CHILD CARRIER
An child carrier includes a main body and left and right shoulder straps connected to the body. The carrier comprises a waist strap connected to a lower side of the body, wherein the body provides a torso supporting portion and a seating portion. The seating portion comprises one or more adjustment portions which are adjustable to a first configuration, the seating portion having a first width and in the second configuration, the seating portion is partly narrowed. In another aspect, the child carrier comprises left and right cross straps connected with the left (right) side of the body and/or the left (right) shoulder strap, wherein the left (right) side of the body and/or the left (right) shoulder strap comprise at least one left (right) fastener, for fastening the right and left cross straps to a left and a right fastener, respectively.
This application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application PCT/EP2012/057842 filed Apr. 27, 2012 and published as WO2013/037514 A1 in English.
BACKGROUNDThe discussion below is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present disclosure relates to a load carrier, in particular a child carrier comprising a main body and left and right shoulder straps connected with the left and right sides of the main body, respectively. Such carriers are known in the art for carrying a load, e.g. a child, in front or on the back of a wearer of the carrier, e.g. a parent.
SUMMARYThis Summary and the Abstract herein are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor are they intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the Background
A drawback of prior art carriers is that the chest strap or joining means are difficult to near impossible to close and/or open by a wearer behind his/her back in case the child is carried in front of the wearer, yet such carrying position is preferred for very young children, e.g. babies and infants. Generally, the wearer needs assistance for closing the chest strap or buckle in such case. Leaving the chest strap or buckle open in such case is no acceptable alternative, since that poses the serious risk that the shoulder straps slide off the wearer's shoulders, in particular when the wearer reaches forward or downward.
Further, with prior art child carriers a significant fraction of the carrying weight is supported by the shoulders of the wearer, which is tiring. The same holds for backpacks, wherein the main body comprises a bag or another load carrying arrangement. A carrying arrangement is therefore desired with improved weight distribution of the child and/or the load.
Most child carriers are optimised for children of a particular age or size range. Some child carriers provide adjustment measures for accommodating children of different ages and/or sizes.
In addition, it has been found that in some carriers in the forward-facing position the support for the child is uncomfortable for prolonged duration, e.g. resulting in tiredness and in “sleeping” legs.
Consequently, there is also a desire for an improved child carrier, in particular for a carrier for young or very young children like babies, infants, and/or toddlers, possibly also for young children up to about five years.
Herewith, a carrier is provided, in particular a child carrier, comprising a main body and left and right shoulder straps connected with an upper side of the main body, respectively, and further comprising a waist strap connected with a lower side of the main body. The carrier includes an abdominal strap connected with left and right sides of the main body, respectively, between the upper and lower sides for encircling the abdomen of a wearer and providing a middle portion substantially opposite the main body, wherein the left and right shoulder straps are connected with the abdominal strap in the middle portion.
In such carrier, the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the wearer's body by the load are largely separated. It has been found that such carrier reduces the burden on the shoulders and redistributes the weight over the torso with focus on the abdomen and waist. This largely conforms to the load distribution of a pregnancy and the associated musculature. The carrier also reduces pressure on the chest, in particular benefitting women. The result is that carrying a given load with the presently provided carrier is found significantly more comfortable than carrying the same load with prior art carriers. Also, in such carrier fine tuning of tension and/or forces in the main body of the carrier is facilitated which is particularly important for child carriers. Support of the torso and the head may be adjusted more independently benefitting the child's comfort.
In such carrier, the abdominal strap may be detachably connected with at least one side of the main body, e.g. with at least one detachable fastener. This facilitates access to the connection and therewith it facilitates donning and/or removing the carrier either with the load in front or behind the wearer's torso. Thus, the carrier may be used in front-carrying position without outside help.
In the carrier the abdominal strap may be openable in the middle portion between the left and right shoulder straps, e.g. with at least one detachable fastener, and/or at least one shoulder strap may be detachably connected with the abdominal strap and/or the main body, e.g. with one or more detachable fasteners. This facilitates donning, wearing and/or removing the carrier in various ways, e.g. jacket-style with the main body on the back of the wearer. In particular when wearing the carrier with the main body in front of the wearer, the shoulder bands may be arranged to be crossed behind the wearer's back.
