CA3195541C - Infant carrier having a collar for adapting the size of a compartment for receiving an infant - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby carrier with an adjustable neck opening for a baby is described. The carrier includes a frame, a fabric cover, and a neck opening. The frame comprises a bed platform, an upper frame element, and a side panel extending between the bed platform and the upper frame element. The frame defines a compartment for the baby, and the side panel defines the opening of the compartment. The fabric cover extends around the perimeter of the carrier. The neck opening extends around the perimeter of the carrier and is attached to the fabric cover.

Description

INFANT CARRIER HAVING A COLLAR FOR ADAPTING THE SIZE OF A

COMPARTMENT FOR RECEIVING AN INFANT l'ECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates to an infant carrier having a collar for adapting the size of a compartment for receiving an infant.

BACKGROUND [0002] Bassinets are a type of infant carrier having a bed for an infant.

Bassinets comprise a frame having a sidewall attached to a bed platform that defines an opening for receiving an infant. The opening for receiving an infant has a fixed size based on the dimensions of the bassinet frame. However, it is sometimes desirable to have a different size opening in the bassinet, for example, to use accessories such as an apron for cover the infant from a bassinet of a different size or to comply with safety standards if the size of a compartment for receiving an infant (e.g., the height of the infant carrier, depth of a compartment defined by the infant carrier and/or size of an infant opening defined by the infant carrier) differs from local safety standards.

BRIEF SUMMARY [0003] The present disclosure relates to an infant carrier having a collar for adapting the size of an infant opening. The present disclosure provides an infant carrier that is more flexible in use and that seeks to addresses one or more issues with conventional infant carriers. [0004] In some embodiments, the infant carrier comprises a frame, a fabric cover and a collar. The frame comprises a bed platform, a top frame member and a sidewall extending between the bed platform and the top frame member. The frame defines a compartment for receiving an infant, the sidewall defining an opening of the compartment. The fabric cover extends around the periphery of the infant carrier. The collar extends around the periphery of the infant carrier and attached to the fabric cover. [0005] In some embodiments, the collar is rigidly attached to the frame. 1 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0006] In some embodiments, the collar is attached to the fabric cover by portions of hook and loop fastener, zipper fasteners or snaps. [0007] In some embodiments, the collar is attached to the fabric cover by zipper means. [0008] In some embodiments, the zipper means comprises: first zipper means provided by the fabric cover and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover; and second zipper means provided by the collar and extending around the periphery of the collar. [0009] In some embodiments, the first zipper means of the fabric cover interlocks with the second zipper means of the collar such that the collar is attached to the fabric cover. [0010] In some embodiments, the first zipper means comprises: a first portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an outer portion of the fabric cover and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover; and a second portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an inner portion of the fabric cover and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover; wherein the second zipper means comprises: a third portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an outer portion of the collar and extending around the periphery of the collar; and a fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an inner portion of the collar and extending around the periphery of the collar; the first portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the fabric cover interlocking with the third portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the collar, the second portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the fabric cover interlocking with the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the collar. [0011] In some embodiments, the collar comprises an elongate band or loop, the third portion of interlocking zipper elements being located on an outwardly facing portion of the elongate band or loop, the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements being located on an inwardly facing portion of the elongate band or loop. [0012] In some embodiments, the inner portion of the fabric cover is located substantially inside the infant carrier and the outer portion of the fabric cover is located substantially outside the infant carrier. 2 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0013] In some embodiments, the frame of the infant carrier further comprises: a plurality of securing arms connecting the top frame member and the bed platform, the fabric cover enclosing the plurality of securing arms; the collar defining a plurality of holes, one hole for each support arm, the location of the holes corresponding to the location of the securing arms, each support arm passing through a respective hole. [0014] In some embodiments, the securing arms each having a first and second end, the first ends of the securing arms being rotatably connected to the bed platform, the second ends of the securing arms forming a stop, the stop engaging a keyhole defined in the top frame member. [0015] In some embodiments, the collar is rigidly supported at least partially by the plurality of securing arms. [0016] In some embodiments, the collar provides a rigid vertically extending member that extends above the top frame member. [0017] In some embodiments, the vertically extending member increases a height of the infant carrier while increasing a depth of the compat intent for receiving the infant. [0018] In some embodiments, the collar comprises a rigid inner member, a foam layer located on respective sides of the rigid inner member, and a fabric layer located on respective sides of the foam layer. [0019] In some embodiments, the collar comprises a pair of opposed sides, wherein a pair of spaced securing arms are located on opposite sides of the collar. [0020] In some embodiments, the infant carrier further comprises: a canopy rotatably attached to the frame for moving between an open position and a closed position; and a pair of canopy buttons for unlocking the canopy, each canopy button in the pair of canopy buttons located on opposite sides of the canopy; wherein the collar defines a pair of openings, each opening in the pair of openings located on opposite sides of the collar, the openings sized and positioned for receiving a respective canopy button for unlocking the canopy. 3 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0021] In some embodiments, the infant carrier further comprises: a pair of flaps, one flap located on each side of the collar on an outer surface thereof, each flap comprising a portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener on an inner side thereof; and a pair of portions of interlocking hook and loop fastener located on an outer surface of the sidewall of the infant carrier, one portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener located on each side of the sidewall; wherein the portions of interlocking hook and loop fastener on the flaps attach to, and interlock with, a corresponding portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener located on the outer surface of the sidewall, thereby further securing the collar to the frame of the infant carrier. [0022] In some embodiments, the sidewall is provided by the fabric cover. [0023] In some embodiments, the sidewall is integrated within the fabric cover. [0024] In some embodiments, the collar increases the height of the infant carrier and depth of the compai intent defined by the infant carrier by about 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%. [0025] Implementations of any of the techniques described above may include a system, a method, a process, a device, and/or an apparatus. The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. [0026] Further features and advantages of the disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the embodiments. Objects and advantages of illustrative, non-limiting embodiments will become 4 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 more apparent by describing them in detail with reference to the attached drawings. [0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an infant carrier of FIG. 1 without the collar installed. [0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collar of the infant carrier of FIG. 1. [0031] FIG. 4 is perspective view of an apron for the infant carrier of FIG. 1. [0032] FIG. 5 is perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 with the apron of FIG. 4 attached. [0033] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the collar of FIG. 2. [0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 with a portion of the canopy removed to show a flap for attaching the collar to the frame. [0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 with a portion of the canopy removed to show the flap attaching the collar to the frame, with the flap attached to the frame of the infant carrier. [0036] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a side of the infant carrier of FIG. 1. [0037] FIG. 10 is perspective view of a frame of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0038] FIG. 11 is top view of a stop of a support arm of the frame of the infant carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0039] FIG. 12 is an interior perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure without the collar installed and the inner portion of the fabric cover removed illustrating a support arm connecting the bed platform and the top frame member relative to the outer portion of the fabric cover.

Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0040] FIG. 13 is an interior perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure without the collar installed illustrating a support arm connecting the bed platform and the top frame member relative to the inner portion of the fabric cover. [0041] FIGs. 14A-14D are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of attaching the collar to the frame of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0042] The features and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. Elements referred to in the singular may be plural and vice versa, except wherein indicated otherwise either explicitly or inherently by context. Similarly, reference characters may be used to refer to the same element in the singular or plural.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. [0044] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "on," "upper," "opposite" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use 6 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 or in operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. [0045] The term "about" or "substantially" as used herein indicates the value of a given quantity that can vary based on a particular technology. Based on the particular technology, the term "about" or "substantially" can indicate a value of a given quantity that varies within, for example, 1-15% of the value (e.g., 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, or 15% of the value). [0046] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present embodiments. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. [0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant carrier 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The infant carrier 100 may be referred to as a bassinet. The infant carrier 100 comprises a frame 110, a fabric cover 120, and a collar 140. The collar 140 is rigidly attached to the frame 110 as described more fully below. The frame 110 comprises a top frame member 112, a bed platform (also referred to as a mattress) 114 and a sidewall 116 extending between the bed platform 114 and the top frame member 112. The top frame member 112 may be tubular member or a tubular assembly comprising a plurality of tubular member in some embodiments. The frame 110 defines a compartment 10 for receiving an infant.

