US20160157632A1 - Carrier support system - Google Patents
Carrier support system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160157632A1 US20160157632A1 US14/561,334 US201414561334A US2016157632A1 US 20160157632 A1 US20160157632 A1 US 20160157632A1 US 201414561334 A US201414561334 A US 201414561334A US 2016157632 A1 US2016157632 A1 US 2016157632A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- user
- carrier
- engagement member
- arm
- user engagement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D13/00—Other nursery furniture
- A47D13/02—Baby-carriers; Carry-cots
- A47D13/025—Baby-carriers; Carry-cots for carrying children in seated position
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D1/00—Children's chairs
- A47D1/10—Children's chairs capable of being suspended from, or attached to, tables or other articles
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D13/00—Other nursery furniture
- A47D13/02—Baby-carriers; Carry-cots
- A47D13/027—Baby-carriers with rigid frames
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to carrier systems, and more particularly to a support system for a carrier system.
- Carrier systems are typically utilized to assist a user in lifting, supporting, and carrying a wide variety of things, and include child carrier systems such as child car seats for carrying children, grocery carrier systems such as grocery baskets for carrying groceries, luggage carrying systems such as suitcases and bags for carrying clothing, and/or other carrier systems known in the art.
- Conventional carrier systems include a carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container that include a handle system that may extend from opposite sides of the carrier seat or carrier basket or from a surface of the carrier container, and that handle system provides a handle that is located within a footprint of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container (i.e., within a perimeter of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container when the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container is viewed from a top view in its normal use orientation).
- the use of such handle systems to support the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container typically involves the user using the handle to lift and support the carrier system, and typically results in the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container engaging the leg and/or hip of the user when the user is standing or walking.
- Such engagement of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container with the leg and/or hip of the user can be annoying, painful, and in some cases damaging.
- Some solutions to this issue involve the user holding the carrier system out and away from their body to prevent the engagement of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container with their leg and/or hip, or engaging the handle system with the “crook” of their arm (e.g. between the forearm and the bicep on the user's arm).
- such solutions cause the user to engage several muscles in their arm and shoulder in a manner that result in accelerated fatigue and sometimes muscle damage.
- a child support system includes a seat chassis that defines a seat channel; a child seat located in the seat channel; a first user engagement member that is coupled to a first side of the seat chassis, wherein the first user engagement member is located outside of a footprint of the seat chassis and is configured to engage a first hand of a user; and a second user engagement member that is coupled to a second side of the seat chassis and that is configured to engage a portion of a first arm of the user when the first hand of the user is engaging the first user engagement member.
- FIG. 1 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a carrier system.
- FIG. 1 b is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system of FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 1 c is a front view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system of FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 1 d is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system of FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 1 e is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system of FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 1 f is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system of FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 1 g is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a carrier base footprint of the carrier system of FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system of FIGS. 1 a -1 f including some optional functionality associated with carrier support members and user engagement members.
- FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for supporting a carrier system.
- FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a user lifting and supporting the carrier system of FIGS. 1 a - 1 f.
- FIG. 5 a is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a user lifting and supporting a modified version of the carrier system of FIGS. 1 a - 1 f.
- FIG. 5 b is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a user lifting and supporting the modified carrier system of FIG. 4 a that includes some optional functionality associated with carrier support members and user engagement members.
- the engagement of the supraspinatus muscle to support the carrier system in this manner is necessary because the supraspinatus muscle is responsible for the first 15-30 degrees of movement of the arm away from the body, and it is notable because the supraspinatus muscle is one of the most frequently torn muscles in the body, as well as one of the smaller muscles in the body and thus more prone to fatigue than the other muscles engaged when supporting the carrier system in this manner.
- Carrying the carrier system using the “crook” of a users' arm can reduce the engagement of the supraspinatus muscle to remedy some of the issues discussed above, but introduces a flexed elbow and engaged bicep to provide support the carrier system, which puts added stresses on the labrum in the shoulder (another frequently torn muscle) and provides for an awkward carrying orientation for the user.