At or near their connection with the middle portion the shoulder straps may be connected to converge towards each other or cross each other for further improved distribution of the weight and forces over the straps and/or the wearer's torso. E.g., this increases freedom of movement of the wearer's shoulders and arms.
In an embodiment of the carrier, the shoulder straps have a top portion extending, in use, over the shoulders of a wearer, and the waist strap has a middle portion substantially opposite the main body and the middle portion of the abdominal strap is arranged, in use, in a position about halfway the top portion of the shoulder straps and the middle portion of the waist strap or lower. In such carrier the forces are distributed particularly well.
Provision of an even distribution of the forces over the straps is improved when the abdominal strap is connected with the main body in a position between about ⅕ to ½ from the top of the height separation between the connection positions of the shoulder straps and the waist strap with the main body.
For prevention of localised forces and/or cutting of the abdominal strap into the abdomen, the abdominal strap may be widened and/or padded in the middle portion with respect to portions towards the main body. Also, widened abdominal strap may assist in maintaining, in use, a substantially horizontal position of the strap, which improves separation of horizontal and vertical forces.
Further, a child carrier of the above-mentioned type is provided which includes a left cross strap connected with the left side of the main body and/or the left shoulder strap, and a right cross strap connected with the right side of the main body and/or the right shoulder strap, wherein the left side of the main body and/or the left shoulder strap comprise at least one left fastener and the right side of the main body and/or the right shoulder strap comprise at least one right fastener, respectively, for fastening the right and left cross straps to a left and a right fastener, respectively.
The main body serves for carrying (the body or the behind of) the child. Such child carrier facilitates putting on/pulling off and wearing the child carrier like a rucksack with each arm through one shoulder strap and while having the main body and the child as a front carrier or a back carrier like a rucksack, or with the main body and the child on the back of the wearer's body. The cross straps, when fastened to the left and right fasteners, may generally cross and allow securing the shoulder bands against slipping off the shoulders. Also, the shape and/or weight distribution of the child carrier may be adjusted to suit the wearer's body. Crossing cross band facilitate even distribution of the weight over just a single band, obviating sliding arrangements. In addition, having two bands is securer than one.
Further, providing cross bands and separate fasteners therefor provides significantly increased flexibility in the manner and position of fastening and/or undoing the shoulder band securing arrangement provided by the cross bands compared to a single chest strap or buckle.
In particular, left and right fasteners may be attached to or near the main body, and the cross straps may be configured such that, when the main body is carried on one side of the wearer's body, the cross straps are fastenable to the left and right fasteners substantially on that one side of the wearer's body while crossing each other on an opposite side of the wearer's body.
Thus, when carrying the child in front of the wearer's body, the carrier can be secured against falling due to the shoulder bands slipping off the shoulders by simple fastening of the cross bands on or near the front side of the wearer's body, thus in perfect reach of the wearer. Assistance for fastening the cross straps is not required. The position of the left and right fasteners may be chosen such that the cross straps are also generally easy in reach when the child is carried on the back and the cross straps are crossed in front of the wearer.
Compared to a baby carrier with only crossing shoulder bands, the carrier provided herein is significantly easier to put on than and it is not required to rely on buckles for the structural integrity of the carrier.
When the left and right fasteners are attached to the main body of the carrier, the cross straps may assist in pulling the main body relatively tightly against the body of the wearer. A tighter main body may facilitate carrying a baby or small infant.
The carrier may comprise plural left and right fasteners for fastening the right and left cross straps, respectively, in different crossing arrangements. This facilitates adapting the carrier to different wearers and/or methods of wearing. In particular, two sets of left and right fasteners may be provided, one set particularly arranged for carrying the child in front of the wearer and a second set particularly arranged for carrying the child on the back of the wearer.
