AU2016100640A4 - Shoulder strap applicable to baby carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present application provides a shoulder strap applicable to a baby carrier, comprising: a strap body having a top end and a bottom end and two sides; and at least one of a decompression expansion member extending outwardly from at least one of the two sides of the strap body, being as long as the strap body, and connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body, respectively, wherein the decompression extension member has a first extended flap medially extending toward the other one of the two sides of the strap body and a second extended flap extending in a reverse direction to the inner side of the first extended flap, and having an outer side. @ *00 10 2221 221

Description

SHOULDER STRAP APPLICABLE TO BABY CARRIER

Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to shoulder straps, and, more particularly, to shoulder straps applicable to a baby carrier, which can be more effectively adjustable to fit different users' needs so the user does not have to purchase different carriers for the different shoulder straps thereof.

Background Art [0002] Generally, baby carriers of prior art have various forms. The structure of shoulder straps is one of the crucial features of the baby carrier, which directly affects the comfort of carrier for the user. In order to reduce the pressure put on the user's shoulders from the baby's weight, a baby carrier with its straps comprising the configuration of decompression blocks is usually used as a solution. However, the decompression blocks are known to be thick and non-breathing. Therefore, users would be sweltered by these straps in hot weather. On the other hand, thinner and more breathing shoulder straps cannot effectively distribute the pressure from baby's weight.

[0003] FIG. 9 illustrates a baby carrier disclosed by US 8,590,757 B2. The baby carrier comprises a belt 70, a carrier body 80, a first shoulder strap 90 and a second shoulder strap 95. The first shoulder strap 90 and the second shoulder strap 95 are formed on the two sides of the carrier, respectively, and each of them has a decompression block 91. The decompression block 91 reduces pressure. However, the decompression block 91 is so thick that it would make the user sweltered and uncomfortable in hot weather.

Summary of Invention [0004] The inventor in view of the shortcomings of the prior art, including inconvenience and safety concerns, improves the deficiency and insufficiency thereof, and further invents shoulder straps suitable for a baby carrier.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purposes, the invention provides a shoulder strap applicable to a baby carrier [0006] In one aspect, the shoulder strap comprises a strap body and at least one of a decompression expansion member.

[0007] The strap body has a top end, a bottom end and two sides.

[0008] The decompression expansion member extends outwardly from at least one of the two sides of the strap body, and is as long as the strap body. The decompression expansion member is connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body, respectively, by sewing or other connecting methods.

[0009] The decompression extension member has a first extended flap and a second extended flap, wherein the first extended flap is formed on the at least one of the two sides of the strap body, medially extending toward the other one of the two sides of the strap body and having an inner side, and wherein the second extended flap is formed on the inner side of the first extended flap, extending in a reverse direction to the inner side of the first extended flap, and having an outer side.

[0010] In one embodiment, the decompression expansion member has a Z-shaped cross section.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second extended flap has a width similar to the width of the first extended flap and the width of the second extended flap is similar to the width of the strap body as well.

[0012] In one embodiment, the decompression extension member is foldable.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the decompression extension member is folded up, the first extended flap is folded and covering on the strap body, and the second extended flap is further folded and covering on the first extended flap. The width of the first extended flap is similar to the width of the second flap and similar to the width of the strap body as well.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the decompression extension member extends (i.e. is unfolded), the total width of the second extended flap, the first extended flap and the strap body is about 2.5 to about 3 times the width of the strap body.

[0015] In another embodiment, the invention provides a strap body and two decompression expansion member.

[0016] The strap body has a top end and a bottom end and two sides.

[0017] The two decompression expansion members extend respectively outwardly from the two sides of the strap body and are as long as the strap body. The two decompression expansion members are connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body, respectively, by sewing or other connecting methods.

[0018] Each of the two decompression extension members respectively has a first extended flap and a second extended flap.

[0019] Each of the first extended flaps is formed on each of the two sides of the strap body respectively, and medially extending toward each other.

[0020] Each of the first extended flaps has an inner side and each of the second extended flaps is respectively formed on each of the inner side of the first extended flap, outwardly extending toward an outside of the strap body, and having an outer side.

[0021] In one embodiment, both of the two decompression expansion members have a Z-shaped cross section. Each of the second extended flaps has a width similar to the width of the first extended flap and the total width of the two second extended flaps are similar to the width of the strap body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the two decompression extension members are both foldable.

