EP4633428A1

EP4633428A1 - A baby carrier device

Info

Publication number: EP4633428A1
Application number: EP23841037.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elliot Vernon HILL; Hester Joan MACANARA
Original assignee: Cari Fit Ltd
Current assignee: Cari Fit Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-15
Filing date: 2023-12-14
Publication date: 2025-10-22
Also published as: GB2623381A; WO2024127016A1; GB2623381B; GB202218969D0

Abstract

A wearable baby carrier comprising a main body portion and having shoulder straps extending from an upper part of the main body portion and a waist strap extending from a lower part of the main body portion. The main body portion comprises a baby support section in which a child can be placed, and the baby support section is arranged to support the child between the baby support section and the torso of a wearer and the baby support section. The baby support section has a seat portion proximal the waist strap and the seat portion is provided with side sections on respective lateral sides. Each of the side sections is adjustable to vary the width of the seat portion in order to accommodate children of varying size.

Description

A Baby Carrier Device

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a child carrier device, particularly to a baby carrier and a method of fitting the same.

Background to the Invention

Wearable child carriers, particularly baby carriers, are increasingly popular with parents in order to provide a hands-free way in which to support and transport a child.

As the child grows the way in which they need to be supported changes. For example, a new-born baby needs support in a different position from an infant, such as a two-year- old. Rather than purchase different sized carriers, it is preferable that a single carrier can adapt to the changing child. Whilst adjustment for the child is important, the device must still be comfortable for the parent, otherwise, the device may cause injury to the parent and/or child.

Conventionally, baby carriers have adjustable seats to support the child’s changing shape as the child grows. For example, W02018081603 (The Ergo Baby Carrier Inc) describes an adjustable child carrier with multiple carry orientations. In that document, the seat width in which the child is supported is adjustable. The adjustment mechanism therein comprises base width adjusters with the first part of a hook-and-eye fastening mechanism and multiple pads comprising the other part of the hook-and-eye fastening mechanism. The pads are arranged on the inner side of the waist belt to increase the hold of the hook and loop material when in use because of the pressure against the base width adjusters.

US2012298702 (Dong-In Entech Co., Ltd.) discloses a baby carrier having an adjustment mechanism for increasing and decreasing the width of the seat portion. The adjustment mechanism comprises external upper and lower rails and a back support web connected to the rails by sliding connectors. Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a wearable baby carrier comprising: a main body portion; shoulder straps extending from an upper part of the main body portion; a waist strap extending from a lower part of the main body portion; wherein, the main body portion comprises a baby support section in which a child can be placed; wherein the baby support section is arranged to support the child between the baby support section and the torso of a wearer and the baby support section having a seat portion proximal the waist strap and the seat portion being provided with side sections on respective lateral sides thereof, each of the side sections being adjustable to vary the overall width of the seat portion in order to support the legs of children of varying size, wherein, each of the side sections is provided with the first part of an adjustment mechanism, with respective second parts of the adjustment mechanisms being spaced laterally apart on the waist strap; and wherein the seat portion has a first overall width in which the adjustment elements are in respective first positions, and a second, greater width, in which the adjustment elements are spaced laterally further apart in respective second positions; and wherein the adjustment mechanism is externally accessible when the carrier is worn by a user.

Thus, in the present invention, a seat adjustment mechanism is provided that comprises a seat portion with adjustable-width side sections. The adjustable side sections, in use, support the child’s legs, with the preferred position of the legs being determined by the size of the child. Therefore, children over varying size can be accommodated in the same baby carrier by adjusting the side sections to provide suitable support to the child’s legs. The adjustment mechanism is, preferably, placed externally on the waist strap to allow it to be externally accessible whilst the carrier is worn and the result of the present invention is that the width of the side sections can be adjusted whilst the child is in-situ, thereby allowing a correct position to be obtained without disturbing the child. If the child is sleeping and adjustment is required, unlikely carriers with internal adjustment mechanisms, the child does not need to be woken or removed from the carrier to adjust the seat position. Furthermore, with the second parts of the connection mechanism being laterally spaced on the waist band, the width of the seat can be adjusted to support the child in a more comfortable manner, without corresponding adjustment of the top of the seat, which might constrict the child’s thigh. A further benefit of having the second parts of the connection mechanisms laterally spaced on the waist strap is that wider adjustment can be achieved than having the adjustment on the seat portion itself.