- the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a carrier system that includes a carrier base with a handle that is located outside of the footprint of the carrier base, along with an arm support that extends from a location on the carrier base that is opposite at least some of the carrier base from the handle.
- a user may engage the handle with their hand to lift and support the carrier system while engaging the arm support with their arm (the arm that includes the hand engaging the handle) to also support the carrier system, which allows the user to lift and support the carrier system while standing and walking while reducing the occurrence of the carrier base engaging the leg and/or hip of the user.
- the arm orientation that is enabled by the systems and methods of the present disclosure when lifting and supporting a carrier system produces less stress on the muscles in the arm and shoulder of the user relative to conventional systems and methods, particularly with regard the supraspinatus muscle.
- the carrier system is illustrated and described as a child carrier system, the teachings of the present disclosure will be beneficial for any of a variety of carrier systems including the grocery carrier systems and the luggage carrier systems discussed above, and/or any other carrier systems known in the art.
- the carrier system 100 includes a carrier base 102 .
- the carrier base 102 is a seat chassis that defines a seat channel 102 a
- a child seat 104 is located in the seat channel 102 a that may include any of a wide variety of child seat features including cushion features, child securing features such as seat belts and straps, and/or any other child seat features known in art.
- the carrier base 102 includes a plurality of outer surfaces including a front surface 106 a , a rear surface 106 b that is located substantially opposite the carrier base 102 from the front surface 106 a , a side surface 106 c that extends between the front surface 106 a and the rear surface 106 b , a side surface 106 d that extends between the front surface 106 a and the rear surface 106 b and that is located substantially opposite the carrier base 102 from the side surface 106 c , and a bottom surface 106 e that extends between the front surface 106 a , the rear surface 106 b , the side surface 106 c , and the side surface 106 d.
- the outer surfaces of the carrier base/seat chassis may include intermediate surfaces between the front surface 106 a , the rear surface 106 b , the side surface 106 c , the side surface 106 d , and the bottom surface 106 e that may provide curved or transitional outer surfaces between substantially parallel portions of the front surface and rear surface, and substantially parallel portions of the side surfaces 106 c and 106 d .
- the outer surfaces of the seat chassis may include any number of surfaces that may be provided at different orientations relative to each other, and the front surface and rear surface, as well as the side surfaces 106 c and 106 d , need not include parallel portions.
- any of the outer surfaces on the seat chassis may include child carrier system features known in the art that may be used to secure the seat chassis directly to a vehicle seat or to a mounting base (e.g., when the child carrier system includes a complementary mounting base used in securing the child seat chassis to a seat in a car or other vehicle), as well as any other outer surface features that are known in the art and provided on conventional child carrier systems.
- the carrier base 102 may include a variety of different configurations.
- the carrier base 102 may be a grocery basket chassis that defines a grocery channel and that utilizing a variety of grocery basket materials known in the art (e.g., plastic walls, metal mesh walls, etc.) that may be used to provide the front surface, rear surface, side surfaces, and bottom surface discussed above, as well as including any grocery carrier system features known in the art.
- the carrier base 102 may be a luggage chassis that defines a luggage channel and that utilizes a variety of luggage materials known in the art that may be used to provide the front surface, rear surface, side surfaces, and bottom surface discussed above, as well as including any luggage carrier system features known in the art.
- the Applicants submit that one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize how the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to any of a wide variety of carrier systems known in the art while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
- a first carrier support member 108 extends from the side surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 and includes a first user engagement member 108 a that, as discussed in the embodiments illustrated below, provides a handle for lifting and supporting the chassis base 102 .
- the first carrier support member 108 is integral to the carrier base 102 as a molded portion of the carrier base 102 that extends from the side surface 106 c .
- the first carrier support member 108 is attached to the carrier base 102 via an attachment coupling on the carrier base 102 that may accept a variety of coupling members such as screws, clips, and/or other coupling members known in the art.
- the first carrier support member 108 may be attachable to and detachable from the carrier base 102 by the user via a variety of quick-attach and quick-release couplings known in the art.
