GB2346314A

GB2346314A - Baby carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2346314A
Application number: GB0001956A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Melvin Raffo; Rebecca Louise Falcon
Original assignee: ISOS Ltd
Current assignee: ISOS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-03
Filing date: 2000-01-31
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Also published as: GB0001956D0; GB9902366D0

Abstract

A pouch or sling in which a baby is to be held, and which is connected or connectable to a harness for encircling an adult's body, is provided with a plurality of padded formations, such as granule-filled compartments (23) to protect and support the baby. The pouch or sling may be formed in two parts (21, 24), which are adjustably connected to each other to vary the overall size of the sling, each part being connectable to the harness.

Description

BABY CARRIER This invention concerns sling style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult.

Such apparatus is well known and generally comprises a fabric pouch or sling in which the baby is to be held and a harness which encircles the adult's body and to which the sling or pouch is attached.

In older versions wherein the baby is to be carried on or adjacent the hip of an adult, the harness often comprises only a shoulder strap, and the sling or pouch may be integrally formed therewith. In more modern versions the harness generally comprises a pair of shoulder straps, and a waist band, or an extension of the shoulder straps, for encircling an adult's waist may be provided. Examples of this sort of are disclosed in US 4,469,259, US 4,492,326, US 5,071,047 and EP-A-0752220. With these arrangements, the baby is intended to be carried directly at the front of an adult's body, adjacent the adult's chest, either facing towards or away from the adult. However, adjustment of the carrier, to enable the baby to be carried to one side, i. e. on the hip of the adult, may be possible in some of these, e. g. by lengthening the shpulder strap at one side and shortening it at the other. In US 5,071,047, adjustment to several different carrying positions is disclosed, namely, at the front (over the chest of the adult), at the side (over the hip of the adult), and at the rear (on the back of the adult).

An object of the present invention is to make improvements to the hitherto available arrangements of sling-style baby carriers, so as to improve, in particular, their comfort and versatility.

According to the present invention, sling-style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult comprises a pouch or sling in which the baby is to be held and, connected or connectable thereto, a harness which is to encircle the adult's body, and is characterised in that the pouch or sling is provided with a plurality of padded formations, such as compartments filled with particulate material, or ridges of moulded foam, or conventional stitched in wadding.

These granule-filled compartments or other padding means provide protection for the back (or front) of a baby when seated and carried in the pouch or sling. They also adapt to the shape or posture of the baby and have an important supportive function when the baby is sitting up or lying down while held within the pouch or sling.

In a further development, pockets or tubes for storage (e. g. of bottles), which may also serve a supportive function, may be provided on an outer surface of the pouch or sling.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred practical embodiment thereof and from the claims appended hereto. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing this preferred practical embodiment in use, with a baby suspended in the sling at the front of an adult's body; Figure 2 is a reduced scale sketch of the adult's harness viewed from the front of the adult's body when the apparatus is to be used as in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar sketch of the adult's harness viewed from the rear of the adult's body when the apparatus is to be used as in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a reduced scale perspective view, similar to Figure 1, showing the adult seated and the shoulder straps elongated so that the baby in the sling is lying back on the adult's lap; Figure 5 shows the same embodiment in use, but adjusted so that the baby is suspended in the sling to one side of the front of the adult's body, i. e. over his/her hip; Figure 6 is an external flat plan view of the two parts of the sling of carrying apparatus which i$ slightly different to that shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a reduced scale perspective view showing how the parts in Figure 6 fit together and, with the addition of a head cushion, how they are configured in use; Figure 8 is a reduced scale external flat plan view of the rear part of the sling, shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is an end view showing a baby lying upon the rear part of the sling shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows the same embodiment as in Figures 1,4 and 5 in use, but adjusted so that the baby is suspended in the sling at the rear of the adult's body; Figure 11 is a sketch of the adult's harness viewed from the front of the adult's body when the apparatus is to be used as in Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a similar sketch of the adult's harness viewed from the rear of the adult's body when the apparatus is to be used as in Figure 10.

The baby carrier apparatus of the invention comprises a harness (10) which, in use, encircles the body of an adult, and a sling or pouch (20) in which, in use, the baby is secured. In the preferred practical embodiment which is illustrated the harness (10) and the sling (20) are separate items, which are independently adjustable. They are connectable together in different ways so that, in use, tho sling in which the baby is secured may be suspended from the harness, which is fitted to the adult's body, centrally at the front of the adult's body, or to one side, over the adult's hip, or at the rear of the adult's body, as shown, respectively, in Figures 1,5 and 10.

