EP2890274B1 - Baby carrier comprising a removable infant insert - Google Patents

Description

The field of the invention is that of childcare, and in particular, devices for the transport of infants and young children. More specifically, the invention relates to baby carriers, that is to say the devices for carrying a child against the body of an adult.

Such baby carriers generally include a harness, having two straps, and a carrying element, or pocket, shaped to receive the child. Thus, this pocket defines two openings, at the bottom, which can each receive a leg of the child, and separated by a crotch portion, and an upper portion, extending from the crotch portion, against which comes in support the back of the child (if it is worn facing the wearer) or the torso of the child (if it is worn back to the wearer).

For such a baby carrier can be used over a relatively long period of time, for example from 0 to 2 years (0 to 12 kg), it has been proposed that the width of the upper part is adjustable, for example in the patent document FR 2838033 .

It was also proposed in the document US 4492326 , that the width of the crotch can be adjusted.

However, in all cases, the transported child is in a suspended position, in support of the crotch, which can be uncomfortable and cause problems of blood circulation (it is noted that some children transported have blue legs due to this poor blood circulation).

We still know, by the document WO2010 / 123447 , a baby carrier equipped with an adjustment piece, making it possible to define two positions, for a child transported, a first position in which the child is, conventionally, substantially elongated along the wearer's body, and a second position, in which the child is in a substantially seated position.

This approach allows to vary the position of the child, the adjustment can be made while the child is present in the seat, by zipping or unclipping the adjustment piece. A disadvantage of this technique is that it is not suitable for the transport of infants, but only children over 3 months. This approach allows you to vary the position of a child of a certain size, but does not offer adjustment depending on the size of the child. In addition, the adjustment piece, when unzipped, is pendulous, and therefore potentially annoying for the wearer, and unattractive.

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 for transporting a child from 0 to 24 months, offering comfort adapted to different age ranges.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide such a baby carrier, which is comfortable for the youngest children (from 0 to 6 months) by avoiding that they are in a suspended position, impeding the circulation blood.

Another object of the invention is still, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a baby carrier, which is simple to use and adjust.

The invention also aims, in at least one embodiment, to provide such a baby carrier, which is compact and relatively inexpensive.

These and other objects, which will become more apparent later, are achieved with a baby carrier, including a harness and a child support member, including a lower portion defining two openings for passage of the child's legs, and a portion forming a backrest, connected to said harness by means of reversible hooking.

According to the invention such a baby carrier is equipped with a removable reducer, comprising a back element, solidarisable said backrest portion, and a seat member, extending substantially perpendicularly to said backrest member. In addition, the file element forms a sleeve, inside which is housed at least the upper end of the back portion.

Thus, the baby carrier can be used on the one hand conventionally, in the absence of the gearbox, and on the other hand in a new way, in the presence of the reducer. The latter situation, which corresponds to a use for the younger children, typically less than 6 months, allows installation of the child in a substantially seated position, the legs extending substantially horizontally.

The reducer is not only to reduce the space, reducing the backrest area or the crotch area. It makes it possible to modify the position of the child, so that his legs are substantially horizontal (whereas they will be classically vertical when he is older, and that the reducer has been removed). In this way, we increase the comfort of the child, and the possible problems of poor circulation in the legs are eliminated.

In addition, the back element forming a sheath, inside which is housed at least the upper end of the back portion, it is thus easy to secure the two elements, and effectively maintain the reducer in his nominal position.

Such a sheath can completely or almost completely cover the back portion.

The sleeve may have two openings, allowing the passage of fastening means integral with the upper end of the back portion. These attachment means may in particular be mounted on extensions of the backrest portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the baby carrier comprises reversible securing means of the gearbox to the support member.

The sheath provides a first bond. However, it may be desirable, in some embodiments, in addition or alternatively, to provide other securing means.

These may in particular be placed in the lower part of the file element and / or on the seat element.

According implemented, these connection means belong eg to the group comprising buttons, snap, Velcro ^® strips, ...

According to a particular embodiment, the seat element carries lateral elements extending substantially perpendicularly to the backrest element and to the seat element.

These lateral elements can be used to at least partially close the openings allowing the passage of the legs of the child, in combination with the seat element, and / or to guide and maintain the legs of a child in a direction substantially horizontal.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the backrest portion of the support member has an upper notch, adapted to the passage of the head of a child carried back to the wearer.

Indeed, according to the prior art, the backrest portion must be high enough to provide a backrest function in the position facing the wearer, and must therefore be folded when the child is transported back to the wearer. However, according to the invention, the backrest function can be provided by the gearbox, in position facing the carrier, and the forming part backrest of the support element can be reduced, to be adapted to the use back to the carrier, without a withdrawal is necessary.

