US20110011902A1

US20110011902A1 - Baby sling with foot support shoes

Info

Publication number: US20110011902A1
Application number: US12/620,919
Authority: US
Inventors: Dong Kiu EEM
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-14
Filing date: 2009-11-18
Publication date: 2011-01-20
Also published as: WO2011007962A4; WO2011007962A2; JP3160559U; WO2011007962A3

Abstract

A baby sling with foot support shoes is disclosed, which is capable of supporting a baby's feet so that the baby's knees are bent and legs are not dangling when the baby is held on a carer's chest by the baby sling, so as to prevent the baby's thighs from being pressed and chafed between the carer and the baby sling, while improving the baby's health and stability by allowing smooth blood circulation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a baby sling with foot support shoes, and more particularly to a baby sling with foot support shoes, so that a baby held in the baby sling puts his or her feet in the foot support shoes and therefore the baby's legs are supported and not dangling, accordingly preventing pressure from being transmitted to the baby's legs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a baby sling is used to carry a baby on a carer's back or on a carer's chest, by wrapping the baby and enabling the carer to wear the baby sling on his or her shoulders using shoulder straps of the baby sling. The baby sling is designed to not only to keep the baby in a comfortable position but also to allow the carer to conveniently walk.
Referring to FIG. 1, a baby sling 10 according to one conventional art comprises a backrest part 20 that supports a baby's back, a buttocks supporting part 30 extended from a lower part of the backrest part 20 integrally or by sewing and widened to both outer sides to support the baby's buttocks, a headrest part 40 removably connected at an upper part of the backrest part 20 to support the baby's head, and shoulder straps 50 connected to both upper ends of the backrest part 20 and both ends of the buttocks supporting part 30 by each end thereof so that the carer can wear the shoulder straps 50 on his or her shoulders.
The above-structured conventional baby sling 10 is used in a manner that a baby's buttocks are seated on the buttocks supporting part 30 while the baby's back is rested against the backrest part 20, and the baby's legs are drawn out between the buttocks supporting part 30 and each shoulder strap 50 so that the baby placed on the buttocks supporting part 30 does not fall down.
In this state, the baby sling 10 holding the baby is positioned at the carer's back or chest and worn on the carer's shoulders by the shoulder straps 50. Accordingly, the carer is able to carry or hold the baby in a convenient position.
The conventional baby sling has extension wings 31 extended from both sides of the buttocks supporting part 30 where the baby's buttocks are seated. The flanged wings 31 are brought into direct contact with the baby's thighs when the baby is seated on the buttocks supporting part 30 and the baby's legs are drawn out. Although the flanged wings 31 are curved to relieve pressure applied to the baby's thighs, such a simple curve is insufficient to prevent the baby's weight from being transmitted to the thighs. Therefore, the baby, incapable of correctly expressing his or her feelings, suffers from pain in the thighs while being carried in the baby sling. When the carer walks with a baby seated in the baby sling, the baby's thighs may be chafed due to shaking generated by the walking. Also, the pressure applied to the baby's thighs may even hinder blood circulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a baby sling with foot support shoes, capable of supporting a baby's feet so that the baby's knees are bent and legs are not dangling when the baby is held on a carer's chest by the baby sling, so as to prevent the baby's thighs from being pressed and chafed between the carer and the baby sling, while improving the baby's health and stability by allowing smooth blood circulation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby sling with foot support shoes having a supporting band which is removably connected to shoulder straps to enable connection and separation of the foot support shoes, and to function as a cushion relieving a load applied to the shoulder straps and further to a carer's shoulders.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a baby sling with foot support shoes including a backrest part, a buttocks supporting part extended integrally from a lower part of the backrest part and widened to both outer sides into extension wings that support a baby's thighs, a headrest part formed at an upper part of the backrest part to support the baby's head, and shoulder straps connected to both upper ends of the backrest part and both ends of the buttocks supporting part by each end thereof, the baby sling further including a link member formed at each of the shoulder straps, and a foot support shoe connected to the link member, wherein the foot support shoe includes a shoe body in which the baby's each foot is put, a connection string fixed to connection pieces formed at the shoe body, and a connection band connecting the connection string to the link member.
The shoe body may include an opening and closing member formed at a rear or lateral side thereof in a length direction to help the baby's foot to be smoothly put into the shoe body.
The opening and closing part may include any one of a zipper, a Velcro tape, and a button.
The baby sling may further include a cushion pad disposed on an inner bottom surface of the shoe body so as to relieve a shock applied to the baby's sole.
The baby sling may further include a binder formed at one end of the connection string for engagement with each of the connection pieces, a string cover made of a cloth or a cushiony material and applied on an outer surface of the connection string so that the baby's leg is not chafed by contact with the connection string.
The connection band may include a fixing member formed at an end of the connection band so that the connection band is removably connected to the link member, and a length control part formed at an outer surface of the connection band to adjust a length of the connection band and thereby control a mounting height of the shoe body.
The baby sling may further include a supporting band removably connected to each of the shoulder straps, and the supporting band may include an auxiliary band having fasteners at both ends thereof, so as to interconnect the link member and the connection band, and a fastening member formed at one end of the supporting band using any one of a Velcro tape, a zipper and a snap button, so that the supporting band can be connected and separated with respect to the shoulder strap.
One of the fasteners connected to the connection band may have a length control part to adjust a length of the connection band to thereby control a mounting height of the shoe body.
The connection string may be formed of an elastic material so as to relieve shocks applied to the baby's legs during carrying of the baby.
The shoe body may be formed of a mesh to improve ventilation efficiency for use in summer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baby sling according to a conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baby sling provided with foot support shoes, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot support shoe of the baby sling according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the foot support shoe according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example design of the foot support shoe according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the baby sling in use, to which the foot support shoes are mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a baby sling with foot support shoes according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the baby sling with foot support shoes according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the connection structure of the foot support shoes of the baby sling according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing main parts of the connection structure of the foot support shoes;