The child carrier may comprise a waist strap to ease the load off the wearer's shoulders and shift it to the waist or pelvic region. It should be noted that in such child carrier, the shoulder bands would slip off the shoulders more easily than when pressed down onto the shoulders by the full weight of the child. A securing arrangement as provided by the cross bands may therefore be considered a must in such carrier.
Advantageously, a length of at least one of the shoulder straps, the cross straps and the waist strap is adjustable. Thus, the shape of the carrier may be adapted to suit different wearers and/or different and/or growing children.
At least one of the shoulder straps and the waist strap may be openable and closable with a fastener to facilitate putting on/pulling off and/or change the wearing position of the carrier.
The carrier may comprise at least one continuous strap providing at least one portion of the left shoulder strap and of the left cross strap and/or at least one portion of the right shoulder strap and the of right cross strap, respectively. This facilitates manufacturing the carrier and it may reduce the number of straps and/or fasteners, facilitating use of the carrier.
E.g., a continuous strap may extend from one side of the main panel, e.g. from a left lower fastener, to an upper shoulder strap portion on that side, e.g. to a left upper fastener, thus forming a portion of a shoulder strap, e.g. the left shoulder strap, and extend from the upper shoulder strap portion as a cross strap connected with that shoulder strap, e.g. a left cross strap connected with the left shoulder strap. The continuous strap may extend from the upper shoulder strap portion to the corresponding side of the main panel, in particular to a lower fastener and form a looped double strap portion, e.g. extend from the left upper shoulder strap portion to a lower fastener on the left side of the main panel. The optional lower and/or upper fasteners may allow length adjustment of the continuous strap. Provision of such continuous strap further facilitates manufacturing and it may increase adjustability of the carrier to the size of a carrier and the carried child.
The child carrier may comprise a head support attached, preferably detachably attached, to the main body for supporting the head of a child carried in the child carrier, in particular for a baby incapable of raising its head or for a sleeping child. The head support may be padded and/or cushion-like. A detachable head support facilitates cleaning and/or removal when not needed.
When attached to the main body, such head support may advantageously be partly or wholly foldable downward, preferably in one or more predetermined amounts, wherein the child carrier comprises one or more fasteners to hold the support in an unfolded state and in one or more such partially folded-down states. This facilitates adapting the carrier to the size of the carried child and/or its needs and interests, e.g. when it wants to look around over the carrier and/or for feeding the child when carried.
At least when the child carrier is worn by a wearer, at least a portion of the head support may be adjustable for shaping the head support. E.g., a strap may be provided which allows pulling a portion of the head support tighter to the wearer to support the head of a sleeping child or a baby incapable of raising its head, or rather to release the head support to give the child (more) freedom to move the head.
The child carrier may comprise a head cover for at least partly covering the head of a child carried in the child carrier, wherein the head cover is attached, preferably detachably, to the main body, and wherein the head cover, when attached to the main body, comprises left and right free top sides which are fastenable with fasteners to the left and right shoulder straps and/or the left and right cross straps above an upper edge of the main body and, if present, above the head support. Such head cover allows supporting and/or protecting the head of the child, in particular a relatively large child whose head is above the upper edge of the main body. Such head cover may protect against weather influences, like sun, wind, rain etc. and may be used to support the head of a sleeping child. A detachable head cover facilitates cleaning and/or removal when not needed.
The head cover may be attached, preferably detachably, to the main body below an upper edge thereof and/or, if present, below the head support. In such case, the head cover does not interfere with the upper edge of the main body and/or head support, which may be of different materials.
The left and right free top sides of the head cover may be fastenable with fasteners to the main body below the upper edge of the main body. In such child carrier, the head cover may be stored without it hanging loose and/or flapping about. A storage space may be provided wherein the head cover may be stored, e.g. in folded and/or rolled-up fashion. The storage space may be in the head support with the head cover material forming padding for the head support. However, the fasteners may be arranged such that the head cover, fastened to the fasteners, is maintained substantially against and/or conforming with the main body. This allows the head cover to be neatly stored without forming a bulge of folded and/or rolled-up material, and possible deformation and/or an irreproducible shape of the head support is prevented.
