Baby Nursing Carrier with Removable Liner

Abstract

The hands free baby carrier provides a carriage assembly and a one piece back support harness assembly. The carriage assembly comprises a frontal piece, torso support and an adjustable carriage pocket. The carrier further comprises frontal straps, shoulder straps and strap adjusters for enabling the carrier to be adjusted relative to the user.

Description

This application entitled “Baby Nursing Carrier with Removable Liner” is a continuation in-part of application Ser. No. 12/655,607, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 12, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a baby carrier. More particularly, the present invention relates to a baby carrier configured to enable a user to breast feed a baby hands free.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baby carriers are generally known in the art. Generally, during the breastfeeding process, babies prefer to be held close to his/her mother. In such a position, a bonding experience is shared between the mother and the infant. Typically, the breastfeeding process requires that the mother hold the infant securely in a generally lateral nursing position, close to the mother's breast. As such, this type of positioning generally requires both of the mother's hands to support the infant. Unfortunately, if the mother is nursing, and standing, or moving around, holding the infant in the proper lateral nursing position can be tiring to the mother because most of the infant's weight is forced on the mother's arms and lower back.

Since both of the mother's hands are being utilized to hold and support the breastfeeding infant, in the proper lateral position, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a nursing mother to accomplish anything else, because her hands are occupied supporting the infant. The present invention provides a hands free baby carrier which supports the baby in a proper lateral position, while enabling the mother to have her hands and arms free to perform other tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hands free baby carrier provides a carriage assembly and a one piece back support harness assembly. The carriage assembly comprises a frontal piece, torso support and an adjustable carriage pocket. The carrier further comprises frontal straps, shoulder straps and strap adjusters for enabling the carrier to be adjusted relative to the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the carrier further comprises a webbing strap extending through openings in the back support harness and torso support respectively, for enabling the carrier to be removably fastened to the user's mid-section.

In one embodiment, the carrier comprises netting formed on the outer edges of the carriage pocket, torso support and frontal piece, for enabling air to pass into and out of the pocket to the infant.

In one embodiment, the carrier comprises one or more support strips formed on the outer portion of the frontal piece to provide additional support to the carriage assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate several views of the hands free nursing carrier wherein:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the hands free nursing baby carrier adjusted in an upward position, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an open view of the hands free nursing baby carrier exposing the torso support waist band and the interior of the carrier;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hands free nursing baby carrier; and,

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the carrier illustrating back support and shoulder strap harness with webbing fed through the bottom of the harness.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. Referring now to the figures, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 the hands-free nursing carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention.

The carrier 100 has a novel, generally lateral configuration, adjustable to a user's body and capable of supporting an infant in the user's chest region for nursing. The carrier 100 is a unitary piece and non-detachable body. It is contemplated that the carrier 100 comprises soft 68% cotton/32% polyester blended, double face quilted fabric for comfort, durability, and machine washing. Notably, it is contemplated that the carrier 100 can be constructed with other materials conducive for carrying a baby, and providing support and comfort, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The carrier 100 generally comprises a carriage assembly 200 as shown in FIGS. 1-3, and a one piece back support harness assembly 300, as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a frontal perspective view of the hands free nursing baby carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention. The carriage assembly 200 generally comprises a torso support 210, one or more support straps 220, one or more strap adjuster assemblies 230, a frontal piece 240, a carriage pocket 250 and netting 260.

The carriage assembly 200 is configured for supporting an infant in the carriage pocket 250, proximate to the user's chest area, so as to provide support for the infant and enable the infant to feed from the user's breast. The carriage pocket 250 and assembly 10 is configured for supporting an infant in a generally lateral, non-cradling position. The carriage pocket is unitary piece formed with the carriage assembly 200. The carriage pocket 250 is fully connected to the assembly such that the infant is held laterally against the torso of the user. The carriage pocket 250 further comprises a detachable, liner 275 removably connected to the inner portion of the pocket 250. The liner can be connected using Velcro or other means generally known in field of art.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the torso support 210 is configured for engagement with the torso and/or middle-section of the user. The torso support 210 extends along the interior of the carrier 100 and adjustably fits around the torso region of the user's body.

FIG. 2 shows the carrier 100 in a generally open position. As shown, the torso support 210 is folded in a generally down position, proximate to the mother's breast line and positioned generally above the waist region and waist band (not shown). In the open position, the carriage pocket 250 is shown. The carriage pocket 250 is configured for receiving an infant therein and holding the infant proximate to the user's breast region. The positioning of the carriage pocket 250 can be adjusted using the support straps 220 and strap adjusters 230, which will be further discussed later in this application. In the present embodiment the one piece carriage pocket 250 and back harness assembly are attached by three adjustable straps.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 has a generally trapezoidal shaped frontal piece 240. The frontal piece 240 is configured with a double face quilted fabric which extends along the outer portion of the carrier 100 and carriage assembly 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, the torso support 210 and frontal piece 240 are connected, forming the carriage support region or pocket 250, which is configured for receiving and supporting a small infant child therein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the netting 260 is provided on the lower left portion 270 and right portion (not shown) of the carrier 100, and connecting the outer edge portions of the torso support 210 and frontal piece 240. The netting 260 has a generally mesh formation.