The harness (10) comprises two shoulder straps (12) and a waist band (14).

The waist band (14) has an adjustable clip fastener (16), whereby it is secured in a loop around the waist of an adult. It also has three clips (18) secured thereto one substantially centrally and one at each side. These are for attachment of the sling (20), only one clip (18) being used at any one time, depending on the position required by the user. The waist band (14) also has respective buckles (19) adjacent each of the side clips (18) for attachment of the shoulder straps (12).

Each shoulder strap (12) comprises a shoulder pad (11) and two sections of webbing (13,15). One section of webbing (13) extends from the pad (11) and is connected to a respective buckle (19) on the waist band (14), as shown in Figures 1,3 and 11.

The other section of webbing (15) loops through a buckle (17) on the shoulder pad (11) and has at one end part of a clip fastener (22) for attachment to a top cornqr of the sling (20). The buckle (19) can be lifted at one end to allow the webbing (15) to slide through and thereby permit an increase in its effective length.

Each webbing section (15) extends through a tunnel of fabric (31) provided on each shoulder pad (11) to serve as a guide.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 5, one of the webbing sections (15) is loosened and the other is tightened, and the sling (20) is attached to the clip (18) at the tightened side so that the baby is suspended over the hip of the adult. In the arrangement of Figure 4, both webbing sections are equally loosened/lengthened so the baby can lie back.

Press fasteners (not shown) or the like are provided near the end of each shoulder pad (11) from which the webbing (15) extends and a bib (30) having corresponding fasteners can be attached therebetween, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. When the baby is facing the front of the adult's body, the bib (30) hangs down over the adult's chest. As well as possible use of the bib (30) for wiping dribbles etc from the baby, it is preferably a specially designed"play"bib. In this respect it may carry brightly coloured shapes or picture, and possibly different textures of fabric, e. g. shiny, furry, ridged, and maybe even a mirror, and/or a squeaker and/or some parts attached by a string, so that the baby has something to look at, touch and play with. This is particularly envisaged as being useful in the situation shown in Figure 4 where the adult is seated and the webbing sections (15) of the shoulder straps (12) are lengthened so that the baby in the sling (20) lies back, facing the adult, on the adult's lap.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the baby is to be carried at the front of the adult's body (as in Figures 1,4 and 5), the waist band (14) should be fastened (clip 16) at the back, and the webbing sections (13), attached to the buckles (19), crossed at the back for best possible support of the sling on the front of the body. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, when the baby is to be carried at the rear of the adult's body (as in Figure 10), the waist band (14) should be fastened (clip 16) at the front, but the webbing sections (13), attached to the buckles (19) on the waistband (14) need not be crossed at the front of the body.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the sling or pouch (20) is formed in two parts, namely a rear part or shell (21) and a front part or crotch support (24), with an optional third part being a head cushion (26).

All three parts (22,24,26) may be formed of flexible foamed plastics sheet, which is cut to shape and inserted in a fabric envelope of corresponding shape. The head cushion may have additional padding overlying one surface of the sheet, within the envelope, at the side intended to fce the baby's head.

The shell (21) is formed with a series of compartments (23) filled with granular material. These may be formed from apertures in the core plastics sheet in which bags filled with suitable particles are located before the sheet is placed in its fabric sheath. Suitable granules are expanded polystyrene beads of small average diameter, or any other beads of inert material. The shell (21) is also provided with complementary parts of clip fasteners (22) for attachment to the fastener parts at the ends of the shoulder straps (15), as previously mentioned, and with additional parts of clip fasteners (25) for connection to complementary fastener parts on the crotch support (24) once the latter has been folded under the baby's bottom. It is also provided with two buckles (27) for adjustable connection of the straps (28) which are secured to the crotch support (24).

Finally, it is provided with fastening means, such as press fasteners, or loop and barb fastening material, or both, for attachment of the head cushion (26).

In addition to the aforementioned pair of straps (28), and the fastener parts (25), both necessary for connection to the shell (21), the crotch support (24) is provided with a series of transverse loops (29). These are for selective connection to the relevant clip (18) on the waist band (14) of the adult's harness (10), only one clip (18) being attached to any one loop (29) at any time. Thus the size, specifically the length, of the sling (20) can be varied by adjustment of the length of the straps (28) extending through the buckles (27) at the connection between the shell (21) and crotch support (24), and the sling size can be further influenced by the choice of the loop (29) used for its connection to the harness. However, the latter also influences the disposition and height of the sling relative to the harness (10).