The baby support section has an upper end and a lower end. At the lower end, the central portion of the baby support section, or seat portion, is a fixed width and it can be connected to, or adjacent, the waist strap at an interface. The interface between the baby support section and the waist strap, or adjacent the waist strap, may be stitched together or may be integrally formed and the resulting seat portion, supports the child’s bottom and is of a constant width, whilst the side sections, or leg supports, can be adjusted to support the child’s legs in different positions, as required. Thus, the adjustment mechanism can be used to adjust the overall width of the seat portion, whilst the width of the central part of the seat portion is not changed. An advantage of the central section of the seat portion being of fixed width is that when the overall width of the seat portion is adjusted, by changing the position of the adjustment mechanism, the central section is not compressed and creased up, which can create a ruffled section under the child. A ruffled or compressed section may be uncomfortable, especially over extended periods of the child being in the carrier.

Preferably, each of the respective second parts of the adjustment mechanism comprise a rail and the first parts may comprise a sliding adjuster that engages the rail. The side portions of seat portion can be width adjustable, with a first part of the sliding adjustment being provided on each of the respective side sections, and that first part engaging with respective second parts of the sliding adjustment being provided on the waist strap of the carrier. The second parts of the sliding adjustment may be in the form of a rails that allows the sliding adjusters to move therealong. This enables a continuous adjustment system, rather than having discrete positions, thereby allowing a more appropriate fitting leg support for the child. In one arrangement, the sliding adjustment element comprises position locators to reduce the risk of undesired movement from a set position. These may be in the form of notches on the rails and protrusions on the sliders, or vice versa. Whilst the adjustment can be continuous, it may be advantageous to have pre-set positions from which the adjustment mechanism is less likely to move. Thus, notches and protrusions may be used to hold the slider in certain positions. Additionally, or alternatively, friction connections may be employed, wherein a higher degree of friction reduces the risk of the slider moving accidentally. Whilst clips and other mechanisms may be used, the use of locators allows for one-handed operation, which may be particularly useful when a child is in the carrier and a parent cannot reach with two hands.

It is preferable that the shoulder straps are connected to a back panel. The back panel assists with spreading the load of the child over a larger area and also assists with reducing the risk of the seat portion moving out of shape. Where straps are employed without the use of a back panel, there is a risk that the if the straps slip when in use, the child carrying portion can deform and so the positioning and posture of the child is incorrect. Therefore, a back panel, in combination with the adjustment mechanism can provide a more secure and safer carrier. Furthermore, the back panel reduces strain on the wearer’s shoulders, thereby making the carrier more comfortable and reducing the risk of injury.

Advantageously, the back panel comprises releasable mid-straps that connect from the back panel to the baby support section. Having straps that connect from the baby support section to the back panel allows the baby support section to be correctly fitted and to spread the load of the child over a larger surface area than just the straps. This is particularly useful wherein the carrier is used during exercise in order to cushion the movement of the child and reduce the risk of injury to the wearer.

In one embodiment, child arm straps are provided on the internal surface of the baby support section. In order to assist with holding the child in the baby support section adequately, internal arm straps may be provided on the harness, through which the child’s arm may be placed to reduce the risk of movement. Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a baby carrier according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the baby carrier of Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 5 show the baby carrier of Figure 1 in different positions;

Figures 6 to 8 show the carrier of Figure 1, in use, when in the positions shown in Figures 3 to 5;

Figure 9 shows the carrier of Figure 1 when in use and with the preferred position of a child’s legs; and

Figures 10 to 14 show the carrier of Figure 1 in various positions.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Figures 1 to 12 show a baby carrier 10 that has a main body portion 12, with shoulder straps 14 extending from a top end of the main body portion 12. The shoulder straps 14 converge upon a top part of a back panel 16, with a head hole 18 formed within the shoulder straps 14 and the back panel 16. The lower part of the back panel 16 is provided with laterally extending support straps 20, and the ends of the support straps 20 that are distal from the back panel 16 are provided with the respective first parts, in the form of a clip 22, of respective lateral connection mechanisms. The support straps 20 are length adjustable.

