EP1665959A1 - Ventral baby carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

The carrier has carrying straps (41) which pass around arms of a wearer (2) and connected to a seat by an attachment (411) on a base part far away from the wearer. The straps are connected to a rigid dorsal structure by an end of the straps that is at a height greater than that of the attachment. The structure distributes forces due to weight of a baby, on back and haunch of the wearer.

Description

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of childcare. More specifically, the invention relates to baby carriers.

2. Solutions of the prior art

There are many techniques to carry an infant on the back and / or belly of an adult carrier. Baby carriers including a harness, including two straps and usually a belt, and a seat for the child. Classically, this seat is pierced with two openings in which the child can pass the legs.

There are many types of baby carriers, depending on whether the child is worn on the back or the wearer's belly, on the one hand, and that the child is looking towards the wearer or outward, on the other hand go.

In older baby carriers, the seat is permanently attached to the harness. In this case, of course, the use of the baby carrier is frozen. In other cases, the harness and the seat can be separated from each other.

Also known are baby carriers which consist mainly of a belt, the baby sitting on a support attached to this belt. These baby carriers have the effect of asymmetrically support the hips of the carrier, which is uncomfortable, and are therefore intended for short-term portages.

The majority of baby carriers have shoulder straps, and most of the baby's weight is supported by the wearer's shoulders. This results in wearer fatigue and significant back strain, which can lead to a variety of comfort and health problems.

Many of these sling carriers also include a belt that has the effect of stabilizing the wearer's load. We also know, by patent document WO 04049876 A1, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a ventral baby carrier comprising in the back of the wearer a triangular piece 96, joining the two shoulder straps 93, intended to provide the wearer with a lumbar support. Experience shows that this piece 96 does not provide effective support when the baby carrier is loaded.

Indeed, as shown in Figure 1, the weight present in the seat 90 tends to pull the strap 93 as indicated by the arrow A. This pull back the straps 93 behind the back of the wearer, as indicated by the arrow B.

The triangular piece 96, going up as indicated by the arrow C, tends to pivot around the piece 95, which causes a detachment of the back of the wearer, as indicated by the arrow D. There is therefore no, or little, support at the lumbar level, contrary to the goal set.

Baby carriers also have the effect of changing the balance of the wearer. Indeed, the baby being worn high enough, the center of gravity of the wearer is raised significantly. This induces a risk of fall of the wearer, which can be dramatic for the baby, or at least to unbalance it.

In the case of ventral baby carriers, this risk is further increased. Indeed, the presence of the baby in the chest of the wearer reduces the field of vision of the latter. This effect is accentuated by the fact that the wearer, having a weight on his chest, tends to be slightly leaning backwards to keep his balance. In particular, it is more difficult for the wearer to see where he is walking. This greatly increases the risk of the wearer stumbling on a step, sidewalk, or any obstacle that is made difficult to see by the presence of the baby.

This risk causes discomfort for the wearer. Indeed, to wear, it tends to retreat backwards, digging the back. On the other hand, to see where he walks, he has to lean forward. The wearer can not therefore find a comfortable carrying position.

Existing baby carriers therefore have major disadvantages for the comfort and health of the wearer and for the safety of the baby.

4. Objectives of the invention

The invention particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a baby carrier that provides the wearer a high level of comfort and safety by avoiding fatigue in the shoulders and back, and avoiding back deformations harmful to his health.

Another object of the invention is to implement a baby carrier which limits the risk of falling or imbalance of the wearer, to safeguard the safety of the baby.

5. Essential characteristics of the invention

These objectives, as well as others that will appear later, are achieved with the aid of a ventral baby carrier, comprising a harness having a lower part, or belt, resting on the hips of a wearer and two carrying straps to be secured to a seat for receiving a baby.

According to the invention, the carrying straps of such a baby carrier circulate under the wearer's arms, and are connected in a first connection point, located a portion of the seat away from the wearer, to the seat, and in a second connection point, located in the back of the carrier higher than the first point of connection, to a stiffened back structure of force recovery, returning at least a portion of the forces applied on said carrying straps to said portion lower.

Thus, the invention is based on a completely new and inventive approach to baby carriers. The weight of the baby is no longer supported by the wearer's shoulders, but is distributed at the level of his hips. The back of the wearer is held all the more firmly as the load is heavy. Finally, the baby is worn lower than in most existing models of baby carriers, which has the advantage of widening the wearer's field of vision and reducing the center of gravity of the whole " carrier and baby "at a level close to the wearer's center of gravity. The risk of imbalance of the wearer is therefore considerably decreases. In addition, the back structure, taking the efforts due to the weight of the baby, can ensure the maintenance of the back of the wearer.

