SHOULDER STRAPS FOR A BABY CARRIER
Presented is improved shoulder straps for a baby carrier having a first layer of fabric with a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends, and a second layer of fabric with a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends. The first and second layers of fabric embodies a padding disposed therebetween. The first layer of fabric is configured to form a fastener attachment strap that engages to a fastener. The attachment strap is then looped back forming a continuous loop and laid between the padding and the first layer of fabric. The attachment strap is threaded through the shoulder strap and stitched back at the distal ends. The second layer of fabric is configured to take a form a flap at its proximal end and essentially increases aesthetic look of the shoulder strap.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/770,878, entitled “IMPROVED SHOULDER STRAPS FOR A BABY CARRIER,” filed Nov. 23, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to baby carriers, and more particularly to improved shoulder straps that can be used with the baby carriers.
BACKGROUNDVarious types of baby carriers are known in the art that can be worn by an adult with the baby being positioned either in front of the wearer or behind the wearer. The structure or configuration of shoulder straps used in the baby carriers is one of the crucial features, which directly affect the comfort and safety requirements of the carriers. The adult wearable baby carriers available on the market provide the wearers freedom of hand and arm movement while carrying the baby secured in the carrier. However, most of the available carriers are overly complex and typically use nylon webbing for connecting buckles or fasteners to the shoulder straps of the baby carrier. This webbing is aesthetically unattractive, and uncomfortable, and can become a point of failure as it is secured onto the shoulder straps with sewn stitching.
To elaborate, conventional baby carriers such as a baby carrier 10 shown in
The inventor, in view of the above discussed concerns associated with the structure of the shoulder straps applied to the baby carriers, including their unaesthetic look and safety concerns, improved the deficiency thereof, and further, invented shoulder straps more reliable and suitable for a baby carrier.
SUMMARYIt is an objective of the present invention to provide improved shoulder straps that can be used with any baby carriers. The proposed improved shoulder straps are configured to enable the use of any attractive and sufficiently sturdy fabric for the shoulder straps. This enables an infinite variety of designs for the shoulder straps.
Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate the use of external webbing as an attachment point for the buckle (or other fastener) used in the prior art baby carriers as shown in
Another objective of the present invention is to provide shoulder straps that can be applied to any types of baby carriers and when applied would provide greater safety to a baby/toddler and comfort to the wearer using the baby carrier with the proposed shoulder straps.
An improved shoulder strap according to the present invention is formed using two layers of fabric. The proposed shoulder strap for a baby carrier according to an embodiment includes a first layer of fabric with a predefined length and width, wherein the first layer of fabric comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends. The first layer of fabric is configured to form a fastener attachment strap, the fastener attachment strap being formed by folding the first layer of fabric substantially along middle part from the two side ends thereof, and wherein the fastener attachment strap so formed is then threaded through a fastener using a free end thereof and looped back extending between a top surface of the first insert, and the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric. The first layer of fabric is folded equally from each of the two side ends thereof in order to form the fastener attachment strap. The fastener attachment strap having a width lesser than the predefined width of the first layer of fabric, and the second layer of fabric.
According to the embodiment, the fastener attachment strap, when threaded through the fastener and looped back between the top surface of the first insert and the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric or between the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric and the fastener attachment strap is laid extended beyond the distal end thereof or is laid extended up to the distal end thereof.
According to the embodiment, the proposed shoulder strap further includes a second layer of fabric with a predefined length and width, wherein the second layer of fabric comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends. The second layer of fabric and the first layer of fabric are sewn together along at least one of: the two side ends, the distal ends, and the proximal ends thereof embodying at least one of: the first insert, and the fastener attachment strap to form the improved shoulder strap.
According to the embodiment, the first layer of fabric, and the second layer of fabric are configured to embody a first insert disposed therebetween extending partially along the length of the first layer of fabric, and the second layer of fabric. The first insert is a layer of padding which may be foam, batting or other appropriate material designed to increase comfort for weight bearing. This layer has length and width less than the predefined length and width of the first layer of fabric, and the second layer of fabric.
According to the embodiment, the second layer of fabric is configured to form a flap, the flap being formed by partially folding the second layer of fabric at the proximal end thereof. The flap extends in length beyond the fastener secured by the fastener attachment strap giving an aesthetic look to the shoulder straps. The flap embodies a second insert. The second insert is a padding. The flap embodying the second insert is further sewn to ensure the second insert remains intact in its position during normal use of the shoulder strap.
