EP1814423B1

EP1814423B1 - Carrying harness

Info

Publication number: EP1814423B1
Application number: EP05796395.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulf Sandström
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2005-10-26
Publication date: 2013-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-26
Also published as: SE527785C2; EP1814423A4; SE0402695L; EP1814423A1; WO2006054934A1; SE0402695D0

Description

The technical area of the invention

The invention described is a carrying device. The carrying device is intended to allow the user to carry an object, for example a child, against one hip by distributing the involved forces and freeing the hands of the user. This is solved by a construction that distributes the forces between a shoulder sling and a carrying bag. The invention will work on either shoulder. Specific for this invention is that it will work both under and over exterior clothing, and that it is so small when not used that it will fit into a belt bag the size of a pair of ski glasses. Another specific function is that it can be used as a carrying device in general, also for clothing, harvesting or smaller animals.

Standing point of the technology

Dunng examination of similar products and patents there has been no other invention solving the distribution of forces in a similar way - or that is capable of carring a child older than 1 year on either hip, over or under exterior clothing. No other invention has been found to be as compact when not used - and therefore always accessible to the user.
Through US 6213362B1 is previously known a carrying device for infants. The device consists of a simple bag and a shoulder support with simple locking devices. This invention does not handle larger children, and does not distribute the forces to the opposite shoulder-instead it puts all force on the shoulder of the carrier. It has no specific safety solution and is designed around a lock with a simple catch. It is large when not in use.
Through EP 0860127A2 is previously known a carrying device for smaller children-it involves a number of complex harnesses, buckles and pieces of cloth material-all being fairly complicated ta adjust between different owners. This also affects the possibilities for carrier or child to wear exterior clothing since adjusting is complicated. It is large when not in use.
Through US 004757925 is previously known a carrying device for infants. The device consists of a piece of resizable cloth that is put as a ring over the shoulder of the carrier, and functions like a carrying bag for infants. It cannot handle children larger than small infants, and will not provide any support against the hip of the carrier - instead, all forces are concentrated to the shoulder of the carrier. It is large when not in use.
Through US 005685466A is previously known a carrying device for smaller children - it involves a number of complex harnesses, buckles and pieces of cloth material - all being fairly complicated to adjust between different owners. This also affects the possibilities for carrier or child to wear exterior clothing since adjusting is complicated. It is large when not in use.
CH 237107 discloses a shoulder bag having an additional strap attached to the shoulder strap. When the person using the shoulder bag has put the shoulder bag on one shoulder and the shoulder strap is hanging down across his body to the bag on the opposite side, the additional strap is placed underneath the armpit and is attached to the shoulder strap at the front and back side of the person. The purpose is to prevent that the shoulder strap slides towards the throat and neck of the person.
US 4389005 discloses an infant carrier having a seat portion with a shoulder strap extending diagonally across the carrying adult's body. The seat has a rigid saddle-like structure.

The purpose and specifics of the invention

A primary object of this invention is to define a carrying device for a child that is at least one year old, that is extremely simple to apply and adjust, but also so small that it will fit into a very compact belt bag and therefore always is at hand.
Another object is that it shall distribute both weight and shape of the child, thereby lessening the strain on the carrier, and partly freeing the hands of the carrier for other purposes.
Another object is that it shall be possible to wear on either shoulder, and shall work both under and over exterior clothing.
Another object is that it is equally possible to use as a carrying device in general-whenever the child is not being carried - for clothing, mushroom picking or smaller domestic animals.
According to the present invention, said object is achived by a carrying device having the characteristics set out in claim 1.