Advantageously, the seat has at least two attachment points remote from the wearer and at least one attachment point close to the wearer, the attachment points remote from the wearer being secured to the carrying straps, and the point or points of fastening close to the carrier being secured to said lower part.

The seat thus attached will be well maintained and will not present any risk of tipping.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower part comprises a ventral support element allowing a distribution of forces applied over a wide width of the belly of the wearer.

Thus, the forces applied to the belly of the wearer are not a problem for him because they are well distributed.

Preferably, the attachment points close to the wearer and the attachment points remote from the wearer are in a substantially horizontal plane, when the baby is worn.

This configuration is essentially different from that of the majority of baby carriers of the prior art, for which the different fasteners of the seat are in a substantially vertical plane against the wearer.

Advantageously, the seat intended to contain the baby is detachable from said harness, and it can be fixed by the user in position facing the wearer, or in position back to the wearer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the seat can be replaced by a basket, in which the baby is essentially lying down.

The baby carrier of the invention can be adapted to carry the youngest children, too small to be installed in the seat.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bottom of the stiffened back structure comprises a rear part of the lower part.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stiffened back structure comprises reinforcements ranging from the attachment area of the carrying straps to the rear part of the lower part.

Preferably, the reinforcements comprise leaf springs.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the harness comprises straps intended to pass over the shoulders of the wearer.

These straps do not have the role of ensuring the baby's carrying, but to ensure the safety of it in case of inadvertent opening of the harness fasteners.

Advantageously, the straps are fixed, in front of the wearer, to the carrying straps.

This method of attachment can avoid having to adjust the length of the straps depending on the size of the wearer.

The invention also relates to a harness for a ventral baby carrier as described above.

6. List of figures

• la figure 1 présente une vue de profil d'un porteur portant un bébé dans un porte-bébé selon l'art antérieur, mettant en évidence les forces exercées ;
• la figure 2 présente une vue de profil d'un porteur portant un bébé dans un porte-bébé selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 présente une vue de profil d'un porteur portant un bébé dans un porte-bébé selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 présente une vue du harnais du porte-bébé de la figure 1 ouvert ;
• les figures 5, 6 et 7 présentent trois vues d'une assise équipant un porte-bébé selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 8 présente une vue de profil d'un porteur portant un bébé dans un porte-bébé selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 9 présente une vue de profil d'un porteur portant un bébé dans un porte-bébé selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 10 présente du harnais du porte-bébé de la figure 6 ouvert.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

• Figure 1 shows a side view of a carrier carrying a baby in a carrier according to the prior art, highlighting the forces exerted;
• Figure 2 shows a side view of a carrier carrying a baby in a baby carrier according to the invention;
• Figure 3 shows a side view of a wearer carrying a baby in a baby carrier according to the invention;
• Figure 4 shows a view of the harness of the carrier of Figure 1 open;
• Figures 5, 6 and 7 show three views of a seat equipping a baby carrier according to one embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 8 shows a side view of a wearer carrying a baby in a baby carrier according to another embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 9 shows a side view of a carrier carrying a baby in a baby carrier according to another embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 10 shows the sling of the baby carrier of Figure 6 open.

7. Description of an embodiment of the invention

The invention thus relates to a ventral baby carrier, whose harness comprises a belt, a rigid back pad, and two carrying straps for carrying the seat that circulate under the arms of the wearer to transfer the weight of the baby to the back pad who transfers it to the belt.

7.1. Overall distribution of efforts

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, an embodiment of a baby carrier according to the invention is presented.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the baby 1 is sitting in a seat 3, worn on the belly of the wearer 2 with a harness 4. This harness 4 is also shown in Figure 2, open and "flat" . As can be seen in these figures, the seat where the child is is connected by its upper attachment 31 to the carrying straps 41 of the harness.

These carrying straps 41 are connected to the seat 3 via the fastener 411 placed at the end of the strap 41, and which is secured to the fastener 31 of the fastener. The other end 412 of the carrying strap 41 is secured to the top of the stiffened back structure 42.

The carrying straps 41 pass under the arms of the carrier 2 (the location of the wearer's arms is represented by the shaded area 21) and are inclined forwards. Indeed, under normal carrying conditions, the end 412 of the carrying strap is located higher than the fastener 411.