According to the embodiment, the improved shoulder strap is further sewn at one or more locations along the length of the improved shoulder strap to ensure at least one of the first insert, the fastener attachment strap, the fastener, and the second insert remain intact in their respective positions during the course of use of the improved shoulder strap.
According to the embodiment, the improved shoulder strap is further sewn at a shoulder position of a body of the baby carrier at the distal ends of the first layer of fabric and the second layer of fabric that are sewn together.
According to the embodiment, the improved shoulder strap may, as an optional feature, further include a Perfect Fit Adjuster (PFA) assembly configured over the improved shoulder strap using which the length of the improved shoulder strap can be adjusted.
According to the embodiment, the improved shoulder strap may, as an optional feature, further include a length adjustable chest belt adapted to cross a wearer's chest from one improved shoulder strap to another improved shoulder strap.
These and other features and advantages along with other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.
Some embodiments, illustrating key features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “including,” “consisting,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods, and systems similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments, the preferred methods, and systems are now described. The disclosed embodiments in description and drawings are merely exemplary.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “an example”, “another example”, “some embodiment”, “yet another embodiment”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.
Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of foam material, padding, fabrics, fasteners which constitutes proposed shoulder straps for use with the baby carriers. Accordingly, the components have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. For example, in the context of the present invention, the term “fabric” is not used in limiting sense, a person skilled in the art should understand that the term “fabric” may include any kind of durable fabric such as canvas, and even rexine fabric, leather materials may also be used as the two layers forming the proposed shoulder strap. The “fabric” must be strong enough to meet the testing and certification requirements for baby carriers.
The various features and embodiments of the improved shoulder straps are better explained in conjunction with
Referring to the accompanying figures, the proposed shoulder strap 100 includes a first layer of fabric 102 with a predefined length and width. The first layer of fabric 102 includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends. The distal and proximal ends extend along the width of the first layer of fabric 102, whereas the two side ends extend along the length of the first layer of fabric 102.
The proposed shoulder strap 100 further includes a second layer of fabric 104 with a predefined length and width. The second layer of fabric 104 includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends. The distal and the proximal ends extend along the width of the second layer of fabric 104, whereas the two side ends extend along the length of the second layer of fabric 104. The shoulder strap 100 of the present invention may be made using any attractive fabric that may be durable, thus giving baby carrier manufacturers' an opportunity to produce an infinite variety of designs for the shoulder straps 100. In simple terms the first layer and the second layers of fabric 102, 104 may be any kind of structurally sound fabric, strong enough to hold the payload and pass all safety testing requirements. The designers of the baby carriers are free to use a decorative layer of fabric that can be adhered to the first and second layers of fabric 102, 104.
According to the embodiment, as seen in
Further, as an essence of the present invention, in the proposed shoulder straps 100, the first layer of fabric 102 is configured to take a form of the fastener attachment strap 107 along its length as best seen in
To elaborate, the fastener attachment strap 107 is formed by folding the first layer of fabric 102 substantially along its middle part or region (indicated by an arrow ‘B’ in
According to the embodiment, the second layer of fabric 104 is configured to form a flap 110. Particularly, the second layer of fabric 104 of the proposed shoulder strap 100 is partially folded at its proximal end to form the flap 110. According to a preferred embodiment, the flap 108 may embody an insert 109 disposed between the bottom surface of a folded portion (indicated by arrow ‘C’) of the second layer of fabric 104 and top layer of the second layer of fabric 104. In an example, the insert 109 may include padding (formed from foam or batting). In another embodiment, the flap 110 may be configured without the insert 109. The flap 110 may have predefined length and width. In an embodiment, the flap 110 may extend in length beyond the fastener 108 secured by the fastener attachment strap 107 giving an aesthetic look to the shoulder straps 100. In another embodiment, the flap 110 may be configured in a way it doesn't extend beyond the fastener's position. In yet another embodiment, the shoulder straps 100 may be configured without the flap 110.