In an embodiment, the main body and the waist strap comprise a unitary piece of fabric. It is also possible that the main body and the head support and/or the head cover, when present, comprise a unitary piece of fabric. Thus, a continuous shape and strength may be provided throughout the unitary piece of fabric and possible detachment or tearing of a seam joining two portions is prevented. Such child carrier may therefore be more robust than stitched-together child carriers may. Further, manufacturing costs may be reduced.
Advantageously, one or more fasteners comprise buckles and/or hook-and-loop type fasteners, commonly referred to as Velcro® but available from many different sources and with different brand names. In particular, fasteners for the optional head support may be hook-and-loop type fasteners, since these allow deformation and prevent hard objects near the child's head. Buckles may be preferred for closing the shoulder straps and/or cross straps. Buckles may be secured with one or more hook-and-loop type fasteners. An optional waist band may be closable with hook-and-loop type to prevent (local pressure of) a hard buckle and to conform to the wearer's body. This may in particular be relevant when the child carrier is worn by a pregnant woman.
Further, an improved child carrier of the general above-mentioned type is provided for carrying a child in a face-to-face position and in a forward-facing position, which comprises a waist strap connected to a lower side of the main body, wherein the main body provides a torso supporting portion and a seating portion for the child. The seating portion comprises one or more adjustment portions which are adjustable with respect to the main body in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration the seating portion has a first width. In the second configuration the seating portion is partly narrowed with respect to the first configuration, providing a seating portion with a varying width having a relatively narrow portion with a second width arranged away from the waist strap and a first relatively wide portion extending towards the waist band and a second relatively wide portion extending towards the torso supporting portion of the main portion.
Thus, in the second configuration the first relatively wide portion extends between the relatively narrow portion and the waist strap and the second relatively wide portion extends between the relatively narrow portion and the torso supporting portion of the main portion and the seating portion has a generally narrow waist of the second width. As a result, a general saddle-shape is provided between the waist band and the torso supporting portion.
In the second configuration, the width of the seating portion may vary substantially stepwise, but a gradually varying width such as linearly or substantially curved may be preferred e.g. to facilitate an ergonomic shape. E.g., the seating portion may have generally flaring portions away from the relatively narrow portion and it may be generally bow-tie shaped or diabolo-shaped.
Due to the first widened portion between the narrow portion and the waist band, a child seating in a facing-forward position with its back towards the torso of the wearer of the carrier will have a relatively narrow crotch portion formed by the narrow portion of the seating portion, whereas the first widened portion provides a proper support for the child's behind. Such first widened portion is lacking from the prior art child carriers and it has been found that this lack is the main cause for the child's discomfort in prolonged use; the narrow prior art seating portion cuts, as it were, into the child's bottom and/or thighs and reduces blood flow through the child's legs. Further, in the presently provided child carrier in the second configuration the child tends to feel more secure since it experiences a wider, more comfortable and stable supporting seat than in the known child carriers. In the presently provided child carrier in the second configuration, a carried child tends to assume more of a sitting posture and to lean against the person carrying the carrier, sitting on the first widened portion between the narrow portion and the waist band, rather than hanging forward against the torso supporting portion. Increased proximity to and physical contact with the wearer facilitates increasing a comforting and securing feeling to the child facing away from the wearer.
As a consequence (the seating portion of) the child carrier with this aspect provides a significantly improved ergonomic shape and it provides increased user comfort to the child when carried in the forward-facing position. Also, with the child leaning against the wearer, the centre of gravity of the child is brought closer to the wearer, redistributing the carrying load more on the waist of the wearer and relieving weight from the shoulders, compared to known carriers.
When a child is carried in the carrier in the face-to-face position (or face-to-back position when carried on the back of the wearer), its legs are naturally held in a rather spread-out position imposed by (at least partly encircling) the torso of the wearer of the carrier. In the first configuration of the presently provided carrier the upper legs and thighs are supported ergonomically in such spread position by the relatively wide seating portion with the first width.
