GB2026848A

GB2026848A - Improvements in or relating to slings for carrying babies

Info

Publication number: GB2026848A
Application number: GB7902440A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MOTHERCARE Ltd
Current assignee: MOTHERCARE Ltd
Priority date: 1978-08-08
Filing date: 1979-07-30
Publication date: 1980-02-13
Also published as: GB2026848B

Abstract

A sling for carrying a baby comprises a seat portion (2) for supporting the baby, having at one edge a band (9) which extends into shoulder straps (10) at either side. A waist band (4) for the wearer is also attached to the seat portion (2) and has rings attached to it at either end. A buckle (11) is provided to hold the straps (10) adjacent to one another in a region intermediate their length which falls at the centre of the back of the wearer in use, the ends of the straps (10) may then be passed through the rings (6) of the waist band (4) and tied behind the back of the wearer to support the baby in a carrying position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to slings for carrying babies The invention relates to slings for carrying babies.

The present invention provides a sling for carrying a baby, comprising a seat portion, two carrying shoulder straps each extending from the seat portion, adjustable buckle means for holding said shoulder straps substantially adjacent one another in a region intermediate their respective lengths, and a waist band attached to the seat portion for connection with the shoulder straps.

In order that the invention may be well understood two embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sling laid out in an extended condition; Figure 2 is a partial back view of a wearer of the sling of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial side view of a wearer of the sling of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sling laid out in an extended condition; and Figure 5 is a plan view of a buckle suitable for use with either embodiment.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings the sling 1 has a seat portion 2 formed from a double layer of textile material. One end edge of the seat portion 2 is attached to an elasticated strap 3 which is connected at either end to a respective side edge of the seat portion 2 such that a fold is formed in the seat portion 2 to provide a support for the baby's bottom.

A waist band 4 is attached to the seat portion 2 in the region of the fold formed in the seat portion 2.

The band 4 is constructed from two layers of textile material with a layer of padding therebetween. The band 4 extends a short distance beyond the seat portion 2 at either side thereof. Loops 5 are provided at either end of the band 4. In this embodiment the loops are formed by folding the material of the band 4 over and securing the free ends by sewing. The loops 5 each accommodate a metal ring member 6.

Two elongate openings 7 are formed in the seat portion 2 adjacent to the elasticated strap 3. The openings 7 are formed between adjacent side edges of the seat portion 2 when it is folded. The back edge 8 of each opening 7 is provided with an elasticated insert so that the seat portion takes a generally concave shape.

A band 9 is attached along the end edge of the seat portion 2 opposite the elasticated strap 3. The band extends either side of the seat portion 2 thus forming two shoulder straps 10. The band 9 and straps 10 are constructed from a double layer of textile material.

Quilted padding is provided in the band 9 and extends along the shoulder straps 10 to just beyond those portions which pass over the shoulders in use.

The straps 10 pass through an adjustable buckle 11 which holds the straps 10 substantially adjacent one another in a region intermediate their respective lengths. The straps 10 are not padded in the region where they pass through the buckle 11. The straps 10 are woven through apertures 16 in respective sides of the buckel 11. When the straps 10 are in tension the buckel 11 holds them firmly by friction in the selected position. Howsever when the tension is relaxed the position of the buckle 11 may be adjusted to a preferred position for the wearer.

Side gussets 12 are provided between the side edges of the seat portion 2 adjacent the band 9 and the shoulder straps 10 where they join the band 9.

A reinforced head support 13 is provided. The support 13 is removably attached to the band 9 by means of two stud fasteners 14, one member of each of which is mounted on the band 9 and the cooperating members therefor are mounted on the support 13. An additional pair of cooperating members 15 are also provided on the support 13 so that the position of the support may be adjusted.

An alternative embodiment of the sling is illustrated in Figure 4 and like reference numerals indicate indicate parts equivalent to those in the abovedescribed embodiment. In this sling the seat portion 2 has elastic inserts positioned along a part 17 of each side edge to form fathers so that the seat portion 2 takes a generally concave shape. The waist band 4 is in this sling attached to one end edge of the seat portion 2. The leg openings 7' are formed in the material of the seat portion 2 and are padded at their edges 18 to prevent chaffing of the baby's legs.

To wear either sling 1 the wearer first adjusts the buckle to a suitable position such that when the sling 1 is worn the buckle is comfortably located at the back of the wearer as shown in Figure 2. The baby may then be placed in the sling 1 with his legs protruding through the openings 7. The shoulder straps 10 with the buckle 11 are then passed over the head of the wearer so that the padded parts of straps 10 rest on the shoulders of the wearer. The free ends of the straps 10 are passed through the rings 6 at either side of the waist band 4, which should be comfortably located in the region of the waist of the wearer. The free ends of straps are finally tied behind the back of the wearer as shown in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that the provision of the buckle 11 allows the straps 10 to be adjusted and tied without danger of the baby slipping.

