GB2215184A

GB2215184A - Baby carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2215184A
Application number: GB8804857A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joanne Shaw
Original assignee: Eaton Hall Design Workshops Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Hall Design Workshops Ltd
Priority date: 1988-03-01
Filing date: 1988-03-01
Publication date: 1989-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-01
Also published as: GB8804857D0; GB2215184B

Abstract

A baby carrier adapted for strapping to the back of an adult, preferably with the facility for conversion into a child's seat (Figs 4 to 7), comprises a frame with generally parallel legs (72, 74, Fig 9) and a U-shaped bridging section 10 inclined to the plane containing the legs, and an apertured fabric 12 folded around the frame to define a pouch for supporting the child with the child's legs extending through the apertures 14 in the fabric, together with shoulder straps 22, 24 and waist straps 26, 28 by which the carrier can be fitted to the back of an adult. When the carrier is converted into a child's seat it may be attached to a handle and trolly assembly to define a pushchair. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Seat/Carrier Unit Field of the invention This invention concerns apparatus for carrying infants which in conjunction with a chair or car seat can also serve as an infants seat.

Backgrounds to the invention Child carriers for strapping to the back of an adult are in themselves known. Additionally so also are so called baby seats or infant chairs adapted for fastening into motor car seats or securing on ordinairy upright chairs or the like.

Whilst a lot of attention has been paid to the design of infant seats, the same cannot be said about carriers adapted for strapping to an adult and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved carrier by which infants can be carried on the back of an adult.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved baby carrier which can with minimal modification be converted into a self supporting seat which can be strapped onto an upright chair or the like or possibly even to a vehicle seat.

Summary of the invention According to one aspect of the present invention a baby carrier adapted for strapping to the back of an adult comprises:1. A rigid frame having two generally parallel legs and a U-shaped section joining the two legs at one end, with the plane of the U-shape inclined to the legs; 2. A fabric part folded approximately in half and secured edgewise to the two legs of the frame and to the web of the U-shaped section to thereby define a pouch within which a child can be supported; 3. Apertures in the section of the fabric part which is edgewise attached to the legs of the frame through which a childs legs can protrude, and; 4.A harness comprising at least shoulder straps and a waistband attached to upper and lower regions of the carrier to thereby enable the frame to be carried by an adult with the shoulder straps passing over the shoulders of the adult and the waistband secured tightly around the persons waist.

A child carrier so formed thus provides a rigid support to the rear of the childs head which thereby introduces an element of protection not normally found in such carriers.

Preferably the harness is attached to the section of the fabric part which is itself edgewise attached to the legs of the frame.

Typically the frame is formed from lightweight tubular metal or rigid plastics material and in order to provide cushioning between such material and the rear of the childs head, the fabric part is conveniently wrapped around the bridging section of the U-shape to the rear of the childs head. Conveniently the fabric part to be so is, wrapped at least in that region, formed with increased thickness or formed from or includes cushioning material, to further assist in cushioning the childs head against the rigid bridging member.

The fabric may be attached to the legs by sewing but where the fabric part extends around the bridge of the U-shape, the joint is preferably formed by means of a quick release device as by a zip fastener, studs or more preferably the use of press fit tape attached to the opposed regions of the fabric which are to be brought into contact such as is sold under the trade name of Velcro (Registered Trade Mark).

Preferably side flaps are provided which are integral with the apertured section which is secured to the frame legs, and conveniently the side flaps are provided with edge regions adapted to wrap over and be secured to the two parallel limbs of the U-section and by quick release coupling means to the longer edge regions of the panel of the fabric which itself is wrapped around the bridge of the U-section.

As before Velcro (RTM) strip is the preferred joining medium by which the side flaps are secured around the parallel limbs of the U-section and to the elongate edge regions of the rear fabric panel which itself is attached to the bridge.

Since the side panels will not normally be moved, the latter may be stitched to the parallel limbs of the Ushaped part of the frame if desired, but a releasable coupling is needed between the side panels and the rear fabric panel.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the panel which is normally secured to the bridge of the Ushaped frame section is removable from the latter and from the edge regions of the side panels to enable it to be folded back on itself to stretch completely around the apertured panel and to be secured again, but now back to front around the bridge.