The invention also relates to removable reducers as such, intended to equip a baby carrier as described above. Such a removable reducer comprises a back element solidarisable to the back portion of the baby carrier, and a seat member, extending substantially perpendicularly to the backrest element, when mounted in the baby carrier. In addition, such a backrest element forms a sleeve, inside which is housed at least the upper end of the backrest portion of the baby carrier.

• Les figures 1A et 1B illustrent un exemple de porte-bébé, connu en soi, comprenant un harnais (figure 1A) et un élément de support d'enfant (figure 1B) ;
• La figure 2 illustre un réducteur amovible selon l'invention, adapté au porte-bébé de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 présente le porte-bébé de la figure 2, assemblé avec l'élément de support de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 illustre un enfant installé dans le porte-bébé équipé du réducteur;
• La figure 5 illustre l'installation d'un enfant, en l'absence du réducteur ;
• La figure 6 illustre une variante de l'invention, selon laquelle l'élément de support présente une échancrure en partie supérieure.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended figures in which:

• The Figures 1A and 1B illustrate an example of a baby carrier, known per se, comprising a harness ( Figure 1A ) and a child support element ( Figure 1B );
• The figure 2 illustrates a removable reducer according to the invention, adapted to the baby carrier of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 presents the baby carrier of the figure 2 , assembled with the support element of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 4 illustrates a child in the carrier with the gearbox;
• The figure 5 illustrates the installation of a child, in the absence of the gearbox;
• The figure 6 illustrates a variant of the invention, wherein the support member has a notch in the upper part.

The invention therefore relates to an improvement of baby carriers, using a removable reducer for transporting, in a substantially seated position (the legs, or at least the thighs, being substantially horizontal, and not vertical), an infant, for example example on an age range of the order of 0 to 6 months. Thus, it avoids the problems of blood circulation in the legs of the child, and it is installed comfortably.

The invention can be adapted to most existing baby carriers. Thus, the embodiment described below applies to a baby carrier such as that described in the patent document. EP 1 665 959 , in the name of the Applicant. Such a baby carrier comprises a harness 11, as illustrated by the Figure 1A , and a support element 12 of a child, intended to be secured to the harness 11 ,, as illustrated by the Figure 1B .

• une zone, ou partie, 121 formant dossier, lorsque l'enfant est transporté face au porteur, ou baudrier, lorsque l'enfant est transporté dos contre le porteur,
• une zone, ou partie, 122 d'entre-jambes, définissant les ouvertures 1221 et 1222 dans lesquelles les jambes de l'enfant seront placées, et
• une zone, ou partie, 123 de rabat.

The support element 12 presents:

• an area, or part, forming a backrest, when the child is transported facing the wearer, or shoulder harness, when the child is carried back against the wearer,
• a zone, or part, 122 of crotch, defining the openings 1221 and 1222 in which the legs of the child will be placed, and
• a zone, or part, 123 of flap.

This support element 12 also has elements 131, 132 and 133 of detachable connection with the harness 11.

In this embodiment, the harness 11 comprises shoulder straps 111 and a belt 114, as well as complementary straps 112 intended to circulate under the wearer's arms associated with a lumbar support 113, that is to say a stiffened dorsal structure of recovery of effort. This type of harness makes it possible to improve the wearer's comfort. For more details on the implementation of this type of harness, and on a corresponding support element, reference will be made to the aforementioned patent document, as well as the products distributed by the Applicant and implementing it, in particular under the brand "Welcom".

It is also important to note that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment. In particular, the invention can be implemented on other types of baby carriers using a harness and a support element integral with this harness, such as, for example, the baby carrier described in the patent document. FR 2 838 033 mentioned in the preamble.

As already explained, these known baby carriers are well suited for children of a certain age, for example more than 6 months, but may pose problems of comfort and blood circulation in the legs, for younger children . To overcome this drawback, the invention provides a removable reducer, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

This reducer has a back element 21 and a seat member 22. It is here preformed, so that the seat member 22 extends substantially horizontally, when the back member 21 is substantially vertical (position of use). Other means for correctly placing the seat element when the gearbox is placed on the support element may be provided (reinforcements, hooking means, additional guiding and holding zones, etc.), on the seat element 22 and / or on the support element 12 in particular, to replace or complete the preforming of the gearbox.

Side members January ₂₃ 23 ₂ are advantageously provided, on a portion of the lateral edges of the seat 22. They extend substantially perpendicularly to this base, in the extension of the back member 21. Thus, when child is installed in this reducer, his legs, or at least his thighs, are held by the seat 22 and the side members 23 ₁ , 23 ₂ , and therefore extend substantially horizontally (see figure 4 ). The side edges 23 ₁ , 23 ₂ at least partially close the openings 1221 and 1222, and thus prevent the thighs from entering and therefore extend vertically.

The reducer can be secured to the support member 12 in different ways (buttons, snaps, zip, Velcro ^® , ...).