The bottom end of the main body portion 12 is provided with a length adjustable waist strap 24, which extends laterally, relative to the body portion 12. The ends of the waist strap 24 are provided with the two parts of a waist strap connector 26, which is in the form of a click-fit buckle, or side-release buckle, with the ends of the waist strap having respective parts; a male part 26a at one end and a female part 26b at the other end.

The main body portion 12 comprises a baby support section 30. The baby support section 30 has laterally extending arms 32 at the ends of which are the respective second parts of the lateral connection mechanism, in the form of clips 34. The lower end of the baby support section 30 is connected to the waist strap 24 and the lower part of the baby support section 30 forms a seat portion 36 in which a child can be supported, when in use. The seat portion 36 has side sections 38 that, in use, support the child’s legs. Each of the side sections 38 is expandable by way of side expansion section, or web, 40 of material that is connected to the seat portion 36 and to a side tab 42. The side tab 42 extends towards the waist strap 24 and the adjacent end of the side tab 42 is provided with a slider element 44, with the side tab 42 extending a little further than the slider element 44 to provide a grip section 46. When the side tab 42 is positioned close to the seat portion 36, the side expansion section, or web, 40 creates a narrower seat portion 36 than when the side tab 42 is positioned further from the seat portion 36. In turn, these side sections support the child’s legs in a different position.

The waist strap 24 is provided with two laterally spaced apart rail elements 48. These rail elements 48 are positioned on the external surface of the waist strap 24 and they are arranged to have a first end 50 proximal the seat portion 36 and a second end 52 distal therefrom. A cover may be provided on the waist strap 24 to hide the ends of the rail elements 46 from view, but to allow access thereto. Adjacent the rail elements are respective position indicators 54 that has three positions 54a, 54b, 54c marked thereupon. The first position 54a on the position indicators 54 is proximal the seat portion 36 and the third position 54c on the position indicators 54 is distal from the seat portion 36, with the second position 54b arranged between the first and second positions.

Each rail element 48 is provided with a plurality of apertures, or recesses, arranged in different, predetermined positions along the rail element 48, and each slider element 44 is provided with a protrusion that can be received into the apertures of the rail element 48. The slider element 44 can slide along the rail element 48 and where the protrusion reaches an aperture, it can engage therein. The engagement is able to be overcome with a moderate amount of force on the slider element 44, so that the user can readily adjust the position, but the engagement resists inadvertent movement of the slider element 44 along the rail element 48. This provides tactile feedback to the user when the slider element 44 engages or disengages the apertures. The slider elements 44 engage with the respective rail elements 48 and can slide along the rail elements 48. As shown in Figures 4 to 8, because the top of the side expansion section 40 is anchored on the upper part of the baby support section 30, only the lower part of the side expansion section 40 extends to increase the width of the seat portion 36. An advantage of this is that the seat portion 36, regardless of the slider position, supports the underside of the leg, without restricting the movement of, or interfering with, the upper surface of the leg. Therefore, the child’s legs can be positioned in a safer and more comfortable manner, without inhibiting the movement of the lower part of the leg. The side expansion section 40 creates a triangular shaped support to assist with supporting the child’s legs.