The top frame member 112 defines an opening 12 of the compat intent 10 for receiving an infant sometimes referred to herein as an infant opening. The fabric cover 120 is attached to the bed platform 114 and extends around the periphery of the infant carrier 100. The fabric cover 120 encloses the top frame member 112. In some embodiments, the fabric cover 120 may also cover an inner surface 115 of the bed platform 114. The fabric cover 120 has an outer portion (also referred to as outwardly facing potion) 121 and an inner portion (also referred to as inwardly facing potion) 123. In some embodiments, the inner portion of the fabric cover 120 is located substantially inside the infant carrier 100 and the outer portion of the fabric cover 120 is located substantially outside the infant carrier 100. 7 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0048] The collar 140 extends around the periphery of the infant carrier 100 and is attached to the fabric cover 120. The collar 140 has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the frame 110 but is smaller and located on the interior of the infant carrier 100. [0049] In some embodiments, the sidewall 116 is provided by the fabric cover 120. In some embodiments, the sidewall 116 is integrated within the fabric cover 120. [0050] In the shown embodiment, the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100 is elongate with a head portion in which a canopy 160 is located, a foot portion opposite to the head portion, a left side and a right side opposite to the left side. The sides of the frame 110 are substantially straight and parallel to each other. The head portion and foot portion of the frame 110 are rounded. The frame 110 of the infant carrier 100 may have a different shape in other embodiments. In the shown embodiment, the collar 140 comprises a pair of opposed sides and a rounded head portion and foot portion similar to the frame 110. [0051] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collar 140 of the infant carrier 100 in isolation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the infant carrier 100 without the collar 140 installed. The collar 140 may be used to adapt the size of the opening 12, for example, to use accessories such as an apron for cover the infant from a bassinet of a different size or to comply with safety standards if the size of the compaiiment 10 for receiving an infant (e.g., the height of the infant carrier, depth of a compaiiment defined by the infant carrier and/or size of an infant opening defined by the infant carrier) differs from local safety standards. When the collar 140 is used to comply with safety standards regarding the size of the compaiiment 10 for receiving an infant, the collar 140 may be attached during assembly by the manufacturer and may be constructed so that it is not removable by the end user of the infant carrier 100. FIG. 4 is perspective view of an apron 180 for the infant carrier 100. FIG. 5 is perspective view of the infant carrier 100 with the apron 180.

The height of the infant carrier 100 and depth of the compaiiment 10 defined by the infant carrier is increased by installing the collar 140 on the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100 by the manufacturer at the factory. The collar 140 is designed to be "non-removable".

As described more fully below, securing arms 118 are insert through holes in the collar 140, which are then secured to the frame 110 using screws or the like to secure the collar 140 in place. 8 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0052] The collar 140 may be attached to the fabric cover 120 by portions of interlocking hook and loop fastener such as strips of Velcro, portion of zipper fasteners, snaps such as a plurality of spaced apart snaps, or other suitable attachment means. In the shown embodiment, the collar 140 is attached to the fabric cover 120 by zipper means 122. The zipper means 122 extends around the periphery of the infant carrier 100. As best shown in FIG. 9, the zipper means 122 comprises first zipper means 122a provided by the fabric cover 120 and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover 120, and second zipper means 122b provided by the collar 140 and extending around the periphery of the collar 140. The first zipper means 122a of the fabric cover 120 interlocks with the second zipper means 122b of the collar 140 such that the collar 140 is attached to the fabric cover 120. [0053] As best shown in FIGs. 7 and 8, the collar 140 also comprises a pair of flaps 150, one flap 150 located on each side of the collar 140 on an outer (or exterior) surface thereof. The flaps 150 are located in the head portion of the infant carrier 100 in which the canopy 160 is located. The flaps 150 each comprise a portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener 152 on an inner (or interior) side or surface thereof. The portions of interlocking hook and loop fastener 152 are used to attach to, and interlock with, a corresponding portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener 154 located on an outer (or exterior) surface of the sidewall 116 for further securing the collar 140 to the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100. The canopy 160 is either yet to be installed or removed to attach the collar 140. After the collar 140 is attached to the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100, the canopy 160 can be installed or re-attached. When the canopy 160 is installed or re-attached, the flaps 150 are typically hidden and inaccessible to the end user of the infant carrier 100. [0054] As best shown in FIG. 9, in some embodiments the first zipper means 122a of the fabric cover 120 comprises a first portion of interlocking zipper elements 128 located along an edge of an outer portion (also known as an outwardly facing portion) of the fabric cover 120 and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover 120, and a second portion of interlocking zipper elements 130 located along an edge of an inner portion (also known as an inwardly facing portion) of the fabric cover 120 and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover 120.