Due to this inclination forwards, the carrying strap 41 supports a large part of the child's weight, and transmits it to the top of the rigid back structure 42. Indeed, as can be seen in FIG. 2 , the weight of the baby is distributed between the fasteners 31 and 32 of the seat, acting on these fasteners respectively in the direction of the arrows L and M. The strap 41 therefore takes again the the forces represented by the arrow L, acting on the dorsal structure 42 as represented by the arrow N.

The back structure 42 is stiffened by vertical reinforcements. It is supported on the back of the wearer whose form she partially marries. Under the effect of the pulling of the straps 41, due to the weight of the baby, this structure tends to be pressed against the back of the wearer 2 and down along the back. This downward movement is blocked by the belt or lower part of the harness, which is supported on the hips of the wearer (2) and thus transmits the effort due to the weight of the baby (1). The back portion 42 thus distributes these efforts on the back and the hips of the wearer, as indicated by the arrow O.

The belt of the harness or lumbar reinforcement, is formed of the bottom of the rigid back structure 42, the belt side members 43 and the waist ventral element 44. This belt ensures the maintenance of the harness of the baby carrier on the wearer.

The waist ventral element 44 is attached to the remainder of the harness by the clips 441, and is detachable. Figure 4 thus shows the belt 44, one of the fasteners 441 is attached to the rest of the harness and the other is detached. The opening of these fasteners allows to set up and remove the harness 4.

This ventral waist element 44 supports two fastening elements 442 intended to be secured to fastening elements 32 of the seat. Thus, this ventral belt element supports part of the weight of the child, shown in Figure 2 by the arrow M, and prevents tilting of the seat. This element is supported on the wearer's belly. Its broad shape, covering a large part of the width of the wearer's belly, allows him to distribute the efforts well.

Thus, according to the invention, no effort is applied on the shoulders. In some embodiments, described below, however, shoulder straps can be provided, but they have an essentially comfort function, and do not bear support elements of the seat.

7.2. Rigidized back structure

The dorsal structure 42 therefore has the essential role of transmitting from top to bottom efforts due to the weight of the child. For this, it is stiffened by reinforcements that extend in the direction of the effort to be transmitted. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the seams of the back structure 42 define 4 strips 421, 422, 423 and 424. Each of these strips (or at least some of them) is reinforced by a leaf spring which is hidden inside the fabric structure. The arrangement of these strips, further apart at the bottom, makes it possible to distribute the forces at the level of the wearer's pelvis well.

The back structure 42 being pressed against the back of the wearer by the weight of the baby, it also performs a support role and back support. Some areas of the back being more sensitive to pressure than others, it is possible to give this back structure 42 a shape that allows it to rely on the less sensitive areas. It also naturally encourages the wearer to maintain his back in a good position, which avoids fatigue and the risk of lower back pain usually associated with carrying a load.

The bottom of the rigid dorsal structure can, in particular, marry the curve of the hips of the wearer. This part of the structure being tight against the wearer by the belt, the harness 4 will thus be effectively maintained, without risk of slipping.

7.3. Seated

A seating solution adaptable to the harness of the baby carrier according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. This seat is advantageously detachable from the harness.

In the seat that is shown in the figures, the baby can be seated indifferently in one direction or the other. It can therefore be installed in the baby carrier either facing the wearer or back to the wearer. One can also imagine a seat that has the attachments to attach to the harness on both sides, which would bring the baby to the wearer or back to the wearer leaving it in the same position in the seat.

To carry the youngest babies, the seat can be replaced by a basket (not shown) in which the baby is lying. In this case, the basket is fixed to the harness in the same way as the seat. The skilled person can also imagine adapting to the harness any other model seat.

The attachment of the seat to the harness is done by the hooks 32 which are secured to the fasteners 442 of the harness belt, and by the fasteners 31 which are secured to the fasteners 411 of the harness carrying straps. As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the hooks 32 are on the portion of the seat that is against the wearer and the fasteners 31 are on the portion of the seat away from the wearer. This avoids any risk of tilting of the seat.

The attachment points 31 and 32 of the seat are therefore distributed in a substantially horizontal plane, one near the wearer's body, and the other away from the wearer's body. This distribution is opposed to the vertical distribution of known systems like that of Figure 1, where the fasteners 92 and 92 are located one above the other.