Short description of the drawings

Below a possible realisation of the invention is described according to the enclosed drawing where

Fig 1 shows the carrying device from the top
Fig 2 shows a view of the carrying device
Fig 3 shows the carrying device applied to a carrier
Fig 4 shows the carrying device folded into a belt bag

Detailed description of a proposed realisation of the inventioin

The carrying device as shown in Fig 1-4 consists of a shoulder loop and a carrying bag plus adjustment buckles.
The shoulder loop can be placed around either shoulder of the carrier, and can consist of any material that meets the purpose, for example of a woven material of the kind used in safety belts. The shoulder loop is fixed in the back through a buckle and an adjustable contraption with the carrying bag to accomodate different sizes and clothing of carrier and child. In the front part of the shoulder loop there is a locking device that can be controlled with a one hand grip by the carrier to fasten and unfasten the child.
The carrying bag should consist of a suitable material, for example a woven security strap that is sewn together with a main cloth, that creates a bag that will provide support under and around the childs bottom and back when applied. The security strap is a closed loop with a buckle in the front that can be fastened into the opposite locking device of the shoulder strap This buckle can consist of a steel ring, or any other suitable construction that fills the same criteria of security and handling.
The carrying device is applicated by the user threading the shoulder loop over either shoulder with the locking device in the front. The carrying bag will then hang down at the back of the carrier. The child is lifted to the hip of the carrier, as the carrier would carry the child on the hip without the carrying device. The carrier uses the hand on the child side to apply the carrying bag under the bottom of the child and into the locking device of the shoulder loop. After this the carrier can adj ust the carriying bag around the bottom and back of the child. Certain simple adjustment can be made with the strap in the ring of the carrying bag on the front. The locking device can be a hook of any kind with a safety catch or any other kind of construction that meets the purpose, safety and handling requirements.
The carrying device distributes the childs weight and forces evenly around the hip through the carrying bag, and relieves stress for the carrier around the opposite shoulder with the shoulder loop. The child will sit as if the carrier has a third hand under it, and will have certain support under bottom and back, plus a closeness to the carrier which most children find very positive. The child will often appreciate the possibility to experience the world with the eyes at the same level as the carrier. The carrier will have a lessened carrying stress on the body, and also free hands.
The carrying device described in Fig 1-4 is firstmost intended to be used as a support when the child is carried against the hip of the carrier-specifically in situations when the child has suddenly become too tired to walk and carrying is necessary. The simpleness in application and the compact format when it is not in use are therefore essential qualities.

Possible modifications of the invention

The description above of how the invention can be realized is referring to a carrying support when a child is being carried on the hip of the carrier, in other words when a grown person needs to carry a child over one year old a while and needs help.
However, the principle of the invention, and specifically the carrying bag and the adjustment buckles, can also be applied to other types of carrying devices, and do not need to have the exact same solution for locking adjustments or carrying bag.
In the description above the carrying device does not include any type of strap to secure the child other than the construction itself. It is possible to view, within the invention, to include a security belt or a similar device that allows the child to be more secured. In this currently described form the inventions will work also as a carrying bag for clothes or smaller domestic animals.

Claims

A carrying device consisting of a closed shoulder loop (1) that will enclose either shoulder of the carrier, and a carrier bag (3), wherein the shoulder loop (1) is joined at one first end (2) with the carrier bag (3), wherein the carrier bag (3) consists of a closed looped strap with a piece of material (4) that will distribute the shape and weight of the carried object, wherein the carrier bag (3) has at least one adjustable buckle (5) to adapt to different sizes of carriers, wherein a free end of the carrier bag (3) has a fastening buckle (6) that is designed to work together with a corresponding locking device (7) in a second other end (8) of the shoulder loop (1), and that can be opened and closed with a one hand operation.
A carrying device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier bag (3) consists of a closed loop with a material (4) attached that forms the carrying part of the carrier bag (3).
A carrying device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the shoulder loop (1) consists of a closed loop shaped so that it can enclose the shoulder of the carrier by putting the arm therethrough, and this way distributing the forces over the shoulder parts.
A carrying device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the shoulder loop (1) has a locking device (7) in front that is locked with the carrier bag (3) when used, and that preferably can be operated with one hand.
A carrying device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that when it is not in use can be compacted into a belt bag, or similar, which guarantees that it always can be at hand.
A carrying device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it is adjustable so the carrier can have exterior clothes during use, and be of different size.
A carrying device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it is adjustable so the carrier and a carried child can have exterior clothes during use, and be of different size.