Similarly, in some embodiments the second zipper means 122b of the collar 140 comprises a third portion of interlocking zipper elements 124 located along an edge of an outer portion (also 9 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 known as an outwardly facing portion) of the collar 140 and extending around the periphery of the collar 140, and a fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements 126 located along an edge of an inner portion (also known as an inwardly facing portion) of the collar 140 and extending around the periphery of the collar 140. The first portion of interlocking zipper elements 128 provided by the fabric cover 120 interlocks with the third portion 124 of interlocking zipper elements provided by the collar 140, the second portion of interlocking zipper elements 130 provided by the fabric cover 120 interlocks with the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements 126 provided by the collar 140. Each of the portion of interlocking zipper elements 124, 126, 128 and 130 is comprised of a fabric (or tape) having a row of interlocking zipper elements (or teeth). One of the portions of interlocking zipper elements in each of the first zipper means 122a and second zipper means 122b further comprises a slider (or slide) that joins or separates the interlocking zipper elements of corresponding portions when the zipper is opened or closed, respectively. The type of slider may be vary depending on the embodiment. The interlocking zipper elements of corresponding portions mesh or engage with each other when passed through the slider as known in the art. The tape is usually made of polyester but may made of synthetic fiber tape, vinyl tape or cotton tape. [0055] Referring to FIGs. 6 and 9, a collar 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the collar 140.

FIG. 9 is a cross- sectional view of a side of the infant carrier 100 showing a cross-section of the collar 140 and a cross-section of one side of the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100. The collar 140 comprises a rigid inner member 214 such as a rigid polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) member, a foam layer 212 located on both sides of the rigid inner member 214 such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam layer, and an outer fabric layer 210 located on respective sides of, and surrounding, the foam layer 212. In some embodiments, the thickness of the rigid inner member 214 is 2 mm.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the foam layer 212 is 2 mm on both sides of the rigid inner member 214, i.e. on both on the inside and outside of the collar 140. [0056] The rigid inner member 214 and collar 140 formed therefrom provide a rigid vertically extending member (e.g., wall) that extends above the top frame member 112. The vertically extending member increases a height of the infant carrier 100 while increasing a depth of the compaiiment 10 for receiving the infant.

Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 [0057] In some embodiments, the distance from the top surface of the bed platform 114 to the top edge of the top frame member 112 of the frame 110 is 191 mm or more, whereas the distance from the top surface of the bed platform 114 to the top edge of the collar 140 is 230 mm or more, the installation of the collar 140 thereby increasing the height of the infant carrier, and conversely the depth of the compartment 10 defined by the infant carrier 100, 39 mm or more.

Thus, in some embodiments the collar 140 increases the height of the infant carrier 100 and depth of the compaiiment 10 defined by the infant carrier 100 by 20%. In other embodiments, the collar 140 may increase the height of the infant carrier 100 and depth of the compartment 10 defined by the infant carrier 100 by 10%, 15% or 25% or more. [0058] In at least some embodiments, the collar 140 forms an elongate band or loop. The third portion of interlocking zipper elements 130 is located on an outwardly facing portion of the elongate band or loop and the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements is located on an inwardly facing portion of the elongate band or loop. [0059] In some embodiments, the zipper fasteners in combination with the securing arms 118 secure or lock the collar 140 to the frame of the infant carrier 100, rigidly holding it in place so that it is not removable by the end user of the infant carrier 100. The rigidity of the attachment is primarily provided by the zipper fasteners, causing the support the position of collar 140 relative to the frame 110 to be relatively static. The support arms 118 primary function to make the collar 140 non-removable by the end user of the infant carrier 100. [0060] Referring now to FIGs. 10 to 13, the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 10 is perspective view of the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the frame 110 comprises a plurality of securing arms 118 connecting the top frame member 112 and the bed platform 114. FIG. 12 shows an interior perspective view of the infant carrier 100 with the collar 140 and an inner portion 123 of the fabric cover 110 removed to illustrate how securing arms 118 connecting the bed platform 114 and the top frame member 112. FIG. 13 shows an interior perspective view of the infant carrier 100 with the collar 140 removed but the inner portion 123 of the fabric cover 110 present. In the assembled infant carrier 100, the fabric cover 120 encloses the plurality of securing arms 118 such that the plurality of securing arms are not accessible nor visible to a user 11 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 of the infant carrier 100 such as a caregiver. As best shown in FIG. 3, the collar 140 defines a plurality of holes 141 that pass therethrough, one hole 141 for each support arm 180. The location of the holes 141 corresponds to the location of the securing arms 118. Each support arm 118 passes through a respective hole 141. In the shown embodiment, the holes 141 form buttonholes, a reinforced slotted hole finished with stitching, in the fabric cover 120. In other embodiments, the holes 141 may be provided by an eyelet in the collar 140. The holes 141 may be any suitable shape such as circular, oval, slotted or otherwise elongate in other embodiments.