- a user may be enabled to attach the first carrier support member 108 to the side surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 when the user wishes to perform the method 300 discussed below, and may detach the first carrier support member 108 from the side surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 when the user is no longer performing the method 300 discussed below.
- the first user engagement member 108 a is illustrated having a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the side surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 (i.e., the handle is provided as a straight, graspable member that extends between two support portions of the first carrier support member 108 and that is substantially parallel to the side surface 106 c ).
- the first user engagement member 108 a may be moveable (e.g., provided in a moveable coupling defined by the first carrier support member 108 ) such that the orientation of the first user engagement member 108 a with respect to the side surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 is changeable (e.g., to the substantially perpendicular orientation illustrated in FIG. 2 , or to any other orientation desired by the user).
- the first carrier support member 108 also includes a third user engagement member 108 b that is positioned adjacent the first user engagement member 108 a and that defines an arm channel 108 c that is spaced apart from the first user engagement member 108 a to allow a user to grasp the first user engagement member 108 a with a hand and engage the third user engagement member 108 with an arm that includes that hand by placing that arm in the arm channel 108 c , as discussed in further detail below.
- the third user engagement member 108 b may include any of a variety of padding, cushioning, or other engagement features known in the art on its inner surface that is immediately adjacent the arm channel 108 c such that those padding and/or cushioning features engage the arm of the user when that arm is located in the arm channel 108 c .
- the third user engagement member 108 b may be omitted from the carrier system 100 .
- a second carrier support member 110 extends from the side surface 106 d of the carrier base 102 and includes a second user engagement member 110 a that, as discussed below, provides for supporting the chassis base 102 when the chassis base 102 is lifted and supported using the first user engagement member 108 a .
- the second carrier support member 110 is integral to the carrier base 102 as a molded portion of the carrier base 102 that extends from the side surface 106 d .
- the second carrier support member 110 is attached to the carrier base 102 via an attachment coupling on the carrier base 102 that may accept a variety of coupling members such as screws, clips, and/or other coupling members known in the art.
- the second carrier support member 110 may be attachable to and detachable from the carrier base 102 by the user via a variety of quick-attach and quick-release couplings known in the art.
- a user may be enabled to attach the second carrier support member 110 to the side surface 106 d of the carrier base 102 when the user wishes to perform the method 300 discussed below, and may detach the second carrier support member 110 from the side surface 106 d of the carrier base 102 when the user is no longer performing the method 300 discussed below.
- the second carrier support member 110 is illustrated as including a first end from which it extends from the side surface 106 d of the carrier base 102 , and a second end that is opposite the second carrier support member 110 from the first end and includes the second user engagement member 110 a that “free floats” or is otherwise not directly connected to the carrier base 102 .
- the second carrier support member 110 may extend from other locations on the carrier base 102 that are opposite the side surface 106 c from the first carrier support member 108 while still providing the support discussed below.
- the second carrier support member may extend from different locations on the carrier base 102 (e.g., the bottom surface 106 e ), from multiple locations on the carrier base 102 (e.g., the front surface 106 a and the rear surface 106 b ), and/or from any other location that provides for the support of the carrier base 102 by the second carrier support member 102 that is detailed below.
- the second carrier support member 110 may be coupled on both of its ends to the carrier base 102 (e.g., on its opposing ends to the side surfaces 106 c and 106 d as illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b ), while providing the second user engagement member 110 a somewhere along the length of the second carrier support member 110 .
- FIGS. 1 a -1 f are envisioned as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.
- the second user engagement member 110 a defines an arm channel 110 b that, in the illustrated embodiment, is located on a distal end of the second carrier support member 110 (opposite the end of the second carrier support member 110 that is connected to the side surface 106 d ) and that is configured to allow a user to engage the second user engagement member 110 a with an arm when the user is grasping the first user engagement member 108 a with their hand (and optionally has that arm engaging the third user engagement member 108 b ) by placing that arm in the arm channel 110 b , as discussed in further detail below.