Convenienly, a secured quick release coupling is provided enabling the material to be wrapped the reverse way around the bridge and secured in place, as by a second strip of Velcro back to back with the first strip of Velcro (RTM) at the end of the panel to be secured to the bridge.

With the panel so secured, the assembly can be up ended so that the U-shape is now at the bottom and the assembly will be seen to resemble a childs seat with the reversed panel now forming inter alia the base of the seat.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, a child supporting flap may be incorporated within the carrier so as to stretch from front to back internally.

The flap is typically removably attached at one end to a central, upper region of the apertured panel and is securable as by straps to buckles provided on the internal surface of the fabric panel which extends up and over the U-shaped frame to form the back of the carrier. The supporting flap is of necessity narrow in the region to be straddled by the childs legs but widens towards the end thereof to which the straps are attached.

According to a preferred feature of this aspect of the invention, the function of the supporting flap can be altered when the carrier has been converted into a seat, by separating the flap from the buckles or other securing means on the interior of the fabric panel to which the flap is normally attached and reattaching the panel (as by the straps) to other buckles or securing means lower down the apertured panel so that the wide portion of the supporting flap is now in the form of a front bib to support a small child within the seat.

Conveniently the apertured panel includes an extension piece which normally folds inwardly and is secured in position as by snap fasteners or Velcro (RTM). By forming the inside surface (normally hidden from view) of the extension piece from a wipe-clean material, the latter can be folded outwardly to provide a bib when the carrier is to be used as a temporary seat whilst still in its carrier configuration ie. with the shoulder straps and waist straps secured around for example the back and underside of an upright chair.

In a similar way the child supporting flap within the carrier may also be formed on one side from fabric and on the other side from a wipe-clean material such as plastics sheet material, typically PVC and preferably the flap is fully detachable from the carrier by providing snap action fasteners or Velcro (RTM) fixings at the end of the flap which is normally attached to the central upper end of the apertured panel. In this way, if the supporting flap becomes soiled or needs cleaning, the flap can be removed entirely from the carrier for washing or the like.

Preferably the elongated legs of the frame are bent to define a shallow angle approximately half way along their length between the junction with the U-shaped frame and their lower ends, so that in the carrier configuration, if the lower ends of the legs are pulled tight against the back of an adult who is to wear the carrier, the bends in the legs tend to hold the apertured panel away from the adults back concerned to facilitate insertion of the childs legs and feet through the apertures in the apertured panel at the front of the carrier.

Preferably the internal support flap is not only removable but also adjustable to accommodate different sizes and heights of child. Thus for example two or more sets of securing means may be provided at the narrower end of the flap where it adjoins the upper central region of the apertured panel to enable the flap to be secured at different positions to the apertured panel to thereby raise or lower the position at which a child is carried within the carrier, depending on the size of the child.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, a large pocket may conveniently be provided on the rear panel (ie. the non-apertured panel) which when the carrier is mounted on the back of an adult, is thereby remote from the adults back. The pocket conveniently includes a closure flap which may for example be closed by means of a Velcro (RTM) fixing or a zip fastener or other quick release means. The pocket or pouch conveniently houses a changing mat, hood and other items which may from time to time be required.

According to another aspect of the invention, a changing mat (which is particularly suitable for use in combination with a carrier as aforesaid) is formed on one face from a soft fabric and on the other face from a wipe-clean sheet material such as PVC or the like.

The mat is preferably padded internally in the normal way and can double up to provide a cushion within a carrier as aforesaid, particularly when the latter is in its seat configuration. At the same time it can be removed from the carrier and placed with its wipe-clean surface uppermost to facilitate the changing of a baby.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, the carrier may form part of a kit of parts which includes a handle assembly and trolley assembly attachable to the top and bottom of the frame, to convert the carrier into a pushchair.

Where the carrier, in its inverted seat configuration is to form a childs car seat, preferably an additional subframe is provided, itself rigidly attached to the vehicle, to more securely fasten the seat assembly within the vehicle.