Ashroud or cover 119 may at least partially surround the securing arms 118 to provide cushioning. The collar 140 is rigidly supported by the plurality of securing arms and securely attached to the frame 112 by passing the securing arms 118 through the holes 141 in the collar. [0061] In some embodiments, the securing arms 118 each have a first end 142 and second end 144. The first ends 142 of the securing arms 118 are rotatably connected to the bed platform 114 as best shown in FIG. 10 and 12. The second ends 144 of the securing arms 118 form a stop (or key) 146. FIG. 11 is top view of the stop 146 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The stop 146 engages a keyhole 113 defined in the top frame member 112 as shown in FIG. 10. The keyhole 113 has a shape corresponding to a shape of the stop 146 so that the stop engage the keyhole 113, to secure or lock the securing arms 118 to the top frame member 112. In the shown embodiment, the collar 140 comprises a pair of opposed sides and a pair of spaced securing arms 118 are located on opposite sides of the collar 140, for a total of four securing arms 118. One support arm is located at towards a head portion of the bed platform 114 and one support arm is located at towards a foot portion of the bed platform 114 on the each side of the infant carrier 100. [0062] As best shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments the infant carrier 100 further comprises a canopy 160 rotatably attached to the frame 100 for moving between an open position and a closed position. The infant carrier 100 further comprises a locking mechanism attached to the frame 110 for locking the canopy 160. In shown embodiment, the locking mechanism is located or attached to the top frame member 112. The locking mechanism comprises a pair of canopy buttons 162 for unlocking the canopy 160. Each canopy button 162 in the pair of canopy buttons 162 is located on opposite sides of the canopy 160 and infant carrier 100. Each canopy button 162, when depressed, unlocks the canopy 160. The canopy 160, when 12 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 unlocked, can be moved between an open (or expanded) position and a closed (or collapsed) position by rotating a handle 166 that is integrated into the canopy 160. In FIG. 1, the canopy 160 is shown in the open position. The locking mechanism automatically locks the canopy 160 in the open position in response to the canopy 160 being moved into the open position. [0063] FIGs. 14A-14D are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of attaching the collar 140 to the frame 110 of the infant carrier 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14A shows the infant carrier 100 with the collar 140 removed.

The first portion of interlocking zipper elements 128 and second portion of interlocking zipper elements 130 of the first zipper means 122a can be separated, including opening ("unzipping") the first zipper means 122a if closed. Next, the securing arms 118 are removed from the top frame member 112 of the frame 110 by removing the stops 146 from the respective keyholes 113.

Next, the collar 140 is positioned within the interior of the infant carrier 100, and the first portion of interlocking zipper elements 128 of the first zipper means 122a and the third portion of interlocking zipper elements 124 of the second zipper means 122b are then closed ("zipped") together using a corresponding slide as shown in FIG. 14B. Next, the securing arms 118 are inserted through the holes 141 in the collar 140 and reattached to the top frame member 112 of the frame 110 by inserting the stops 146 into the respective keyholes 113, thereby securing the collar 140 to the frame 110 as shown in FIG. 14C. Lastly, second portion of interlocking zipper elements 130 of the first zipper means 122a and the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements 126 of the second zipper means 122b are then closed ("zipped") together using a corresponding slide as shown in FIG. 14D. The method described above can be performed in reviser to remove the collar 140 from the frame 120 of the infant carrier 100. [0064] Embodiments of the infant carrier 100 disclosed herein can be configured for use with a variety of infant carrier accessories including for, but not limited to, a stroller for transporting an infant. The infant carrier 100 disclosed herein may be configured to be removably attached to a stroller, for example attached to the stroller frame, or other infant carrier accessories using attachment means known in the art. [0065] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Brief Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims.