It is of course possible to carry the child in the face-to-face position (or face-to-back position) with the seating portion in the second configuration if so preferred. In this case the narrow portion provides increased leg space as before, whereas the second widening portion provides the desired relatively wider portion of the seating portion. E.g. to facilitate such face-to-face use, the seating portion may be formed substantially symmetrical with respect to the narrow portion.
In each of the facing-forward position, face-to-face position and face-to-back position, the front or back side of the child's torso may be supported by the torso supporting portion.
One or more adjustment portions may be partly or fully detachable from at least a portion the main body of the carrier. A detachable portion may be secured to another portion of the carrier to prevent its loss. One or more provisions for storing a (partly or fully) detached adjustment portion may be provided.
One or more adjustment portions may be detachably attachable to at least a portion the main body of the carrier by means of one or more fasteners, such as buttons, straps and buckles etc. Elongated fasteners such as a hook-and-loop type fastener strips (e.g. Velcro® strips) and/or zippers are preferred for ease of use and/or to distribute stress and/or deformation so as to increase robustness of the carrier and/or prevent potentially discomforting local pressure variations to a seated child.
These and other aspects, which may be employed separately or in combination, will be explained in more detail below with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing different embodiments by way of example.
It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms “upward”, “downward”, “below”, “above”, and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in normal use and as shown in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals, where expedient individualised with alphabetic suffices.
The child carrier 1 comprises a left shoulder strap 11A and a right shoulder strap 11B, each comprising an upper portion 13A, 13B, and a lower portion 15A, 15B, respectively, which are connectable with each other with releasable fasteners 17A, 17B, respectively, so that the shoulder straps 11A, 11B may be opened (as shown in
The child carrier 1 comprises an adjustable waist band 19 having left and right waist band portions 21A, 21B, respectively, connectable with each other with a releasable fastener in the form of a two-part snap-buckle 23A, 23B and a hook-and-loop type fastener 25 on the left waist band portion 21A. The hook-and-loop type fastener 25 may be wrapped around the right waist band portion 21B when the buckle 23 is closed to secure the waist band 19 against opening if the buckle 23 becomes (unintentionally) undone. The position of the buckle 23 on the right waist band portion 21B is adjustable, allowing length adjustment of the waist band 19 to a wearer's girth. A free end portion of the right waist band portion 21B may be held by a loop 22 or any other fastener to prevent it from dangling loose.
The child carrier 1 further comprises a left cross strap 27A attached to (the upper portion 13A of) the left shoulder strap 11A and a right cross strap 27B attached to (the upper portion 13B of) the left shoulder strap 11B. Further, on the left and right sides 9A, 9B of the main body 3 first left and right fasteners 29A, 29B and on (the upper portions 13A, 13B of) the left and right shoulder straps 11A, 11B second left and right fasteners 31A, 31B are attached. The left and right cross straps 27A, 27B have free ends, which are fastenable to the right and left first and second fasteners 29A-31B with matching fasteners 33A, 33B. Here, the fasteners 29A-33B are matching portions of snap-buckles. The positions of the fasteners 33A, 33B on the cross straps 27A, 27B are adjustable, allowing length adjustment of the cross bands 27A, 27B.
The child carrier 1 further comprises a head support 35, attached to the main body 3. The head support 35 here comprises two portions 37, 39, each releasably fastened to the left and right shoulder straps 11A, 11B with left and right hook-and-loop type fasteners 41A, 41B and 43A, 43B, respectively.
The child carrier 1 further comprises a head cover 45 attached to the main body 3. The head cover 45 has a generally rectangular or trapezoidal shape with a free end 47 remote from the main body 3, providing left and right free top sides 49A, 49B to which left and right head cover straps 51A, 51B and left and right head cover fasteners 53A, 53B are attached. The left and right head cover fasteners 53A, 53B are fastenable to matching left and right fasteners 55A, 55B (see
The main body 3 provides the main carrying portion of the carrier 1 and may be provided with one or more pleats, seams, insets, adjusters etc. for providing a comfortable shape for the child to be carried. At least the main body 3 may comprise padding or insulation for comfort of the child. The main body 3 and the waist band 19 here comprise several unitary pieces of fabric to forming layers of integrated main body and waist band material, which may extend into the upper shoulder strap portions 13A, 13B and/or the head support 35.