FIG. 11 is an example view showing another version of the foot support shoes according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example where the baby sling according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 is worn by a carer at the front of the carer's body, with the foot support shoes worn by a baby's feet; and

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example where the baby sling according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 is worn by a carer at the carer's back, with the foot support shoes worn by a baby's feet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baby sling provided with foot support shoes, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot support shoe of the baby sling. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the foot support shoe. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example design of the foot support shoe according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing the baby sling in use, to which the foot support shoes are mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The baby sling 100 includes a backrest part 110 that supports a baby's back, and a buttocks supporting part 120 extended integrally or by sewing from a lower part of the backrest part 110 to seat the baby's buttocks while including extension wings 121 widened outwardly at both sides of the buttocks supporting part 120 to support the baby's thighs. The baby sling 100 further includes a headrest part 130 removably connected to an upper part of the backrest part 110 to support the baby's head, and shoulder straps 140 connected to both upper ends of the backrest part 110 each by one end and to both ends of the buttocks supporting part 120 each by the other end so that a carer can wear the shoulder straps on his or her shoulders.
In addition, link members 150 are formed at the shoulder straps 140 of the baby sling 100. Foot support shoes 200 are removably connected to the link members 150 through fixing members 231, respectively.
Each of the foot support shoes 200 includes a shoe body 210 in which a baby's foot is placed, a connection string 220 fastened to connection pieces 211 formed at both upper parts of the shoe body 210, and a connection band 230 connected to the link member 150 by one end thereof while enclosing the connection string 220 by the other end, thereby connecting the foot support shoe 200 to the shoulder strap 140.
The shoe body 210 includes an opening and closing part 212 formed at a rear or lateral side thereof in a length direction, to help the baby's foot to be smoothly placed into the shoe body 210. The opening and closing part 212 may include any one of a zipper, a Velcro tape, a button and so on.
The shoe body 210 further includes a cushion pad 240 disposed on an inner bottom surface thereof so as to relieve shock applied to the baby's sole and thereby protect the baby's foot. The shoe body 210 may have a height to cover the baby's knee or ankle.
A binder 221 is formed at one end of the connection string 220 for engagement with each of the connection pieces 211. In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, a string cover 250 made of cloth or a cushiony material may be applied on an outer surface of the connection string 220 so that the baby's leg is not chafed by contact with the connection string 220.
Each of the fixing members 231 is provided at an end of the connection band 230 so that the connection band 230 is removably connected with respect to the link member 150. Also, a length control part 232 is provided at an outer surface of the connection band 230 so as to adjust a length of the connection band 230 and thereby control a mounting height of the shoe body 210.
Exemplarily, a cushion pad 240 is formed on a rear surface of the connection band 230 to protect the carer's body.
The operational state of the above-structured baby sling 100 will now be explained with reference to FIG. 6.
First, the baby's buttocks are seated on the buttocks supporting part 120 while the baby's back is supported against the backrest part 110. Here, the baby's legs are drawn out between the buttocks supporting part 120 and the shoulder straps 140, such that the baby resting against the backrest part 110 does not fall down.
In this state, the baby sling 100 holding the baby is positioned at the carer's chest and the shoulder straps 140 are worn on the carer's shoulders. Accordingly, the carer is able to carry the baby.
After the baby is seated in the baby sling 100 as described above, the baby's feet are put in the shoe bodies 210 of the foot supporting shoes 200. Here, since the opening and closing part 212 such as a zipper or a Velcro tape is provided to each of the shoe bodies 210, the carer may be able to more conveniently take the baby's foot into and out of the shoe body 210 by opening the opening and closing part 212 and thereby widening the shoe body 210.
After the baby's leg is put into the shoe body 210, the opening and closing part 212 is closed to prevent the baby's leg from escaping.
Furthermore, after the baby's leg is put into the shoe body 210, the connection pieces 211 formed at the shoe body 210 are engaged with the binders 221, thereby fixing both ends of the connection string 220 to the shoe body 210. The fixing member 231 formed at the connection band 230 connected to the connection band 220 in an enclosing manner is engaged with the link member 150 formed at the shoulder strap 140, thereby fixing the connection band 230 to the shoulder strap 140. Accordingly, the foot supporting shoe 200 is connected to the shoulder strap 140 of the baby sling 100.