[0023] In one embodiment, when the two decompression extension members are folded up, the two first extended flaps are folded and both of them are covering on the strap body, and each of the two second extended flaps is further folded and covering on each of the first extended flaps.

[0024] In one embodiment, when the two decompression extension members extend (i.e. are unfolded), the total width of the two second extended flaps, the two first extended flaps and the strap body is about 2.5 to about 3 times the width of the strap body.

[0025] In another aspect, the invention further provides a baby carrier comprising a waist strap, a carrier body, and two shoulder straps of the invention.

[0026] The waist strap has two connecting portions formed on both ends thereof, respectively and the carrier body is attached to the waist strap and having a first side and a second side in a lateral direction.

[0027] The top ends of the strap bodies of the two shoulder straps are attached to the first side and the second side of the carrier body, respectively, and the buckle member has two ends, both of which are attached to the bottom ends of the strap bodies of the two shoulder straps, respectively.

[0028] The baby carrier of the invention comprises two rings each disposed on the first side and the second side of the carrier body, respectively.

[0029] The top end of the strap body of one of the two shoulder straps is disposed on the first side of the carrier body and the bottom end of the strap body of the one of the two shoulder straps is passing through the ring disposed on the second side.

[0030] The top end of the strap body of the other of the two shoulder straps is disposed on the second side of the carrier body and the bottom end of the strap body of the other of the two shoulder straps is passing through the other ring disposed on the first side.

[0031] The advantage of the invention is that the width of the shoulder strap is adjustable by the decompression extension member depending on different requirements of every user when carrying a baby. When the decompression extension member is folded up, the shoulder straps adjoin against on the user's shoulder, so as that the user can carry the baby carrier easily. The decompression extension member can extend when the user carries the baby in a front position. The strap body and the unfolded decompression extension member can not only cover the entire shoulder from the top of the shoulder to the upper portion of the user's upper arm but also more closely fit the curvature of the back side of the user's shoulder, and thereby the pressure on the user's shoulder can be distributed effectively and evenly to the whole shoulder and part of the user's upper back in a more ergonomic way. Therefore, the shoulder strap of the present invention provides various corresponding settings configuration for every user to fit their needs and to cope with the baby's varying weights.

Brief Description of Drawings [0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an external perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of an enlarged end when the decompression expansion members are folded according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of an enlarged end when the decompression expansion members are unfolded according to the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a status of carrying a baby carrier with the shoulder straps of the present invention when the decompression expansion members thereof are folded according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of a status of carrying a baby carrier with the shoulder straps of the present invention when the decompression expansion members thereof are unfolded according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an external perspective view of a status of carrying an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates an external perspective view of carrying a baby of another embodiment according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of carrying of another embodiment according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates an external perspective view of a carrying status of prior art of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments [0041] With the following drawings and embodiments of the present invention, the technical means for achieving a predetermined purpose of the present invention are further illustrated.

[0042] The present disclosure generally relates to a shoulder strap applicable to a baby carrier, which is more comfortable to use.

[0043] In other embodiment, the shoulder strap of the present invention comprises a strap body having a top end and a bottom end and two sides; and at least one of a decompression expansion member (not shown in figures).

[0044] The decompression expansion member can extend outwardly from at least one of the two sides of the strap body and can be as long as the strap body. The decompression expansion member can be connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body, respectively, by any known connecting methods in the art, for example, by sewing or the like.

[0045] The decompression extension member has a first extended flap and a second extended flap. The first extended flap can be formed on one of the two sides of the strap body and medially extend toward the other one of the two sides of the strap body. The first extended flap can have an inner side.

[0046] The second extended flap can be formed on the inner side of the first extended flap and extend in a reverse direction to the inner side of the first extended flap. The second extended flap can have an outer side.

[0047] The decompression expansion member can have a Z-shaped cross section.

[0048] Please refer to FIG. 2 which illustrates one embodiment of the shoulder strap of the present invention in a folded status. In this embodiment, the shoulder strap has a strap body 10 and two decompression expansion members 20.

[0049] The strap body 10 has a top end and a bottom end (not shown in FIG. 2) and two sides 12.

[0050] The two decompression expansion members 20 respectively can extend outwardly from the two sides 12 of the strap body 10, are as long as the strap body.

[0051] The two decompression expansion members 20 can be connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body 10, respectively, by any known connecting methods in the art, for example, by sewing or the like.