On each upper shoulder strap portion 13A, 13B, an optional guide the continuous straps 63A, 63B may be provided, here in the form of a sleeve portion 67A, 67B is provided through which the continuous straps 63A, 63B may extend as shown.
The continuous straps 63A, 63B further are attached to left and right upper fasteners 69A, 69B, respectively, attached to the upper shoulder strap portions 13A, 13B, and here comprising D-rings. From the upper fasteners 69A, 69B, the continuous straps 63A, 63B extend as left and right cross straps 27A, 27B, respectively, having free ends provided with left and right fasteners 33A, 33B, which match the first left and right fasteners 29B, 29A on the left and right sides 9A, 9B of the main body 62, respectively. Here, the fasteners 29A, 33B and 29B, 33A are matching portions of snap-buckles.
Thus, each continuous strap 63A, 63B, provides a lower portion 71A, 71B of a shoulder strap 11A, 11B as well as a cross strap portion 27A, 27B.
The fasteners 65A, 65B allow adjustment of the continuous straps 63A, 63B attached thereto to adjust the length of the shoulder straps 11A, 11B. The lengths of the left and right cross straps 27A, 27B may be adjusted by adjustment of the positions of the respective adjustable fasteners 33A, 33B along (the cross strap portions 27A, 27B of) the continuous straps 63A, 63B.
The child carriers 1 of
From comparing
In the first configuration (
In the second configuration (
Comparing
In
The abdominal strap 99 comprises relatively narrow left and right first fasteners 103A, 103B which are releasably connectable with mated left and right second fasteners 105A, 105B attached to the main body 95 on left and right sides thereof, respectively, and which facilitate length adjustment of the abdominal strap 99. It is noted that the abdominal strap may have a substantially constant width, thickness and/or padding. The left and right second fasteners 105A, 105B are connected with the main body 65 in a position of about half the height of the main body 95 including the head rest 35, or about ⅕ from the upper side of the main body 95 proper, not counting the head rest 35, so that the abdominal strap is connected between the connection positions of the shoulder straps 11A″, 11B″ and the waist strap 19 with the main body 95.
When thus connected with the main body 95, the middle portion 101 of the abdominal strap 99 is arranged substantially opposite the main body 95, and the abdominal strap 99 is configured to encircle, in use, the abdomen of a wearer (see
Instead of two fasteners 105A, 105B only one may be provided, the abdominal strap being fixed to the main body. Then, still, putting on the carrier with the main body in front is significantly facilitated and outside help to fasten a fastener behind the wearer's back is not needed. Otherwise, if the abdominal band would be fixed to both sides of the main body, a middle portion opening 109 could be used.
The left and right shoulder straps 11A″, 11B″ each comprise an upper portion 13A″, 13B″, and a lower portion 15A″, 15B″, respectively, which are connectable with each other with fasteners 17A″, 17B″, respectively, with which the shoulder straps 11A″, 11B may be opened and/or length adjusted. Similarly, the shoulder bands 11A″, 11B″ comprise a further portion 111A and 111B connecting the upper portions 13A″, 13B″ with the upper side of the main body 95 with the left and right releasable fasteners 97A, 97B, which also facilitate length adjustment of the shoulder straps 11A″, 11B″.
Different arrangements of fasteners and/or length adjusters, e.g. one or more fasteners linking the shoulder straps 11A″, 11B″ to the abdominal strap, may be provided.
Best seen in
The effect of the different strap arrangements of the prior art, and as provided herein may be best seen from the sketches of
The acute angle of each shoulder strap 11A′, 11B′ with respect the abdominal strap 99 provides a diagonal force component on the shoulder straps and (the middle portion 101 of) the abdominal band, assisting maintaining the shoulder band and the middle portion in place. The same holds for carrying a load on the back with the carrier of
If desired the left and right shoulder bands may be attached to the opposite side of the main body or the abdominal band and/or worn cross-wise as indicated with broken lines in
Also, the shoulder bands 11A″ 11B″ may be interconnected with a cross connection, e.g. with two cross straps as set out above.
