discussed with reference thereto. A carrying device 10 is provided for supporting a load 20 on a person 30. The load 20 may be an infant car seat as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. The device 10 comprises a primary strap 40 that has a first end 44 and a second end 46. Each end 44, 46 terminates in one of two cooperating parts 51, 52 of a primary locking mechanism 50. A secondary strap 60 has a first end 64 and a second end 66. The first end 64 of the secondary strap 60 is fixed proximate the first end 44 of the primary strap 40. A secondary locking mechanism 70 has two cooperating parts 71, 72. One part 71 being fixed to the second end 66 of the secondary strap 60 and the other part 72 being fixed proximate the second end 46 of the primary strap 40.

The primary strap 40 and secondary strap 60 are preferably two-inch wide lengths of polypropylene webbing, typically rated at 1200 pounds of tensile strength. Alternately, the webbing may be made from nylon, or other suitably strong yet flexible material.

The primary locking mechanism 50 is preferably a two-part snap release buckle 80, while the secondary locking mechanism 70 is preferably a two-part hook-and-loop type fastener 90. The carrying device 10 may further include a shoulder pad 100 which is either slidably engaged with or fixed to the primary strap 40. The secondary strap 60 may be fixed to the primary strap 40 with a sewn thread 110, or alternately with ultrasonic welding or the like. The carrying device 10, as shown in FIG. 5, may further include a cell-phone pocket 120 which can be slidably attached to either the primary strap 40 or the secondary strap 60. The carrying device 10 may also contain an adjustable slide 130 fixed to the second end 46 of the primary strap 40 and be slidably fixed to a loop 45 thereof.

To use the carrying device 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the person 30 simply places the shoulder pad 100 that's on the primary strap 40 onto one's shoulder. The second part 52 of the primary locking mechanism 50 is inserted through a handle 25 of the infant car seat 20, or other load, which is opposite from the shoulder of the person 30. The second part 52 is then engaged with the first part 51 of the primary locking mechanism 50. The first part 71 and the second part 72 of the secondary locking mechanism 70 are then connected together. When the person 30 utilizes the primary locking mechanism 50 in conjunction with the secondary locking mechanism 70 in the carrying device 10, it makes the person 30 feel a greater level of confidence and security during the transportation of the infant in the infant carrying seat outside of a vehicle, knowing that either the primary locking mechanism 50 or the secondary locking mechanism 70 each independently can support the load 20 should one of the locking mechanism 50,70 fail.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a carrying device, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the scope of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A carrying device for supporting a load on a person, the device comprising:

a primary strap having a first end and a second end, each end terminating in one of two cooperating parts of a primary locking means;

a secondary strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the secondary strap fixed proximate the first end of the primary strap;

a secondary locking means having two cooperating parts, one part being fixed to the second end of the secondary strap and the other part being fixed proximate the second end of the primary strap.

2. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the primary locking means is a two-part snap release buckle.

3. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the secondary locking means is a two-part hook-and-loop type fastener.

4. The carrying device of claim 1 further including a shoulder pad fixed to the primary strap.

5. The carrying device of claim 4 wherein the shoulder pad is slidably fixed to the primary strap.

6. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the secondary strap is fixed to the primary strap with a sewn thread.

7. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the secondary strap is fixed to the primary strap with ultrasonic welding.

8. The carrying device of claim 1 further including a cell-phone pocket slidably attachable to either the primary strap or the secondary strap.

9. The carrying device for supporting a load on a person, the device comprising:

a primary strap having a first end and a second end, the first end terminating in one of two cooperating parts of a primary locking means, the second cooperating part being slidably fixed to the primary strap proximate the second end thereof,

an adjustable slide fixed to the second end of the primary strap and slidably fixed to a loop thereof,

a secondary strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the secondary strap fixed proximate the first end of the primary strap;

a secondary locking means having two cooperating parts, one part being fixed to the second end of the secondary strap and the other part being fixed proximate the second end of the primary strap.

10. The carrying device of claim 9 wherein the primary locking means is a two-part snap release buckle.

11. The carrying device of claim 9 wherein the secondary locking means is a two-part hook-and-loop type fastener.

12. The carrying device of claim 9 further including a shoulder pad fixed to the primary strap.

13. The carrying device of claim 9 wherein the shoulder pad is slidably fixed to the primary strap.

14. The carrying device of claim 9 wherein the secondary strap is fixed to the primary strap with a sewn thread.

15. The carrying device of claim 9 wherein the secondary strap is fixed to the primary strap with ultrasonic welding.

16. The carry device of claim 9 further including a cell-phone pocket slidably attachable to either the primary strap or the secondary strap.