- the second user engagement member 110 a may be provided at some point along the length of the second carrier support member 110 rather than on its distal end.
- the second user engagement member 110 a may include any of a variety of padding, cushioning, or other engagement features known in the art on its inner surface that is immediately adjacent the arm channel 110 b such that those padding and/or cushioning features engage the arm of the user when that arm is located in the arm channel 110 b.
- the carrier base 102 includes a footprint 112 that is defined by a perimeter of the carrier base 102 when the carrier base 102 is viewed from a top view in its normal use orientation (e.g., with the bottom surface 106 e of the carrier base 102 engaging, facing, and/or parallel to the ground).
- FIG. 1 g illustrates how the first user engagement member 108 a is located outside of the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 , as well as illustrating how the second user engagement member 110 a may also be located outside of the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 .
- providing these user engagement members outside of the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 allows a user to lift and support the carrier base 102 while preventing the carrier base 102 from engaging the leg and/or hip of the user and in a manner that is less stressful and fatiguing on the muscles in the arm and shoulder of the user relative to conventional systems and methods.
- the second user engagement member 110 a located within the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
- the carrier system 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes the first carrier support member 108 with a moveable coupling 200 that is coupled to the first user engagement member 108 a and that provides a range of motion A of the first user engagement member 108 a that allows the first user engagement member 108 a to move relative to the carrier base 102 and between a parallel orientation similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 f (e.g., where the handle provided by the first user engagement member 108 a is parallel to the side surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 ), and a perpendicular orientation illustrated in FIG.
- the moveable coupling 200 may include any of a variety of moveable couplings and features (e.g., locks, detents, etc.) that allow the first user engagement member 108 a to be moved into and secured in any intermediate orientations or other orientations desirable by the user.
- first carrier support member 108 and/or the carrier base 102 may be provided on the first carrier support member 108 and/or the carrier base 102 to allow for other types of movement of the first user engagement member 108 a such as, for example, a vertical range of motion that allows the distance between the first user engagement member 108 a and the arm channel 108 c defined by the third user engagement member 108 b to be adjusted, a horizontal range of motion that allows the distance between the first user engagement member 108 a and a central axis of the arm channel 108 c defined by the third user engagement member 108 b to be adjusted, and/or any other movement that would allow for the re-positioning of the first user engagement member 108 a as desired by the user.
- a vertical range of motion that allows the distance between the first user engagement member 108 a and the arm channel 108 c defined by the third user engagement member 108 b to be adjusted
- a horizontal range of motion that allows the distance between the first user engagement member 108 a and a central axis
- the carrier system 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 also includes the second carrier support member 110 with a moveable coupling 202 that is provided between the second user engagement member 110 a and the side surface 106 d of the carrier base 102 , and that provides for an extension B of the second carrier support member 110 that allows the second user engagement member 110 to move relative to the carrier base 102 from is coupling to the carrier base 102 via the second carrier support member 110 . While the second carrier support member 110 is illustrated and described in FIG.
- the moveable coupling 202 may include any of a variety of moveably couplings and features (e.g., locks, detents, etc.) that allow the second user engagement member 110 a to be moved into and secured in any intermediate orientations or other orientations desirable by the user.
- moveably couplings and features e.g., locks, detents, etc.
- moveable couplings may be provided on the second carrier support member 110 and/or the carrier base 102 to allow for other movement of the second user engagement member 110 a such as, for example, rotational movement that allows the rotational position of the second user engagement member 108 a relative to the carrier base 102 to be adjusted, and/or any other movement that would allow for the re-positioning of the second user engagement member 110 a as desired by the user.
- a rotational coupling may couple the second carrier support member 110 to the carrier base 102 such that the second carrier support member 110 may be rotated away from the child seat 104 (e.g., towards the back surface 106 b of the carrier base 102 ) in order to, for example, place the carrier system 100 in a car, to place a child in the carrier system 100 , etc.