Here, the foot supporting shoe 200 is removably connected to the link member 150. Therefore, the foot supporting shoe 200 may be separated from the shoulder strap 140 when not in use. Thus, the user convenience is improved.
Since the cushion pad 240 is provided in the shoe body 210, the baby's foot put in the shoe body 210 can be protected from external shock as much as possible.
Moreover, the string cover 250 formed on the outer surface of the connection string 220 and the cushion pad formed at the connection band 230 are useful in preventing the carer and the baby from being hurt.
Since the length control part 232 is provided at the connection band 230, the length of the connection band 230 can be conveniently adjusted according to the shape of the baby's body such as the length of the baby's legs.
As described above, in a state where the baby is held in the baby sling 100, when the baby's legs are put in the foot supporting shoes 200 and the foot supporting shoes 200 are connected to the shoulder straps 140, the foot supporting shoes 200 support the baby's legs, simultaneously causing the baby to bend his or her knees. As a result, the baby's legs are not pressed between the baby sling 100 and the carer's body.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a baby sling with foot support shoes according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the baby sling according to the embodiment of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the connection structure of the foot support shoes according to the embodiment of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing main parts of the connection structure of the foot support shoes and FIG. 11 is an example view showing another version of the foot support shoes according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.
Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, the baby sling 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a backrest part 110 that supports the baby's back, and a buttocks supporting part 120 extended integrally or by sewing from a lower part of the backrest part 110 to seat the baby's buttocks while including extension wings 121 widened outwardly at both sides of the buttocks supporting part 120 to support the baby's thighs. The baby sling 100 further includes a headrest part 130 removably connected to an upper part of the backrest part 110 to support the baby's head, and shoulder straps 140 connected to both upper ends of the backrest part 110 each by one end thereof and to both ends of the buttocks supporting part 120 each by the other end thereof, so that a carer can wear the shoulder straps on his or her shoulders. The baby sling 100 further includes a supporting band 400 removably connected to the shoulder straps 140 of the baby sling 100. The supporting band 400 is equipped with an auxiliary band (not shown) having fasteners 420 at both ends thereof, so as to interconnect the link member 150 and the connection band 230. One end of the auxiliary band fastener 420 is connected to the link member 150 whereas the other end is connected to one end of the connection band 230. The other end of the connection band 230 is connected to the connection string 220. The connection string 220 is removably connected to the connection pieces 211 of the shoe body 210.
A fastening member 410 is formed at one end of the supporting band 400. The fastening member 410 may include any one of a Velcro tape, a zipper and a snap button so that the supporting band 400 can be connected and separated with respect to the shoulder strap 140.
Exemplarily, the connection string 220 is formed of an elastic material, so as to relieve shock that would normally be applied to the baby's legs during carrying of the baby in the baby sling 100.
A length control part 222 is formed at a counterpart fastener 220 a corresponding to the fastener 420 connected to the connection band 230, in order to adjust the length of the connection band 230 and thereby control a mounting height of the foot support shoe 200.
The foot support shoe 200 includes a shoe body 210 in which the baby's foot is placed, connection pieces 211 formed at both upper parts of the shoe body 210 so that the connection string 220 can be connected thereto through a binder 221, and an opening and closing part 212 formed at one side of the shoe body 210 allowing the baby's foot to be smoothly placed in the shoe body 210.
The opening and closing part 212 may include any one of a zipper, a Velcro tape, a button and so on.
The shoe body 210 of the foot support shoe 200 for winter may be formed of a non-porous solid and warm material such as leather or fur so as to prevent infiltration of wind and cold external air. On the other hand, the shoe body 210 for summer may be formed of a mesh 250 having high ventilation efficiency, as shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 12 is a view showing an example where the baby sling according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 is worn by a carer at the front of the carer's body, with the foot support shoes worn by a baby's feet. FIG. 13 is a view showing an example where the baby sling according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 is worn by a carer at the carer's back, with the foot support shoes worn by a baby's feet.