Where a hood is provided, this may be in the form a Kagool adapted to be fitted over the entire upper end of the carrier frame, with a central hood having an aperture through which the child can look. To this end the lower opening of the Kagool is elasticated to facilitate its fitting over the top of the carrier.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a child carrier constructed in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the carrier shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the carrier as shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a another side view similar to that of Figure 3 but in which the rear panel is shown detatched from the bridge of the U-shaped frame ready to be peeled away from the carrier, Figure 5 shows the carrier in which the rear panel has been completely folded down and the internal child support flap detached from the buckles which normally hold it in position, Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 5 but with the internal child support flap fully removed and, Figure 7 shows how the carrier can be inverted after the back panel has been fully folded around and secured once again to the bridge member but this time from the opposite hand, so as to form a childs seat, Figure 8 is a side view and, Figure 9 a rear view of the metal frame on which the carrier is fastened and, Figure 10 is a plan view of the fabric blank from which the backs ides and the front of the carrier are constructed.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a child carrier adapted to be carried on the shoulders of an adult comprises a frame (to be described in more detail with reference to Figure 8) a bridging part of which can be seen at 10, on which is secured part of a fabric blank so as to define a front panel 12 having two generally rectanguiar apertures 14 and 16 through which a childs feet can extend, a back panel 8 which is attached to the bridging section of a U-shaped part of the frame 10 at 20 and shoulder straps 22 and 24 and a pair of waist straps 26 and 28.

As best seen in Figure 2, the shoulder straps and waist straps cooperate by means of interlocking buckles as at 30 and 32 and typically the shoulder straps are permanently attached to the waist bands but both are adjustable in length to allow for the carrier to be fitted to adults of different height and girth.

Within the carrier is located a support flap which is best seen in Figure 2 at 34. The flap is secured by means of straps and buckles at 36 and 38 to t'ne upper region of the back flap 18 and as will be seen in Figure 2, the flap tapers towards its opposite end where it is secured by means of stud fasteners around an internal flap (not shown in figures 1 to 3) at the top of the front apertured panel 12. The particular method of securing can be seen in more detail in to Figure 5.

The strap and buckle assemblies 36 and 38 are adjustable so that the flap can be fitted to a convenient level within the carrier so that a child sitting on the support flap with its legs protruding through the apertures 14 and 16 can be carried within the carrier at any desired height. This is particularly important where it is desired that the region 20 of the carrier (see Figures 1 and 2) shall form a head rest or head restraint for a child particularly a small -baby and where it is important therefore that the head is aligned with the region 20 of the carrier.

Integral with the fabric forming the front and back panels of the carrier, are side panels which extend from the front panel and are detachably securable by means of Velcro strip or the like to the side edges of the rear panel 80. This is perhaps best seen in Figure 3 where one of the side flaps 40 is shown overlayed by an edge region 42 of the rear panel 18. A Velcro strip is located on the abutting surfaces of the flap 40 and flap 42 so that when pressed together the side panel becomes joined to the edge region 42 of the rear panel.

A similar arrangement is provided on the opposite side, not visible in Figure 3.

Also shown in Figure 3 is a pouch 44 on the rear of the rear panel 18 having a flap 46 which can be secured in a closed position over the upper end of the pouch 44 as by a further Velcro strip joint (not shown).

The pouch conveniently holds a changing mat, spare clothes, a rain proof hood, and other items normally required for use with a small child or baby.

Figure 4 illustrates how the back panel can be removed from the bridging section 10 of the frame by undoing a number of press studs which are provided in pairs as at 48 and 50, thereby enabling the back panel to be peeled away from the remainder of the carrier in the manner shown in Figure 4. The action of doing this will cause the Velcro joints between the back panel 18 and the side panels 40 and 52, to be broken open and this leaves the rear panel free when it has been finally pulled away from both side panels as is now is shown in Figure 5. In this position the internal support flap can also be undone by removing the straps 36 and 38 from their associated buckle which cannot be seen in Figure 5 since they are on the underside of the flap 54 which normally extends around the bridge section 10.