In accordance with the present embodiment, netting 260 is comprised of two 7 by 5 inch pieces of dark colored camouflage netting pieces. The pieces are placed on top of one another and sewn onto the bottom left end of the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 connecting the carriage assembly 200 and back support harness assembly 300. The netting 260 enables easy air flow into the carriage pocket 250 enabling the baby to breathe and nurse from the mother/user, while also maintaining optimum privacy for mother.

As previously mentioned, the carriage assembly 200 further comprises one or more support straps 220 and strap adjusters 230, which enable adjustment of the carriage assembly 200 and carrier 100, relative to the user's body. The strap adjusters 230 engage shoulder straps 360 from the one piece back support harness assembly 300, which will be discussed later in this application. Adjustable shoulder straps adjust the carriage assembly 200, positioning assembly 200, closer to and further away from mother's body or breasts.

The support straps 220 are comprised of a nylon webbing, however, it is contemplated that the straps 220 can comprise of another material without departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the straps 220a, 220b are connected or sewn into the top portion of the frontal piece 240 of the carriage assembly 200 and engage respective strap adjusters 230a, and 230b. In accordance with the present embodiment, the straps 220 have a 1 by 2½ inch nylon webbing configuration and are secured to strap adjusters 230 on each shoulder strap 220. The 1 inch heavy plastic strap adjusters 230 are then secured to the 1 by 15½ inch nylon webbing straps 310.

By pulling on the end portions of the straps 220, the straps can to be moved in a generally downward position. Accordingly, when the straps 220 are adjusted downwardly by the user, the height of the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 and carriage pocket 250 is raised relative to the users body and thereby raising the infant in a generally upwardly direction relative to the user. The carriage pocket 250 provides openings 255 at each end of the pocket, for baby growth.

The frontal piece 240 of the carrier 100 further comprises generally curved double face quilted fabric support strips 280a and 280b as shown. The strips 280a and 280b extend and provide support to the infant's head and hips while supported in the carriage pocket 250 of the carrier 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of the hands free nursing baby carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention. The back support harness assembly 300 and carriage assembly 200 are connected by a webbing strap 320. The webbing strap 320 is fed through openings 280 formed in the carriage assembly 200 waist band (not seen) and openings 380a and 380b formed in the generally lower portion of the one piece back support harness assembly 300. The unique lateral design is comprised of a 2 by 22 inch double face quilted fabric waist band with a 2 by 50 inch nylon webbing strap fed through the waist band of the torso support 210 and worn immediately under the mother's breast line as further shown in FIG. 2 while the upper empty portion of the torso support acts as additional support and by folding down forward on top of the lower band containing the nylon webbing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a rear view of the hands free nursing baby carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the figure, the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 comprises a one piece back support harness assembly 300 having a back support 340 and one or more shoulder harnesses 350. In accordance with the present invention, the carrier 100 comprises dual shoulder harnesses 350a and 350b which extend over the shoulder region of the user for engagement with the frontal piece 240. The shoulder harnesses 350a and 350b further comprise straps 360a and 360b, which are sewn into the respective harness fabric. The back support 340 and shoulder harnesses 350 measure a total of 8¼ by 20 inches from shoulder harnesses 350 to the bottom of the back support 340.

As shown in FIG. 3, the webbing strap 320 is connected by a buckle, which enables the carrier 100, carriage assembly 200 and back support harness 300 to be removably affixed to the body of the user. In the present invention, carriage assembly 200 and harness assembly 300 are fastened together using a 2 inch heavy plastic buckle 390 to secure the carrier 100 around the user's (mother's) body.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder straps 360a and 360b and straps 220a and 220b cooperatively engage the respective adjusters 230a and 230b,enabling the carrier 100 and carriage assembly 200 to be adjusted on the body by pulling down the straps 220a, 220b.

The carrier 100 further comprises a privacy scarf. Attached privacy scarf for nursing, doubles as weather guard for wind and sun in upright sitting positions.

In use, the user fits the carrier 100 to her by first placing her head between the carriage assembly 200 and the back support harness assembly 300. Secondly, the user buckles the webbing strap 320 with buckle 390 proximately underneath the breast line of the user, thereby connecting the back support harness assembly 300 and the torso support 210 to the mother's/user's mid-section. Next, the user opens the carriage pocket 250 and places baby inside with head facing the user's breast on the desired breast to nurse the baby within. The baby is attached to the mother's/user's breast for nursing. The user then can adjust carrier by adjusting the height of the carriage assembly 200 relative to the mother's/user's body to obtain proper nursing position, a snug fit, and optimum privacy by pulling down on the support straps 220.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present method and product disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention expands to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

Claims

1. A carrier connectable to a user for holding an infant comprising:

1) A carriage assembly and a back support harness assembly wherein the carriage assembly comprises a frontal piece, torso support and an adjustable carriage pocket wherein the carriage pocket is configured for holding a baby in a generally lateral position formed against the user's chest region.

2) The carrier of claim 1, further comprising frontal straps, shoulder straps and strap adjusters for enabling the carrier to be adjusted relative to the user.

3) The carrier of claim 2 further comprising one or more support strips formed on the outer portion of the frontal piece to provided additional support to the carriage assembly.

4) The carrier of claim 1 wherein the carriage pocket has a removable liner formed therein protecting the inner portion of the pocket.