CLAIMS:

1. A sling for carrying a baby, comprising a seat portion, two carrying shoulder straps each extending from the seat portion, adjustable buckle means for holding said shoulder straps substantially adjacent one another in a region intermediate their respective lengths, and a waist band attached to the seat portion for connection with the shoulder straps.

2. A sling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buckle means comprises a buckle having apertures through which the straps are threaded, the straps being held by friction when said straps are in tension and being freely movable through the apertures when said tension is relaxed.

3. A sling as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to slings for carrying babies The invention relates to slings for carrying babies. The present invention provides a sling for carrying a baby, comprising a seat portion, two carrying shoulder straps each extending from the seat portion, adjustable buckle means for holding said shoulder straps substantially adjacent one another in a region intermediate their respective lengths, and a waist band attached to the seat portion for connection with the shoulder straps. In order that the invention may be well understood two embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sling laid out in an extended condition; Figure 2 is a partial back view of a wearer of the sling of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial side view of a wearer of the sling of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sling laid out in an extended condition; and Figure 5 is a plan view of a buckle suitable for use with either embodiment. With reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings the sling 1 has a seat portion 2 formed from a double layer of textile material. One end edge of the seat portion 2 is attached to an elasticated strap 3 which is connected at either end to a respective side edge of the seat portion 2 such that a fold is formed in the seat portion 2 to provide a support for the baby's bottom. A waist band 4 is attached to the seat portion 2 in the region of the fold formed in the seat portion 2. The band 4 is constructed from two layers of textile material with a layer of padding therebetween. The band 4 extends a short distance beyond the seat portion 2 at either side thereof. Loops 5 are provided at either end of the band 4. In this embodiment the loops are formed by folding the material of the band 4 over and securing the free ends by sewing. The loops 5 each accommodate a metal ring member 6. Two elongate openings 7 are formed in the seat portion 2 adjacent to the elasticated strap 3. The openings 7 are formed between adjacent side edges of the seat portion 2 when it is folded. The back edge 8 of each opening 7 is provided with an elasticated insert so that the seat portion takes a generally concave shape. A band 9 is attached along the end edge of the seat portion 2 opposite the elasticated strap 3. The band extends either side of the seat portion 2 thus forming two shoulder straps 10. The band 9 and straps 10 are constructed from a double layer of textile material. Quilted padding is provided in the band 9 and extends along the shoulder straps 10 to just beyond those portions which pass over the shoulders in use. The straps 10 pass through an adjustable buckle 11 which holds the straps 10 substantially adjacent one another in a region intermediate their respective lengths. The straps 10 are not padded in the region where they pass through the buckle 11. The straps 10 are woven through apertures 16 in respective sides of the buckel 11. When the straps 10 are in tension the buckel 11 holds them firmly by friction in the selected position. Howsever when the tension is relaxed the position of the buckle 11 may be adjusted to a preferred position for the wearer. Side gussets 12 are provided between the side edges of the seat portion 2 adjacent the band 9 and the shoulder straps 10 where they join the band 9. A reinforced head support 13 is provided. The support 13 is removably attached to the band 9 by means of two stud fasteners 14, one member of each of which is mounted on the band 9 and the cooperating members therefor are mounted on the support 13. An additional pair of cooperating members 15 are also provided on the support 13 so that the position of the support may be adjusted. An alternative embodiment of the sling is illustrated in Figure 4 and like reference numerals indicate indicate parts equivalent to those in the abovedescribed embodiment. In this sling the seat portion 2 has elastic inserts positioned along a part 17 of each side edge to form fathers so that the seat portion 2 takes a generally concave shape. The waist band 4 is in this sling attached to one end edge of the seat portion 2. The leg openings 7' are formed in the material of the seat portion 2 and are padded at their edges 18 to prevent chaffing of the baby's legs. To wear either sling 1 the wearer first adjusts the buckle to a suitable position such that when the sling 1 is worn the buckle is comfortably located at the back of the wearer as shown in Figure 2. The baby may then be placed in the sling 1 with his legs protruding through the openings 7. The shoulder straps 10 with the buckle 11 are then passed over the head of the wearer so that the padded parts of straps 10 rest on the shoulders of the wearer. The free ends of the straps 10 are passed through the rings 6 at either side of the waist band 4, which should be comfortably located in the region of the waist of the wearer. The free ends of straps are finally tied behind the back of the wearer as shown in Figure 2. It will be appreciated that the provision of the buckle 11 allows the straps 10 to be adjusted and tied without danger of the baby slipping. CLAIMS:

3. A sling as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a head support removably attached to the seat portion.

4. Asling for carrying a baby substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 together with Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.