Also shown is a flap 56 normally folded and doubled over on itself and secured as by a Velcro strip or the like to the inside of the front apertured panel. To this end Velcro strip joints may be provided and to advantage the face 58 of the panel 56 may be formed of PVC or a similar wipe-clean material whereas the other surface may be formed form a soft fabric. If the panel is folded outwardly as shown in Figure 5 and then downwardly, to expose the PVC or other wipe-clean surface, the panel will assist in serving as a bib if the unit is used as a chair (albeit in its carrier configuration as shown in Figures 1 to 3), with the lower ends of the frame (denoted by reference numerals 60 and 62) standing on the seat of an upright chair, and the straps (shoulder straps and waistbands) used to secure the assembly to the rear of the chair and to the seat of the chair.

A more important modification of the carrier however can be obtained by continuing to fold the flap 18 around the assembly until the flap 54 can once again be wrapped around the bridge 10 albeit this time the inside out. By providing back to back Velcro strips, the flap 54 can be secured either way after being wrapped around the bridge 10, and after the flap 18 has been wrapped completely around the frame in the reverse manner from that shown in Figures 1 to 3, the assembly can be upended so as to appear as shown in Figure 7. The carrier has now been converted into a childs seat and the support flap 34 now serves as a front bib and the straps 36 and 38 and cooperating straps 64 and 66 can be used to secure the bib -like member to buckles such as 68, at the upper end of the seat, so as to provide a complete front support for a child inserted into the seat.

The seat may be rendered more comfortable by inserting a thin cushion 70 below the straps 36 and 38 and to advantage a modified changing mat may be used as the cushion, as will be described.

As previously mentioned, one of the aspects of the invention lies in the provision of a changing mat having a soft fabric surface on one side and a wipe-clean PVC (or the like) surface on the other and a changing mat constructed in such a manner with the fabric side uppermost, provides a convenient cushion if dimensioned accordingly, so as to fit as the cushion 70 in the seat shown in Figure 7.

The shoulder and waistband straps shown in Figures 1 to 3 are still available for securing the seat to a chair or car seat or the like.

Although not shown, a trolley containing wheels and a handle extension kit may be provided to convert the seat assebly of Figure 7 into a simple pushchair.

Figures 8 and 9 show the metal frame which is constructed from tubular aluminium. The section 10 is denoted in Figure 9 and the two elongate side legs are denoted by reference numerals 72 and 74, and as shown in the side view in Figure 8, both side legs are bent or kinked to define a shallow angle at 76 so as to assist in causing the frbnt panel to be stood off, away from the back of the adult to which the carrier is attached.

In its alternative seat configuration, the two beds in the longer legs 72 and 74 provide supports or side cheeks for the side panels and maintain the seat configuration.

Figure 10 illustrates a fabric blank from which the various panels of the carrier and seat assembly can be constructed. As will be seen the blank is in one piece with the back panel shown at 18, the front panel at 12 the apertures at 14 and 16, the side panels at 40 and 52 a flap 54 at the one end and a flap 56 at the other.

Velcro strips are denoted for example at 80 ad 82.

In addition to the panels 44 on the rear of the rear panel 18, the unit also includes two side pouches, one at the upper end of each side panels 40. Each such panel is formed by sewing a small panel 84 to each side panel 40, the line of stitching being visible at 86 in Figure 3.

Access to the side pouches is through the opening between the upper edge 88 of each small panel ad the side panel 40 to which it is attached and to prevent the contents of any pouch from emptying when the carrier is up ended (to serve as a seat), a velcro or zip fastener may be employed as a closure along the line 88.

Claims

1. A baby carrier adapted for strapping to the back of an adult comprises:a) A rigid frame having two generally parallel legs and a U-shaped section joining the two legs at one end, with the plane of the U-shaped inclined to the legs; b) A fabric part folded approximately in half and secured edgewise to the two legs of the frame and to the web of the U-shaped section to thereby define a pouch within which a child can be supported.

c) Apertures in the section of the fabric part which is edgewise attached to the legs of the frame through which a childs legs can protrude, and; d) A harness comprising at least shoulder straps and a waistband attached to upper and lower regions of the carrier to thereby enable the frame to be carried by an adult with the shoulder straps passing over the shoulders of the adult and the waistband secured tightly around the persons waist.

2. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the harness is attached to the section of the fabric part which is itself edgewise attached to the legs of the frame, which is formed from tubular metal or rigid plastics material and, in order to provide cushioning between such material and the rear of the childs head, the fabric part is conveniently wrapped around the bridging section of the U-shape to the rear of the child's head.

3. A baby carrier according to claim 2, wherein the fabric part to be so wrapped is, at least in that region, formed with increased thickness or formed from or includes cushioning material, to further assist in cushioning the childs head against the rigid bridging member, and wherein the fabric is attached to the legs by sewing but, where the fabric part extends around the bridge of the U-shape, the joint is formed by means of a quick release device as by a zip fastener, studs or the use of press fit hooked pile tape attached to the opoosed regions of the fabric which are to be brought into contact.

4. A baby carrier according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein side flaps are provided which are integral with the apertured section which is secured to the frame legs, and the side flaps are provided with edge regions adapted to wrap over and be secured to the two parallel limbs of the U-section and by quick release coupling means to the longer edge regions of the panel of the fabric which itself is wrapped around the bridge of the U-section.

5. A baby carrier according to claim 4, wherein the panel which is normally secured to the bridge of the U-shaped frame section is removable from the latter and from the edge regions of the side flaps to enable it to be folded back on itself to stretch completely around the apertured panel and to be secured again, but now back to front around the bridge.

6. A baby carrier according to claim 5, wherein a quick release coupling is provided enabling the material to be wrapped the reverse way around the bridge and secured in place, as by a second strip of hooked pile fabric back to back with the first strip of hooked pile fabric at the end of the panel to be secured to the bridge, whereby with the panel so secured, the assembly can be up ended so that the U-shape is now at the bottom and the assembly resembles a child's seat, with the reversed panel now forming, inter alia, the base of the seat.

7. A baby carrier according to any on claims 1 to 6, wherein a child supporting flap is incorporated within the carrier so as to stretch from front to back internally, and wherein the flap is removably attached at one end to a central, upper region of the apertured panel and is securable as by straps to buckles provided on the internal surface of the fabric panel which extends up and over the U-shaped frame to form the back of the carrier, the supporting flap being narrow in the region to be straddled by the child's legs but widening towards the end thereof to which the straps are attached.

8. A baby carrier according to claim 7, wherein the function of the supporting flap can be altered, when the carrier has been converted into a seat, by separating the flap from the buckles or other securing means on the interior of the fabric panel to which the flap is normally attached and reattaching the panel (as by the straps) to other buckles or securing means lower down the apertured panel, so that the wide portion of the supporting flap is now in the form of a front bib to support a small child within the seat.

9. A baby carrier according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the apertured panel includes an extension piece which normally folds inwardly and is secured in position as by snap fasteners or hooked pile fabric, and the inside surface (normally hidden from view) of the extension piece is formed from a wipe-clean material, and the child supporting flap within the carrier is also formed on one side from fabric and on the other side from a wipe-clean material such as plastics sheet material, typically PVC, and the flap is fully detachable from the carrier by providing snap action fasteners or hooked pile fabric fixings at the end of the flap which is normally attached to the central upper end of the apertured panel.

10. A baby carrier according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the elongated legs of the frame are bent to define a shallow angle aproximately half way along their length between the junction with the U-shaped frame and their lower ends, so that, in the carrier configuration, if the lower ends of the legs are pulled tight against the back of an adult who is to wear the carrier, the bends in the legs tend to hold the apertured panel away from the adults back concerned to facilitate insertion of the childs legs and feet through the apertures in the apertured panel at the front of the carrier.

11. A baby carrier according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a pocket is provided on the rear panel (ie the non-apert-ured panel) which, when the carrier is mounted on the back on an adult, is thereby remote from the adults back, the pocket includingd a closure flap which may be closed by means of a hooked pile fabric fixing or a zip fastener or other quick release means, and in combination with a changing mat storable in the pocket and which is formed on one face from a soft fabric and on the other face from a wipe-clean sheet material such as PVC.

12. A baby carrier according to any of claims 1 to 11, forming part of a kit of parts which includes a handle assembly and trolley assembly attachable to the top and bottom of the frame, to convert the carrier into a pushchair.

13. A baby carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.