[0052] Each of the two decompression extension members 20 can respectively has a first extended flap 21 and a second extended flap 22. Each of the first extended flaps 21 can be formed on each of the two sides 12 of the strap body 10 respectively and can medially extend toward each other. Each of the first extended flaps 21 can respectively has an inner side 211.

[0053] Each of the second extended flaps 22 can be formed respectively on each of the inner sides 211 of the first extended flaps 21 and each of the second extended flaps 22 can outwardly extend toward an outside of the strap body. Each of the second extended flaps 22 can have an outer side 221, respectively.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the two first extended flaps 21 are folded toward each other and covering on the strap body 10 and the two second extended flaps 22 are further folded toward the sides 12 of the strap body 10 and each of the two second extended flaps 22 is covering each of the first extended flaps 21.

[0055] In one embodiment, the width of the first extended flap 21 can approximately equal to the width of the second extended flap 22. Besides, the width of the first extended flap 21 or the width of the second extended flap 22 can be about half of the width of the strap body 10, so as that the width of the shoulder strap would approximately equal to the width of the strap body 10.

[0056] Each of the decompression expansion members can have a Z-shaped cross section and the two decompression expansion members on the two sides of the strap body can be symmetrical.

[0057] Please refer to FIG. 3 which illustrates one embodiment of the shoulder strap of the present invention which extends. The two second extended flaps 22 and the two first extended flaps 21 extend toward the two sides 12 of the strap body 10. The two second extended flaps 22, the two first extended flaps 21, and the strap body 10 can present a curvature and the curvature can closely fit all the shoulder from the top of the shoulder to the upper portion of the user's upper arm.

[0058] Please refer to FIG. 1 which illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention applicable to a baby carrier. The baby carrier comprises a waist strap 40, a carrier body 50, a buckle member 60 and two of the shoulder straps of the present invention. Further refer to FIG. 1 in view of FIGs. 2 and 3, the shoulder strap comprises a strap body 10 having a top end 111, a bottom end 112 and two sides 12.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the waist strap 40 can have two connecting portions 41 formed on both ends thereof, respectively. The carrier body 50 is attached to the waist strap 40. The two shoulder straps are attached to the two sides of carrier body 50. The bottom ends 112 of the two shoulder straps can pass through the two connecting portions 41 of the two ends of the waist strap 40, respectively. The two ends of the buckle member 60 are attached to the bottom ends 112 of the two shoulder straps, respectively.

[0060] Please refer to FIG. 4. In one embodiment, when the two decompression extension members 20 are folded up, the two first extended flaps (not shown) are folded and both of them are covering on the strap body 10, and each the two second extended flaps 22 is further folded and covering on each of the first extended flaps.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, the decompression expansion members 20 can be folded up and the strap bodies 10 can closely fit the user's shoulder. When the decompression expansion members 20 are folded, the users can take off the baby carrier easily. When the shoulder straps are folded, their structures are tighter and the width is narrower, and users can carry the baby carrier in an easier way.

[0062] Please refer to FIGs. 5 and 6, in one embodiment, when the two decompression extension members 20 extend, the two second extended flaps 22, the two first extended flaps 21, and the strap body 10 can present a curvature and the curvature can closely fit all the user's shoulders from the top of the shoulder to the upper portion of the user's upper arm, and even to parts of the user's upper back.

[0063] Please refer to FIGs. 7 and 8, the invention further provides another baby carrier comprising a waist strap 40, a carrier body 50, and two shoulder straps of the invention.

[0064] The waist strap 40 can have two connecting portions 41 formed on both ends thereof, respectively. The carrier body 50 can be attached to the waist strap 40 and have a first side 51 and a second side 52 in a lateral direction.

[0065] The top ends 111 of the strap bodies 10 of the two shoulder straps can be attached to the first side 51 and the second side 52 of the carrier body 50, respectively. The buckle member 60 has two ends, both of which can be attached to the bottom ends 112 of the strap bodies 10 of the two shoulder straps, respectively.

[0066] The baby carrier of the invention comprises two rings 30 disposed on the first side 51 and the second side 52 of the carrier body 50, respectively.

[0067] The top end 111 of the strap body 10 of one of the two shoulder straps is disposed on the first side 51 of the carrier body 50 and the bottom end 112 of the strap body 10 of the one of the two shoulder straps is passing through one of the two rings 30 disposed on the second side 52.

