INFANT SLING AND HIP CARRIER
An infant sling carrier having a breathable mesh fabric, elastic retaining members along opposite edges of the carrier, a padded weight distribution strap assembly and a removable infant support.
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The present application is a utility conversion of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/148,262 filed 29 Jan. 2009, for INFANT SLING AND HIP CARRIER, by Lynn Rosen and Cynthia R. Nelson and herein incorporated by reference.
The present apparatus relates to an infant sling carrier and more particularly relates to a novel and improved infant sling carrier having a breathable mesh fabric and a removable infant support that is versatile and adapted to support a toddler in different positions.
BACKGROUND AND FIELDInfants are often carried next to the body of an adult in a form of sling and many slings have been designed to accomplish this result while attempting to minimize the stress and fatigue that can result from carrying an infant. Often the infant is crowded or unable to move in many slings. Further, the slings are often uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time due to uneven weight distribution of the infant.
The present sling and hip carrier has been devised in which the carrier has an elongated pouch member having at least two layers of stretchable mesh fabric, the pouch member having opposite, upwardly extending side panels with upper, stretchable retaining members, and a strap assembly extending downwardly from one shoulder across the front and back of a wearer's torso, the assembly connected to the pouch member at opposite terminal ends and having an adjustable releasable securing member. A toddler may also be seated within the pouch or straddle it with the toddler's legs oriented on opposite sides of the pouch. An infant support pad with a 3 point T-strap is removably inserted within the pouch providing additional support for young infants.
The above and other advantages and features will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of different embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring in detail to the drawings, there is illustrated in
Terminal ends 16 of each of the surrounding members 21 including the elastic bands 22 are connected to the opposite ends 24 and 26. The end 24 includes a first mesh layer 41 that is continuous from the mesh layer 17 and a second solid layer 43 that preferably includes padding 45 therein and extending upwardly to form a strap assembly 27. The second solid layer is preferably a lightweight, machine washable, durable fabric. The end 26 is made up of dual solid layers 47 and 49 containing padding 51, also extending upwardly to form a secondary strap member 34. The strap assembly 27, including a primary padded strap member 29 and a secondary strap member 34 is adapted to extend downwardly from one shoulder of the wearer, across the front and back of the wearer's torso so that the infant or toddler can be supported in a prone position, sitting position or the toddler may be placed in a position straddling the pouch member 23 whereby the toddler's legs are placed on opposite sides of the pouch member 23 and the toddler is partially supported on the hip of the wearer. This is shown by way of example, and not limitation, in
The primary strap member 29 is connected to a buckle member 32 which is designed to allow pass through of the secondary strap member 34 which is of a length sufficient to allow passage of a terminal end 18 through the buckle member 32 to provide for an adjustable strap. The sling may then be adjusted for comfort of the user. Other forms of adjustment members may be used as well such as a hook and loop closure member, snap assembly or any other type of securing member that preferably allows for adjustment. The buckle member 32 also allows for single hand adjustment of the shoulder strap assembly 27. Opposite ends 38 and 40 of the strap assembly 27 are continuous and are secured at the opposite ends 24 and 26 of the pouch 23. The end 24 is slightly tapered at the lower end 57 of the primary strap member 29. The opposite end 26 is also slightly tapered and terminates in a connection point 59 with the secondary strap member 32. The positioning of the opposite ends 24 and 26 as well as the inclusion of the mesh material allows for optimum positioning of the infant and even distribution of the infant's weight. Further, the configuration of the ends 24 and 26 aid in preventing an infant from slipping down in the pouch resulting in an uncomfortable positioning of the infant.
The sling 11 includes an infant support member 35 as shown in detail in
In use, the infant may be placed in a prone position within the pouch 23 and secured with the infant support member, allowing for optimal positioning and securing of the infant. If desired, the strap assembly 27 may be adjusted and positioned to provide privacy, allowing for nursing of an infant while in the sling. Once an infant has reached a certain stage and is capable of self-supporting, the infant or toddler may also be placed in the pouch 23, but in a different manner. The toddler or older infant may be placed in an upright, sitting position in the sling 11 with the rear portion of their body being supported by the pouch 23 as shown in
It is therefore to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made within the principles of the embodiments to the full extend indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms and reasonable equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. In an infant carrier, comprising,
- an elongated pouch member having at least one layer of stretchable mesh fabric;
- said pouch member having opposite, upwardly extending side panels with upper, stretchable retaining members; and
- a strap assembly extending downwardly from one shoulder across the front and back of a wearer's torso, said assembly connected to said pouch member at opposite terminal ends and having an adjustable releasable securing member.
2. In the infant carrier according to claim 1 wherein said retaining members span a partial length of each said side panels.
3. In the infant carrier according to claim 1 wherein said elongated pouch member terminates at a first end with a broad padded strap portion and at an opposite second end with a slightly tapered secondary strap portion.
4. In the infant carrier according to claim 3 wherein said broad padded strap portion is adapted to extend downwardly and partially span one shoulder and across the front of the wearer's torso.
5. In the infant carrier according to claim 1 wherein said retaining members are elasticized and padded.
6. The infant carrier according to claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a harness support that is releasably secured within said pouch member.
7. The infant carrier according to claim 6 wherein said harness support is adapted to aid in elevation of an infant's head within said carrier.
8. In an infant support sling comprising,
- a cradling member having upwardly extending opposite side members terminating in edge portions having an elastic member and a padded member;
- said cradling member having upwardly extending opposite end members with terminal ends non-releasably secured to opposite ends of an adjustable shoulder strap, said shoulder strap extending downwardly from one shoulder of the wearer and across the front and back of the wearer's torso; and
- means for providing additional support to the infant within said cradling member.
9. The infant support sling according to claim 8 wherein said cradling member is comprised of at least one layer of breathable mesh material.
10. The infant support sling according to claim 8 wherein said edge portions comprise a fabric encased padded, elastic band spanning the greater length of opposite edge portions of said cradling member.
11. The infant support sling according to claim 8 wherein said additional support means includes a padded body support and harness system.
12. The infant support sling according to claim 8 wherein said additional support means is releasably secured to a lower portion of said cradling member.
13. The infant support sling according to claim 8 wherein said shoulder strap is adapted for single hand adjustment.
14. The infant support sling according to claim 8 wherein said cradling member includes a pocket member.
15. An infant carrier comprising in combination a shoulder strap extending downwardly from one shoulder across the front and back of the wearer's torso; a pouch member comprising dual layers, at least one of said layers comprising a breathable mesh fabric, said pouch member having opposite upwardly extending first and second ends and opposite upwardly extending first and second sides;
- said first and second sides having outer edges encasing a stretchable member;
- a removable, padded infant head and body support for placement within said pouch member; and
- means for suspending said pouch member from opposite lower ends of said shoulder strap at or near a side of the torso opposite to the one shoulder.
16. The infant carrier according to claim 15 wherein said stretchable member is in spaced relation to said first and second ends.
17. The infant carrier according to claim 15 wherein said infant head and body support is releasably secured to said dual layers of said pouch member.
18. The infant carrier according to claim 15 wherein said suspension means includes a buckle member and is adapted for single hand adjustment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 28, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 29, 2010
Applicant: GOLD BUG, INC. (Aurora, CO)
Inventors: Lynn Rosen (Parker, CO), Cynthia R. Nelson (Longmont, CO)
Application Number: 12/695,956
International Classification: A47D 13/02 (20060101);