GB2496149A

GB2496149A - Thermally insulated cover for a baby carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2496149A
Application number: GB1118896.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carlo Buckley
Original assignee: ITA INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: ITA INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-01
Filing date: 2011-11-01
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-01
Also published as: GB2496149B; GB201118896D0

Abstract

A removable cover for a papoose-type baby carrier comprises: a base element (c) configured to be located beneath the baby carrier adjacent the adult's body; a pair of attachment elements (ASL, ASR) removably attached to edge regions of the base element (c) and arranged to capture one or more straps of the carrier which attached to the base element, and an outer cover element (g) that is attached at its lower end to the base element and which has edge regions removably attached, e.g. by hook and loop fasteners or slide fasteners, to the attachment elements (ASL, ASR) so as to cover and enclose the baby carrier. The base element and/or the outer cover element may comprise a layered fabric with a thermally insulating layer disposed between inner and outer layers which may be waterproof. The outer cover element may include pockets and a detachable hood may also be provided. The cover may be used with a pram or pushchair. The cover provides an infant carried by the carrier with thermal insulation.

Description

Baby Carrier Cover

1. Introduction

The purpose of this invention is to provide parents with a multifunctional product whose primary aim is to provide effective thermal insulation for children in papoose baby carriers. This means that parents no longer have to wrap their jackets around the carriers or use a rug to cover the child.

These have limited effectiveness from protecting the child from cold, wind and rain. In addition, none of the products on the market today provide effective enough thermal insulation to mean that the child does not have to be dressed in the thick snow suit when in the carrier. This confers a number of advantages which are detailed below. In addition to being used as a cover for a papoose carrier, the product can also be used as a cover/sleeping bag for use in prams and pushchairs. It can also be used as emergency thermal insulation for the child should a parent ever become stuck, for example, if driving through snow. In addition, it can also be used as a changing mat.

This baby carrier cover has a number of features that mean that it is novel and inventive over the prior art and although some features are found in other carrier covers, no product on the market combines all of these elements together into one product.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a baby carrier cover in an open configuration, while partially attached to a baby carrier; Figure 2 is a front view of the baby carrier cover in a partially open configuration) with a forwards-facing baby in the baby carrier; Figure 3 is a front and side view of the baby carrier cover in a closed configuration, with a forwards-facing baby; * * Figure 4 is a front and side view of the baby carrier cover in a closed configuration, with a rearwards-facing ba by; Figure 5 is a front view of the baby carrier cover in a closed configuration, with a rearwards-facing * baby; and ** ** * * Figure 6 shows the baby cover in use as a sleeping bag. * S * S * * S.

1. Figure 1 Figure 1 shows the method of attachment to a papoose baby carrier. The grey strip marked a) is made from Velcro as is the grey strip marked b) with one being the male and one being the female.

Part c) of the invention comprises a flexible base layer that fits under the baby carrier whilst the carrier is in place on the adult. Once part c) is inplace, the two Velcro strips a) and 14 on the attachment strip left "ASL") can be connected to secure the invention into place. MR shows the attachment strip right already securely in place. Once both attachment strips are in place, the invention can be closed by zipping up the front cover g) of the invention using zip d} to ensure the child is snugly cocooned and protected from the elements.

This attachmentmechanism means that the invention-can easily fit onto all papoose baby carriers as the carrier straps can be fixed at any points along Velcro strips a) and b). This allows versatility in terms of which products it can be used for. This also enables the child to be totally encapsulated and protected from the elements which means that the child cannot kick the invention off losing thermal insulation. It also allows the other features to give the maxirhum benefit. Current products on the market must be disconnected and removed before the child can be accessed and removed from the carrier. The attachment mechanism described in figure 1. allows the child to be inserted or removed from the carrier without having to remove the carrier cover. This is a lot more convenient for the adult as it saves time.

Part e) is a removable dribble pad/headrest. When the child is facing outwards it can be a headrest and when the child is facing inwards it can be a dribble pad which can be removed and washed as it is fixed onto the invention with Velcro.