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 showing the baby sling 100 in use, the baby's buttocks are seated on the buttocks supporting part 120 while the baby's back is rested against the backrest part 110. The baby's legs are drawn out between the buttocks supporting part 120 and each shoulder strap 140 so that the baby placed in the backrest part 110 does not fall down.
In this state, the baby sling 100 is positioned at the carer's chest and the shoulder straps 140 are worn on the carer's shoulders. Accordingly, the carer is able to hold the baby.
When the shoulder straps 140 are worn, the supporting bands 400 are fitted around the shoulder straps 140 and fixed through the fastening member 410.
According to this, the supporting bands 400 are worn on the carer's shoulders in a state of being fixed to outer surfaces of the shoulder straps 140.
Then, the shoulder straps 140 are pressed by the baby's weight seated on the baby sling 100. Therefore, the supporting bands 400 do not slip down from the carer's shoulders.
As described above, after the baby is seated on the baby sling 100, the baby's feet are placed in the shoe bodies 210 of the foot support shoes 200. Here, since the opening and closing part 212 such as a Velcro tape or a zipper is provided to each of the shoe bodies 210, the carer may more conveniently take the baby's foot into and out of the shoe body 210 by opening the opening and closing part 212 and thereby widening the shoe body 210.
After the baby's leg is put into the shoe body 210, the opening and closing part 212 is closed to prevent the baby's leg from escaping.
Furthermore, after the baby's leg is put into the shoe body 210, the connection pieces 211 formed at the shoe body 210 are engaged with the binders 221, thereby fixing one end of the connection string 220 to the shoe body 210. In addition, the counterpart fastener 220 a formed at the connection band 230 connected with the connection string 220 is engaged with the fastener 420 of the supporting band 400 fixed to the shoulder strap 140, accordingly connecting the foot support shoe 200 to the supporting band 400 of the baby sling 100.
Here, the foot supporting shoe 200 is removably connected to the supporting band 400 fixed to the shoulder strap 140. Therefore, the foot supporting shoe 200 may be separated from the shoulder strap 140 when not in use, thus improving the user convenience.
Furthermore, because the fasteners 420 are formed at both sides of the auxiliary band provided in the supporting band 400, the connection band 230 can be mounted selectively from the front or the rear of the supporting band 400 according to whether the carer holds the baby on the chest or the back.
The connection string 220 connecting the foot support shoe 200 may be formed of an elastic material so as to reduce shock applied to the baby's leg by the carer's shaking during carrying of the baby seated in the baby sling 100. Consequently, the baby's body can be prevented from being hurt.
In addition, since the length control part 222 is provided at the fastener 220 a connected to the connection band 230, the length of the connection band 230 can be conveniently adjusted using the length control part 221 according to the shape of the baby's body such as length of the baby's legs.
Therefore, in a state where the baby is held in the baby sling 100, when the baby's legs are placed in the foot supporting shoes 200 and the foot supporting shoes 200 are connected to the supporting bands 400 fixed to the shoulder straps 140, the foot supporting shoes 200 support the baby's legs, simultaneously causing the baby to bend his or her knees. As a result, the baby's legs are not pressed between the baby sling 100 and the carer's body.
When the shoe body 210 of the foot supporting shoe 200 according to the embodiments of the present invention is formed using the mesh 250, external air may be efficiently circulated through the inside and the outside of the shoe body 210, thereby preventing the baby's foot from suffering eczema or other dermal ailments even in summer heat.
As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a baby sling with foot support shoes, wherein the foot support shoes are removably connected to shoulder straps of the baby sling through fixing members. A baby's feet are placed in the foot support shoes so that the baby's legs are bent and not dangling when a carer holds the baby using the baby sling. Accordingly, pressure is not applied to the baby's legs, thereby improving the baby's blood circulation and health. As a consequence, the carer is able to conveniently carry a baby with improved reliability of the baby sling.
The baby sling according to the embodiments of the present invention is wearable both on the front and the rear since fasteners are provided at both sides of each supporting band. Accordingly, convenience of use may be greatly improved. Furthermore, since the foot supporting shoes are replaceable, different materials of the foot supporting shoes may be applied according to the season. For example, foot supporting shoes made of a warm windproof material may be used in winter while foot supporting shoes made of a ventilative material may be used in summer, thereby improving health of the baby.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A baby sling with foot support shoes, comprising a backrest part, a buttocks supporting part extended integrally from a lower part of the backrest part and widened to both outer sides into extension wings that support a baby's thighs, a headrest part formed at an upper part of the backrest part to support the baby's head, and shoulder straps connected to both upper ends of the backrest part and both ends of the buttocks supporting part by each end thereof,