The Summary and 13 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all embodiments of the load carrier system and apparatus, and thus, are not intended to limit the present embodiments and the appended claims. [0066] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof.

The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. [0067] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. [0068] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 14 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05

Claims (20)

1. An infant carrier, comprising: a frame comprising a bed platform, a top frame member and a sidewall extending between the bed platfomi and the top frame member, the frame defining a compartment for receiving an infant; a fabric cover extending around the periphery of the infant carrier; and a collar extending around the periphery of the infant carrier and attached to the fabric cover.

2. The infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the collar is rigidly attached to the frame.

3. The infant carrier according claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collar is attached to the fabric cover by hook and loop fastener, zipper fasteners or snaps.

4. The infant carrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collar is attached to the fabric cover by zipper means.

5. The infant carrier according to claim 4, wherein the zipper means comprises: first zipper means provided by the fabric cover and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover; and second zipper means provided by the collar and extending around the periphery of the collar.

6. The infant carrier according to claim 5, wherein the first zipper means of the fabric cover interlocks with the second zipper means of the collar such that the collar is attached to the fabric cover.

7. The infant carrier according to claim 6, wherein the first zipper means comprises: a first portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an outer Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 portion of the fabric cover and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover; and a second portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an inner portion of the fabric cover and extending around the periphery of the fabric cover; wherein the second zipper means comprises: a third portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an outer portion of the collar and extending around the periphery of the collar; and a fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements located along an edge of an inner portion of the collar and extending around the periphery of the collar; the first portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the fabric cover interlocking with the third portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the collar, the second portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the fabric cover interlocking with the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements provided by the collar.

8. The infant carrier according to claim 7, wherein the collar comprises an elongate band or loop, the third portion of interlocking zipper elements being located on an outwardly facing portion of the elongate band or loop, the fourth portion of interlocking zipper elements being located on an inwardly facing portion of the elongate band or loop.

9. The infant carrier according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the inner portion of the fabric cover is located substantially inside the infant carrier and the outer portion of the fabric cover is located substantially outside the infant carrier.

10. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frame further comprises: a plurality of securing arms connecting the top frame member and the bed platform, the fabric cover enclosing the plurality of securing arms; the collar defining a plurality of holes, one hole for each support arm, the location of the holes corresponding to the location of the securing arms, each support arm passing through a 16 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 respective hole.

11. The infant carrier according to claim 10, wherein the securing arms each having a first and second end, the first ends of the securing arms being rotatably connected to the bed platform, the second ends of the securing arms forming a stop, the stop engaging a keyhole defined in the top frame member.

12. The infant carrier according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the collar is rigidly supported at least partially by the plurality of securing arms.

13. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the collar comprises a pair of opposed sides, wherein a pair of spaced securing arms are located on opposite sides of the collar.

14. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the collar provides a rigid vertically extending member that extends above the top frame member.

15. The infant carrier according to claim 14, wherein the vertically extending member increases a height of the infant carrier while increasing a depth of the compartment for receiving the infant.

16. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the collar comprises a rigid inner member, a foam layer located on respective sides of the rigid inner member, and a fabric layer located on respective sides of the foam layer.

17. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising: a pair of flaps, one flap located on each side of the collar on an outer surface thereof, each flap comprising a portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener on an inner side thereof; and a pair of portions of interlocking hook and loop fastener located on an outer surface of the sidewall of the infant carrier, one portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener located on each side of the sidewall; wherein the portions of interlocking hook and loop fastener on the flaps attach to, and 17 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05 interlock with, a corresponding portion of interlocking hook and loop fastener located on the outer surface of the sidewall, thereby further securing the collar to the frame of the infant carrier.

18. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the sidewall is provided by the fabric cover.

19. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the sidewall is integrated within the fabric cover.

20. The infant carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the collar increases the height of the infant carrier and depth of the compai anent defined by the infant carrier by about 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%. 18 Date recue/Date received 2023-04-05