2. Figure 2 Figure 2. shows the invention connected to the carrier with the child in place. The left hand side of the invention is zipped closed whereas the right hand side of the invention is not. Having a mechanism whereby the front of the invention can be zipped up or down confers a number of advantages: a. Temperature control. During the day, mothers and their children will experience a range of temperatures from the cold winter outdoors to the heat of a department store for example. Having zips that zip down the front of the cover allow the parent to regulate the childs temperature.

*. .: b. Ease of access. The zips allow the parent to have complete access to the child * * without having to remove the carrier cover first. The access is also very quick and convenient with just the zip motion as opposed to having to remove the carrier coverentirely before being able to remove or have access to the child. This has the advantage if for example the child needs to be changed -it is easy and convenient.

* Especially because the child does not have to be wearing a winter snow suit which adds another layer of complication.

* * c. Changing mat. The zips turn the carrier cover into a changing mat when they are * fully open and the cover is not attached to the carrier.

Figure 2. also a further feature that is incorporated into the invention: the pockets f). The pockets allow the parent to keep their hands warm during use as the baby carrier. When parents use a papoose baby carrier, the carrier itself generally sits on top of their coat pockets stopping them from being able to use them. These pockets could also be used for storage. The parents' hands do not come into direct contact with the child's feet and therefore the child's feet will not become cold on contact. This access to massaging and playing with the child'sfeet is important as it increases and helps with the bonding process.

3. Baffled construction mechanism The construction mechanism of the invention is like that of a sleeping bag. it will have two thin layers of material the outer being waterproof-These two layers are baffled and separated by an insulting layer of either down or synthetics. This makes the invention extremely thermally insulating so that the child does not have to wear anything more than what they do inside the home. This also means that the invention can have a variety of tog ratings. it also makes the product light weight and extremely compressible which is beneficial for parents in terms of storage.

4. Figure 3 Figure 3 shows the entry to the pocket at point 1). These can be zipped closed if necessary. Point j) shows the invention's tightening cords which are integrated into the invention so that they are invisible from the outside. These can be pulled tight or loosened by the chord at point h). Papoose baby carriers can be used for a range of ages from new born to 15 months. In order to allow for the growth and increased movement of the child these are built in tightening cords allow for the slack to either be collected in or relaxed out giving extra room. This again allows for greater thermal insulation for when the child is small as it makes the air pocket inside the cover smaller. However, when the child grows they can be relaxed to give more space and range of movement. Figure 3 shows the child facing forwards and the tightening chords loose and relaxed to give it maximum space. Figure 3 also shows the hood is which is removable so can be used when the child is facing forwards or backwards. Point i) shows the hood when the child is facing forwards.

5. Figures 4 and 5 In figure 4 the child is smaller and the tightening chords at points j) are pulled in tight. Figure 4 also ". : shows the hood at point i) facing inwards. Children are generally facing inwards when they are * " smaller and more vulnerable. The hood facing inwards gives the child more protection. * .

6. Figure 6 * * **** In figure 6 the cover is shown in use as a sleeping bag, for example while the baby is in a pram or * pushchair. S. ** * * . S * ** * S * *5

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A cover for a papoose-type baby carrier that comprises a sling for receiving a baby and a plurality of straps for securing the sling to the body of an adult, the baby cover comprising: a. a base element configured to be located beneath the sling of the baby carrier, adjacent the adult's body, b. a pair of attachment elements, each being removably attachable to an edge region of the base element so as to capture one or more straps of the baby carrier, and c. an outer cover element that is attached adjacent its lower end to a lower end region of the base element, and is removably attachable at its edge regions to the attachment elements so as to cover and enclose the sling of the baby carrier.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the attachment elements and the edge regions of the base element include complementary hook and loop type fasteners.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the attachment elements and the edge regions of the outer cover element include complementary slide fasteners.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element and/or the outer cover element comprise a layered fabric including inner and outer cover Payers and an internal thermally insulating layer.A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, including pockets in the outer cover element.* 6. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, including drawstrings integrated into the outer cover element. S...* 7. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, including a removably attachable * . hood. a. * * . * * *. * * . * .*</claim-text>