[0068] The top end 111 of the strap body 10 of the other of the two shoulder straps is disposed on the second side 52 of the carrier body 50 and the bottom end 112 of the strap body 10 of the other of the two shoulder straps is passing through the other of the two rings 30 disposed on the first side 51.

[0069] In an embodiment, the baby carrier can further comprise two buckle straps 42 that are disposed on the two connecting portions 41 of the waist strap 40, respectively.

[0070] In an embodiment, one of the two buckle straps 42 can have a fixed length, and the other of the two buckle straps 42 has an adjustable length to engage the two buckle straps 42 with each other. In another embodiment, the two engageable buckle straps 42 can have adjustable lengths and are disposed on the two connecting portions 41 of the waist strap 40, respectively.

[0071] With above technical means, the present invention has the following advantages.

[0072] 1. The decompression expansion member 20 can be disposed on the structure of the shoulder straps. When the decompression expansion member 20 is folded up, the strap body 10 closely fit the top of the user's shoulder, and the baby carrier can be used in an easy way. When the decompression expansion member 20 extends, the strap body 10 can cover the entire shoulder from the top of the shoulder to the upper portion of the user's upper arm, which allows the loading weight from the baby to be distributed effectively to user's shoulders, upper arms and even parts of the upper back.

[0073] 2. The shoulder straps can be more adjustable according to the users' requirements effectively, so the user does not have to purchase different carriers for the different shoulder straps thereof.

[0074] The foregoing descriptions of the detailed embodiments are only illustrated to disclose the features and functions of the present invention and not restrictive of the scope of the present invention. It should be understood to those in the art that all modifications and variations according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS What is claimed is:

   1. A shoulder strap for a baby carrier, comprising: a strap body having a top end and a bottom end and two sides; and at least one of a decompression expansion member extending outwardly from at least one of the two sides of the strap body, being as long as the strap body, and connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body, respectively, wherein the decompression extension member has a first extended flap and a second extended flap, wherein the first extended flap is formed on at least one of the two sides of the strap body, medially extending toward the other one of the two sides of the strap body and having an inner side, and wherein the second extended flap is formed on the inner side of the first extended flap, extending in a reverse direction to the inner side of the first extended flap, and having an outer side.
2. 2. A shoulder strap for a baby carrier, comprising: a strap body having a top end and a bottom end and two sides; and two decompression expansion members respectively extending outwardly from the two sides of the strap body, being as long as the strap body, and connected to the top and bottom ends of the strap body, respectively, wherein each of the two decompression extension members respectively has a first extended flap and a second extended flap, wherein each of the first extended flaps is formed on each of the two sides of the strap body respectively, medially extending toward each other and having an inner side, and wherein each of the second extended flaps is respectively formed on each of the inner sides of the first extended flaps, outwardly extending toward an outside of the strap body and having an outer side, and wherein each of the two decompression expansion members has a Z-shaped cross section, the two decompression expansion members on the two sides of the strap body are symmetrical, and the two outwardly extended flaps have a width similar to a width of the two medially extended flaps are similar to a width of the strap body when the shoulder strap is folded.
3. 3. A baby carrier, comprising: a waist strap having two connecting portions formed on both ends thereof, respectively; a carrier body attached to the waist strap and having a first side and a second side in a lateral direction; two of the shoulder straps of claim 1 or 2, the top ends of the strap bodies of the two shoulder straps attached to the first side and the second side of the carrier body, respectively; a buckle member, both ends of which are attached to the bottom ends of the strap bodies of the two shoulder straps, respectively; and two rings disposed on the first side and the second side of the carrier body, respectively, and wherein the top end of the strap body of one of the two shoulder straps is disposed on the first side of the carrier body, and the bottom end of the strap body of the one of the two shoulder straps is passing through one of the two rings that is disposed on the second side, and the top end of the strap body of the other of the two shoulder straps is disposed on the second side of the carrier body, and the bottom end of the strap body of the other of the two shoulder straps is passing through the other of the two rings that is disposed on the first side.
4. 4. The baby carrier of claim 3, further comprising two buckle straps which are engageable with each other, wherein the two buckle straps are disposed on the two connecting portions of the waist strap, respectively, and have adjustable lengths.
5. 5. The baby carrier of claim 3, further comprising two buckle straps which are engageable with each other, wherein the two buckle straps are disposed on the two connecting portions of the waist strap, respectively, and one of the two buckle straps has a fixed length, and the other of the two buckle straps has an adjustable length.