In the carriers of
The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments, which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance more, less, and/or differently positioned fasteners may be provided. Further, the child carrier may comprise one or more pockets; best seen in
The main body may be shaped differently, e.g. more trapezoidal. Further, shaping folds, pleats, and/or seams etc. may be provided, e.g. to provide a curved portion. The child carrier may comprise a rigid frame and/or one or more (arrangements for containing) inserts or extensions, e.g. to adapt the carrier to smaller or larger children.
The cross straps need not cross each other.
Particular cross strap arrangements and/or main body shapes may be used to benefit separate from each other and/or in combination. E.g., a waist band is not needed to benefit from the provision of cross bands for a carrier with shoulder bands.
More or less adjustment portions may be provided, e.g. for providing narrowed sections of different widths and/or lengths.
The arrangement of straps of the a carrier according to
Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Claims
1. A carrier, in particular a child carrier, comprising:
- a main body;
- left and right shoulder straps connected with an upper side of the main body;
- a waist strap connected with a lower side of the main body, and
- an abdominal strap connected with left and right sides of the main body, respectively, between the upper and lower sides for encircling the abdomen of a wearer and providing a middle portion substantially opposite the main body, the left and right shoulder straps being connected with the abdominal strap in the middle portion.
2. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the abdominal strap is detachably connected with at least one side of the main body.
3. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the abdominal strap is openable in the middle portion between the left and right shoulder straps.
4. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one shoulder strap is detachably connected with the abdominal strap.
5. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder straps have a top portion extending, in use, over the shoulders of a wearer, and the waist strap has a middle portion substantially opposite the main body and wherein the middle portion of the abdominal strap is arranged, in use, in a position about halfway the top portion of the shoulder straps and the middle portion of the waist strap or lower.
6. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the abdominal strap is connected with the main body in a position between about ⅕ to ½ from the top of the height separation between the connection positions of the shoulder straps and the waist strap with the main body.
7. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the abdominal strap is widened and/or padded in the middle portion with respect to portions towards the main body.
8. A carrier, comprising:
- a main body configured for carrying a child;
- left and right shoulder straps connected with an upper portion of the main body, respectively;
- a waist strap connected to a lower side of the main body,
- wherein the main body provides a torso supporting portion and a seating portion for the child;
- wherein the seating portion comprises one or more adjustment portions which are adjustable with respect to the main body in a first configuration and a second configuration, and
- wherein in the first configuration the seating portion has a first width and wherein in the second configuration the seating portion is partly narrowed with respect to the first configuration, providing a seating portion with a varying width having a relatively narrow portion with a second width arranged away from the waist strap and a first relatively wide portion extending between the relatively narrow portion and the waist strap and a second relatively wide portion extending between the relatively narrow portion and the torso supporting portion of the main portion.
9. The carrier according to claim 8, wherein the width of the seating portion is gradually varying.
10. The carrier according to claim 8, wherein one or more adjustment portions are partly or fully detachable from at least a portion the main body of the carrier.
11. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the main body is configured for carrying a child, wherein the main body provides a torso supporting portion and a seating portion for the child, and wherein the torso support portion comprises a hand pocket or sleeve in the torso supporting portion, in particular on an outside thereof.
12. The carrier according to claim 1, comprising a main body configured for carrying a child and comprising a head support attached to the main body for supporting the head of a child carried in the child carrier.
13. The child carrier according to claim 12, wherein the head support is partly or wholly foldable downward, and wherein the child carrier comprises one or more fasteners to hold the support in an unfolded state and in one or more such partially folded-down states.
14. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the abdominal strap, the left shoulder strap, the right shoulder strap and the waist strap, where applicable, are length adjustable.
15. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one shoulder strap is detachably connected with the main body.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 27, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2014
Applicant: Minimonkey BV (Amsterdam)
Inventor: Margot Marjoleine Hoppener-Visser (Amersterdam)
Application Number: 14/344,182
International Classification: A47D 13/02 (20060101);