the baby sling further comprising:

a link member formed at each of the shoulder straps; and

a foot support shoe connected to the link member,

wherein the foot support shoe includes a shoe body in which each of the baby's feet is placed, a connection string fixed to connection pieces formed at the shoe body, and a connection band connecting the connection string to the link member.

2. The baby sling according to claim 1, wherein the shoe body comprises an opening and closing member formed at a rear or lateral side thereof in a length direction to help the baby's foot to be smoothly put into the shoe body.

3. The baby sling according to claim 2, wherein the opening and closing part comprises any one of a zipper, a Velcro tape, and a button.

4. The baby sling according to claim 1, further comprising a cushion pad disposed on an inner bottom surface of the shoe body so as to relieve a shock applied to the baby's sole.

5. The baby sling according to claim 1, further comprising:

a binder formed at one end of the connection string for engagement with each of the connection pieces;

a string cover made of a cloth or a cushiony material and applied on an outer surface of the connection string so that the baby's leg is not chafed by contact with the connection string.

6. The baby sling according to claim 1, wherein the connection band comprises:

a fixing member formed at an end of the connection band so that the connection band is removably connected to the link member; and

a length control part formed at an outer surface of the connection band to adjust a length of the connection band and thereby control a mounting height of the shoe body.

7. The baby sling according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting band removably connected to each of the shoulder straps,

wherein the supporting band comprises:

an auxiliary band having fasteners at both ends thereof, so as to interconnect the link member and the connection band; and

a fastening member formed at one end of the supporting band using any one of a Velcro tape, a zipper and a snap button, so that the supporting band can be connected and separated with respect to the shoulder strap.

8. The baby sling according to claim 7, wherein one of the fasteners connected to the connection band has a length control part to adjust a length of the connection band to thereby control a mounting height of the shoe body.

9. The baby sling according to claim 1, wherein the connection string is formed of an elastic material so as to relieve shock applied to the baby's legs during carrying of the baby.

10. The baby sling according to claim 1, wherein the shoe body is formed of a mesh to improve ventilation efficiency for use in summer.