In the preferred embodiment, the flap 108 embodying the padding 109 is further sewn 112a (as seen in
Further, in operation or during the course of construction of the proposed shoulder straps 100, initially the fastener attachment strap 107 is formed (using the first layer of fabric 102), secures fastener 108 (ladder lock buckle for example) and is looped back within the shoulder strap 100 as discussed above, and simultaneously the second layer of fabric 104 is partially folded to cover the padding 109 to form the flap 110 that may extend in length over the fastener region, then in the next step, the second layer of fabric 104 and the first layer of fabric 102 are sewn 115 together along at least the two side ends as seen in
According to another embodiment, the proposed shoulder strap 100 may further include a Perfect Fit Adjuster (PFA) assembly 202 as seen in
Further, the improved shoulder strap 100 may support a length adjustable chest belt 204 adapted to cross a wearer's chest from one shoulder strap to another shoulder strap as seen in
In the context of the present invention, the novel shoulder straps 100 as proposed may be used with any baby carriers 200, for example as shown represented in
The baby carrier 200 represented in
Although the proposed method, or embodiments described above pertains to implementation of the method for designing improved shoulder straps for baby carriers. It should be understood that the same method disclosed herein can be generalized to secure a fastener (any kind of fasteners) on any portion of a baby carrier (not limited to shoulder straps). As a suitable example described above in
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An improved shoulder strap (100) for a baby carrier (200), comprising:
- a first layer of fabric (102) with a predefined length and width, wherein the first layer of fabric (102) comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends;
- a second layer of fabric (104) with a predefined length and width, wherein the second layer of fabric (104) comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and two side ends;
- wherein, the first layer of fabric (102), and the second layer of fabric (104) are configured to embody a first insert (106) disposed therebetween extending partially along the length of the first layer of fabric (102), and the second layer of fabric (104);
- wherein, the first layer of fabric (102) is configured to form a fastener attachment strap (107), the fastener attachment strap (107) being formed by folding the first layer of fabric (102) substantially along a middle part from the two side ends thereof, and wherein the fastener attachment strap (107) so formed is then threaded through a fastener (108) using a free end (107a) thereof and looped back extending between a top surface of the first insert (106), and the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric (102), or between the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric (102) and the fastener attachment strap (107);
- wherein, the second layer of fabric (104) and the first layer of fabric (102) are sewn together along at least one of: the two side ends, the distal ends, and the proximal ends thereof embodying at least one of: the first insert (106), and the fastener attachment strap (107) to form the improved shoulder strap (100).
2. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the first insert (106) having length and width lesser than the predefined length and width of the first layer of fabric (102), and the second layer of fabric (104).
3. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 2, wherein the first insert (106) comprises of a first padding.
4. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 3, wherein the first padding comprises at least one foam, or batting.
5. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the first layer of fabric (102) is folded equally from each of the two side ends thereof in order to form the fastener attachment strap (107).
6. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 5, wherein the fastener attachment strap (107) having a width lesser than the predefined width of the first layer of fabric (102), and the second layer of fabric (104).
7. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the fastener (108) comprises at least one of an acetal buckle, a ladder lock buckle, one or more rings.
8. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the fastener attachment strap (107) when threaded through the fastener (108) and looped back between the top surface of the first insert (106), and the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric (102), or between the bottom surface of the first layer of fabric (102) and the fastener attachment strap (107) is laid extended beyond the distal end thereof or is laid extended upto the distal end thereof.
9. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the second layer of fabric (104) is configured to form a flap (110), the flap (110) being formed by partially folding the second layer of fabric (104) at the proximal end thereof.
10. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 9, wherein the flap (110) extends in length beyond the fastener (108) secured by the fastener attachment strap (107) giving an aesthetic look to the shoulder straps (100).
11. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 9, wherein the flap (108) embodies a second insert (109).
12. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 11, wherein the flap (108) embodying the second insert (109) is further sewn (112a) to ensure the second insert (109) remains intact in its position during the course of uses of the shoulder strap (100).
13. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 11, wherein the second insert (109) is a second padding.
14. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 13, wherein the second padding comprises at least one foam, or batting.
15. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the improved shoulder strap (100) is further sewn at one or more locations (112b) along the length of the improved shoulder strap (100) to ensure at least one of the first insert (106), the fastener attachment strap (107), the fastener (108), and the second insert (109) remain intact in their respective positions during the course of uses of the improved shoulder strap (100).
16. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1, wherein the improved shoulder strap (100) is further sewn at a shoulder position of a body of the baby carrier (200) at the distal ends (102c,104c) of the first layer of fabric (102) and the second layer of fabric (104) that are sewn together.
17. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 1 further comprising a Perfect Fit Adjuster (PFA) assembly (202) configured over the improved shoulder strap (100) using which the length of the improved shoulder strap (100) can be adjusted.
18. The improved shoulder strap (100) of claim 14, wherein the improved shoulder strap (100) facilitates in attaching a length adjustable chest strap (204) adapted to cross a wearer's chest from one improved shoulder strap (100) to another improved shoulder strap (100).
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 24, 2019
Publication Date: Mar 19, 2020
Inventor: Lisa Reid (Portola Valley, CA)
Application Number: 16/693,313