The baby carrier according to the invention allows the baby to be carried lower than many baby carriers of the prior art. This low port has several advantages. On the one hand, it brings the center of gravity of the "carrier and baby" assembly closer to the center of gravity of the wearer. The wearer is less unbalanced by the weight of the baby, its center of gravity is less modified. On the other hand, the baby is less uncomfortable with the wearer's view. This one has a bigger field of vision than if the baby is higher, especially downwards. The wearer can better see or walk and avoid tripping over low obstacles, such as curbs. The risks of falling from the wearer are therefore significantly reduced by the lower carrying of the baby.

The seat shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 includes an optional protection 33 for protecting the baby's head. This protection can be, optionally, deployed or folded behind the back of the baby. Thus, FIG. 8 represents the baby carrier with the protection 33 deployed, and FIG. 9 represents it with the protection 33 folded. In the deployed position, the protection 33 can be maintained by securing its fastener 331 to the fastener 451 of the shoulder straps 45.

7.4. braces

The straps 45, shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 have the main role of providing a fastener to maintain the protection 33. It can also be used to secure the baby carrier avoiding its fall in case of inadvertent opening of the fasteners. the belt. These straps are not designed to support the weight of the baby, as shown in Figure 2.

Figures 8 and 9 show two embodiments of the baby carrier according to the invention equipped with straps. On that of Figure 8, these straps are connected to the belt by means of a fastener 452. On that of Figure 9, these straps have a loop for passing the carrying strap 41. The choice of these Brace attachment methods are unimportant as they do not play a significant role in the carry.

7.5. Other aspects

The seat shown in Figure 7 comprises a grid, or a ventilation net 34, to ventilate the baby. This ventilation grille is masked in FIG. 6 by the cover 35. This cover can be wound and held by a holding device 351, as seen in FIG. 7.

The various fasteners 411, 31, 441, 31, 331 and 451 are fasteners connecting two straps, well known to those skilled in the art. These straps are themselves sewn to the elements of the baby carrier. Conventionally, these fasteners are made of plastic material and include a device for adjusting the length of one of the straps. The harness is thus fully adjustable to adapt to the wearer's morphology.

Claims (13)

A ventral baby carrier, comprising a harness (4) having a lower part resting on the hips of a wearer and two carrying straps (41) intended to be secured to a seat (3) intended to receive a baby,
characterized in that said carrying straps (41) circulate under the arms of said carrier (2), and are connected: at said seat, by a first point of connection (411) situated on a part of the seat remote from said wearer, and a stiffened backbone structure for taking up forces, by a second connection point (412) located at the back of said carrier (2) and higher than said first connection point (411), said stiffened back-up striker structure reflecting at least a portion of the forces applied on said carrying straps (41) to said lower portion. Baby carrier according to claim 1 characterized in that said seat (3) has at least two attachment points remote from the wearer (31) and at least one attachment point close to the wearer (32), said attachment points remote from the carrier (31) being secured to said carrying straps (41), and or said attachment points close to the carrier (32) being secured to said lower portion. Baby carrier according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said lower portion comprises a ventral support element for a distribution of forces applied over a wide width of the belly of the wearer. Baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said attachment points close to the wearer and said attachment points remote from the wearer are in a substantially horizontal plane, when the baby is worn. Baby carrier according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said seat (3) for containing the baby (1) is detachable from said harness (4). Baby carrier according to claim 5 characterized in that said seat (3) can be fixed by the user in position facing the wearer, or in position back to the wearer. Baby carrier according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that said seat (3) can be replaced by a basket, wherein said baby (1) is substantially elongated. Baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bottom of said stiffened back structure (42) comprises a rear portion of said lower portion. Baby carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that said stiffened back structure (42) comprises reinforcements ranging from the attachment zone of said carrying straps to the rear portion of said lower portion. Baby carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that said reinforcements comprise leaf springs. Baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the harness comprises straps (45) intended to pass over the shoulders of the wearer. Baby carrier according to claim 11, characterized in that said straps are fixed, in front of the wearer, to said carrying straps (41). Harness for a ventral baby carrier having a lower portion resting on the hips of a wearer and two carrying straps (41) intended to be secured to a seat (3) intended to receive a baby (1),
characterized in that said carrying straps (41) circulate under the arms of said carrier (2), and are connected; - at the said base, by a first connection point (411), located on a portion of the seat away from said wearer, and a stiffened backbone structure for taking up forces, by a second connection point (412) located at the back of said carrier (2) and higher than said first connection point (411), said stiffened back-up striker structure reflecting at least a portion of the forces applied on said carrying straps (41) to said lower portion.

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