According to the particular embodiment illustrated by the figure 2 the backrest member 21 has a pocket, or sleeve 24, whose opening is defined at the base of the backrest member 21. Thus, the assembly of the support member 12 and the reducer is carried out by introducing the portion 121 of the latter into the pocket 24, to obtain the assembly illustrated on the figure 3 .

Two other openings 25 are provided in the upper part of the backrest element 21, to allow the passage of the fastening elements 131. In a variant, other securing means may be provided directly on this backrest element.

So, as illustrated on the figure 3 the assembly of the two elements is easy. It is also easy to separate the two elements, when the child no longer needs the gearbox, for example beyond 6 months. Additional elements (not shown) for reversible joining can be provided, in particular at the lower level of the backrest portion 21 (or at the base of the seat element 22), so that the gearbox remains properly positioned relative to the support member 12.

In this way, as illustrated by the figure 4 , a child can, for example in the 0 to 6 month age range, be transported in front of the wearer, in a substantially seated position, thanks to the gearbox. The thighs of the child extend horizontally, and the side edges 23 ₁ , 23 ₂ prevent them from entering the openings 1221, 1222.

In a second step, illustrated by figure 5 for example when the child is older than 6 months, the gearbox is removed, and the child is transported conventionally in the support element, back to the carrier, as shown in this figure 5 , and / or in front of the wearer.

As we see on the figure 5 , the area 121 forming file must be folded, when the child is worn "face world", or back to the wearer. According to a variant of the invention, it is possible to adapt this area 121 forming folder so that it is not necessary to fold it, as illustrated by the figure 6 . According to this embodiment, the zone 121 forming the backrest has, in the upper part, a notch 61, between the two connecting elements 131. This notch 61 is adapted so that the head of the child is free, in position "face world ", Without the need to fold the folder, or to make any adaptation (including folding) of the area 121 forming folder. This provides a baby carrier easier to use.

This is made possible by the fact that, when an infant is transported by means of the reducer, it is the element of file 21 of the latter which ensures, for a child of less than 6 months approximately, in position " facing the wearer ", the folder function. It is therefore possible to dispense with a large and high backrest area 121 on the support member 21 for the "facing the wearer" position (and consequently to reveal the notch 61).

Thus, the terms "backrest portion" or "backrest area" are understood in a broad sense, referring to the upper portion 121 of the support member. It is also recalled that this "backrest part" provides a backrest function when the child is transported in front of the wearer, but a harness function (in contact with the child's pelvis), when the child is transported in front of the child. carrier ( figure 5 ).

The invention thus provides a simple and effective solution for adapting the transport of a child in a baby carrier according to his age and / or weight. It is thus possible to use the baby carrier from birth until, for example 2 years, offering each age range the comfort and the maintenance of thighs adapted.

Other settings, for example for the width of the folder or the width of the crotch, can of course be provided, in addition.

Claims (10)

1. Baby carrier comprising a harness (11) and an element (12) for supporting an infant, the latter comprising a lower part (122) defining two openings (1221, 1222) for the legs of the infant to pass through and a part forming a backrest (121), which is connected to the said harness (11) by means of reversible attachment means (131, 132, 133),
   characterised in that it comprises a removable infant insert comprising a backrest element (21), which can be secured to the said part forming a backrest (121), and a seat element (22) extending substantially perpendicularly to the said backrest element (21),
   and in that the said backrest element (21) forms a compartment inside which at least the upper end of the part forming a backrest (121) is accommodated.
2. Baby carrier according to claim 1, characterised in that the said compartment (21) fully or almost fully covers the said part forming a backrest (121).
3. Baby carrier according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the said compartment (21) has two openings (25) allowing the said attachment means (131) to pass through.
4. Baby carrier according to claim 3, characterised in that the said attachment means (131) are mounted on extensions of the said part forming a backrest (121).
5. Baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises means for reversible securing of the said insert to the said support element (12).
6. Baby carrier according to claim 5, characterised in that the said reversible securing means are placed in the lower part of the said backrest element (21) and/or on the said seat element (22).
7. Baby carrier according to either of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the said securing means belong to the group comprising buttons, press studs and Velcro^® strips.
8. Baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the said seat element (22) at least partially closes the said openings (1221, 1222) for the legs of the infant to pass through and holds the legs of an infant in a substantially horizontal direction.
9. Baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the said part forming a backrest (121) of the support element has an upper aperture (61) suitable for the head of an infant to pass through when it is being carried with its back towards the person carrying.
10. Removable infant insert for a baby carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a backrest element (21), which can be secured to the said part forming a backrest, and a seat element (22) extending substantially perpendicularly to the said backrest element when it is fitted in the said baby carrier,
    and in that the said backrest element (21) forms a compartment inside which at least the upper end of the part forming a backrest (121) is accommodated.

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