Figure 8 shows a further refinement wherein a pair of cylindrical pockets (32) are provided at opposing edges of the external surface of the shell (21). These may also be formed of fabric covered foamed plastics. They serve a dual function of storage of bottles or other infant accessories and of support for the baby when laid backwards in the sling (20), or on the shell (21) only, as indicated in Figure 9.

One particularly useful feature of the illustrated apparatus is that the sling (20) and the harness (10) are separate assemblies which can be connected together at three points by the clip fasteners (22) and one of the clips (18) engaging one of the loops (29). Thus, the baby can be secured into the sling (20) and, quite separately the harness can be positioned on the adult's body, and the sling can thep simply be lifted into the desired position and clipped on. This contrasts with known sling style carriers where the harness and sling are inseparable such that either the baby is firstly secured in the sling and the fitting of the harness is rather difficult for the adult to accomplish unaided or without practice, or the harness is secured onto the adult along with the sling, and the subsequent lifting of the baby into the sling can prove. difficult.

The foregoing is only intended to be illustrative, not limitative, of the scope of the invention. Many variations in design detail are possible. In particular, instead of having granule filled compartments, as mentioned above, the shell portion of the sling or pouch may include a section of moulded foam, which is configured as a series of adjacent ridges or pads to support and protect any baby located in the sling or pouch.

Alternatively, a comparable series of pads may be formed by conventional wadding material held in place by stitching within an envelope of outer layers of plastics or other sheet material.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Sling style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult comprising a pouch or sling in which the baby is to be held and, connected or connectable thereto, a harness which is to encircle the adult's body, characterised in that the pouch or sling is provided with a plurality of padded formations.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the padded formations comprise compartmqnts filled with particulate material.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the pouch or sling on the one hand, and the harness on the other hand, are separate assemblies which are connectable together in use.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the pouch or sling is formed as two parts, each part having means connectable to the harness, and the two parts being adjustably connectable to each other so as to permit the overall size of the sling or pouch to be varied.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pouch or sling is provided with a removable support for the head of a baby.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pouch or sling is provided with pockets or tubes for storage.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps which are adjustable in length so that when, in use, the baby in the pouch or sling is positioned on the front of the adult's body and the adult is sitting, the pouch or sling can be lowered to a position where the baby is lying upon the lap of the adult.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further including a bib connectable between the shoulder straps so as to hang adjacent the adult's body.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adult's harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps and a waist band, each adjustable in length and each connectable to the pouch or sling so that the latter, in use, is connected to the harness at three places.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the waist band has respective means for connection to the pouch or sling located substantially centrally and at each side so that the pouch or sling may be selectively connected to any one e of these, whereby, in use, the baby in the pouch or sling r. ay be positioned, selectively, centrally on the front or back of the adult's body, or obliquely over either of the adult's hindis.
li. Sling style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the waist band has respective means for connection to the pouch or sling located substantially centrally and at each side so that the pouch or sling may be selectively connected to any one of these, whereby, in use, the baby in the pouch or sling may be positioned, selectively, centrally on the front or back of the adult's body, or obliquely over either of the adult's hips.

11. Sling style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult substantially as hqreinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

12. Sling style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult wherein the pouch or sling on the one hand, and the harness on the other hand, are separate assemblies which are connectable together in use.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS l. Sling style apparatus for carrying a baby on the body of an adult comprising a pouch or sling in which the baby is to be held and, connected or connectable thereto, a harness which is to encircle the adult's body, characterised in that a rear part of the pouch or sling which in use lies adjacent the back of the baby is provided with a plurality of padded, ridged formations.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the padded formations comprise compartments filled with particulate material.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the pouch or sling on the one hand, and the harness on the other hand, are separate assemblies which are connectable together in use.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the pouch or sling is formed as two parts, each part having means connectable to the harness, and the two parts being adjustably connectable to each other so as to permit the overall size of the sling or pouch to be varied.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pouch or sling is provided with a removable support for the head of a baby.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pouch or sling is provided with pockets or tubes for storage.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps which are adjustable in length so that when, in use, the baby in the pouch or sling is positioned on the front of the adult's body and the adult is sitting, the pouch or sling can be lowered to a position where the baby is lying upon the lap of-the adult.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further including a bib connectable between the shoulder straps so as to hang adjacent the adult's body.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adult's harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps and a waist band, each adjustable in length and each connectable to the pouch or sling so that the latter, in use, is connected to the harness at three places.