When putting on the device 10, the user 60 places the waist strap 24 around their waist and connects the waist strap connector 26 to ensure a secure fit, as shown in Figure 10. The length of the waist strap 24 can then be adjusted to fit appropriately. When the waist strap 24 is securely affixed to the user 60, a child can be positioned above the waist strap 24 against the torso of the user, after which the back panel 16 is placed over the user’s head, thereby placing the shoulder straps 14 over the user’s shoulders. The back panel 16 is positioned between the user’s shoulder blades and the child is supported between the main body portion 12 and the user’s torso. The respective clips of the lateral connection mechanism can then be connected, with clips 22 of the support straps 20 being connected to the clips 34 of the arms 32 of the baby support section 30. The respective straps can then be tightened to ensure that the baby support section 30 holds the child safely against user’s torso. The child’s bottom is supported by the seat portion 32, with their legs extending down the sides of the wearer’s torso.

Once the child is safely within the carrier, the position of the child’s legs can be adjusted without removing the carrier by adjusting the external adjustment section. This allows for a more accurate fit and for the child to remain in place whilst the process is carried out. As shown in Figure 9, the child’s legs should form an “M” shape when in the carrier. To that end, the width adjustment mechanism of the seat portion can be operated to adjust the support provided to, and position of, the legs. The position indicator 54 allows the wearer to assess the best position for the child’s legs, so that they can put the slider element 48 into the same position later on. The width adjustment of the seat, is enabled by moving the slider element 44 along the rail element 48. In turn, the lower part of the side sections, or web, 40 can be extended or retracted to change the overall width of the seat section. The slider element 48 can be put into the various positions shown in Figures 3 to 5 and the support given to the child’s legs is adjusted accordingly, as shown in corresponding Figures 6 to 8. Thus, the slider position can be adjusted for each of the child’s legs in a convenient and accessible manner.

The carrier 10 may be provided with further elements to enhance the comfort for the wearer and the child, for example, a sealable pocket, or pouch, 62 may be provided on the waist strap 24 or elsewhere on the carrier. Similarly, a neck support section 66 can be provided, which may have a raised position and a lowered position. The neck support 66 may be connected along one of its edges to the baby carrier and it may pivot to an upward position or a downward position around the connected edge.

Arm straps may be provided on shoulder straps 20. These may be in the form of loops through which the child’s arms can be fed when the child is in the carrier. The arm straps can reduce the risk of the child moving out of position.

It will be appreciated that the apertures on the rail element and the protrusions on the slider can be reversed so that the slider element has a recess, or aperture, and the rail has a protrusions. This still reduces the risk of inadvertent movement and allows for tactile feedback as the position of the slider is adjusted.

The straps may be releasably connected to the back panel to aid with the putting on and removing of the carrier.

Claims

1. A wearable baby carrier comprising: a main body portion; shoulder straps extending from an upper part of the main body portion; a waist strap extending from a lower part of the main body portion; wherein, the main body portion comprises a baby support section in which a child can be placed; wherein the baby support section is arranged to support the child between the baby support section and the torso of a wearer and the baby support section having a seat portion proximal the waist strap and the seat portion being provided with side sections on respective lateral sides thereof, each of the side sections being adjustable to vary the overall width of the seat portion in order to support the legs of children of varying size, wherein, each of the side sections is provided with the first part of an adjustment mechanism, with respective second parts of the adjustment mechanisms being spaced laterally apart on the waist strap; and wherein the seat portion has a first overall width in which the adjustment elements are in respective first positions, and a second, greater width, in which the adjustment elements are spaced laterally further apart in respective second positions; and wherein the adjustment mechanism is externally accessible when the carrier is worn by a user.

2. A wearable baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein each of the respective adjustment mechanism comprises a sliding adjustment, with a first part of the sliding adjustment being provided on each of the respective side sections, and respective second parts of the sliding adjustment being provided on the waist strap of the carrier.

3. A wearable baby carrier according to claim 2, wherein the sliding adjustment element comprises position locators to reduce the risk of undesired movement from a set position. A wearable baby carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shoulder straps are connected to a back panel. A wearable baby carrier according to claim 4, wherein the back panel comprises releasable mid-straps that connect from the back panel to the baby support section. A wearable baby carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein child arm straps are provided on the internal surface of the baby support section.