- the moveable coupling (e.g., a telescoping coupling similar to moveable coupling 202 ) may be provided adjacent the second user engagement member 110 a to allow for movement of the second user engagement member 110 a relative to the second carrier support member 110 in order to, for example, extend the second user engagement member 110 a in a substantially horizontal plane after extending the second carrier support member 110 in a substantially vertical plane using the moveable coupling 202 .
- FIGS. 3 and 4 and with reference to FIGS. 1 a -1 g , an embodiment of a method 300 for supporting a carrier is illustrated. While the method 300 is described as being performed using the carrier system 100 illustrated and described above with reference to FIGS. 1 a -1 g , it may similarly be performed using any of the modified features either described above or in further detail below while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure, as well as being utilized with a variety of other types of carrier systems known in the art.
- the method 300 is described as being performed by a user 400 including a first arm with a first arm portion 402 (i.e., an upper arm or bicep portion of the right arm of the user 400 ), a second arm portion 404 (i.e., a forearm portion of the right arm of the user 400 ), and a hand 406 (i.e., on the right arm).
- a first arm with a first arm portion 402 i.e., an upper arm or bicep portion of the right arm of the user 400
- a second arm portion 404 i.e., a forearm portion of the right arm of the user 400
- a hand 406 i.e., on the right arm.
- alternative embodiments of the carrier system 100 may allow for performance of the method 300 using similar parts of a second arm of the user 400 (i.e., the left arm) while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
- the method 300 begins at block 302 where the first user engagement member is engaged with a hand.
- the user 400 may engage the first user engagement member 108 a by grasping the first user engagement member 108 a with their hand 406 .
- the first user engagement member 108 a may be moveable relative to the carrier base 102 , and thus in some embodiments the user 400 may move the first user engagement member 108 a relative to the carrier base 102 and into an orientation desired by the user prior to grasping the first user engagement member 108 a (and subsequent to securing the first user engagement member 1089 a in that orientation in some embodiments), or the user 400 may move the first user engagement member 108 a relative to the carrier base 102 and into an orientation desired by the user subsequent to grasping the first user engagement member 108 a .
- the user 400 may move the hand 406 and second portion of the arm 404 through the arm channel 108 c defined by the third user engagement member 108 b in order to grasp the first user engagement member 108 a , and as a result the third user engagement member 108 b will be engaged by the second portion 404 of the arm of the user 400 .
- the method 300 then proceeds to block 304 where the second user engagement member is engaged with a portion of an arm.
- the user 400 may engage the second user engagement member 110 a by positioning the first portion 402 of their arm in the arm channel 110 b defined by the second user engagement member 110 a .
- the second user engagement member 110 a may be moveable relative to the carrier base 102 , and thus in some embodiments the user 400 may move the second user engagement member 110 a relative to the carrier base 102 and into an orientation desired by the user and that allows the first portion 402 of their arm to be positioned in the arm channel 110 b and in engagement with the second user engagement member 110 a .
- the user 400 may move the hand 406 , the second portion 404 of their arm, and the first portion 402 of their arm through the arm channel 110 b defined by the second user engagement member 110 a (and through the arm channel 108 c defined by the third user engagement member 108 b , when provided) in order to grasp the first user engagement member 108 a , and as a result the second user engagement member 110 a is engaged by the first portion 402 of the arm of the user 400 (as well as the third user engagement member 108 b being engaged by the second portion 404 of the arm of the user 400 , when provided).
- the method 300 then proceeds to block 306 where a lifting force is provided on the first user engagement member to produce a support force on the second user engagement member.
- blocks 302 and 304 may be performed while the carrier system 100 is located on the ground 408 .
- the user may provide a lifting force on the first user engagement member 108 a in a direction C to cause the first user engagement member 108 a to move in the direction C.
- the carrier system 100 will begin to rotate about the first user engagement member 108 a .
- the lifting and supporting of the carrier base 102 may be accomplished with the carrier base 102 substantially parallel to the ground 408 (e.g., as illustrated by the plane 410 that is indicated by the dotted line and that is substantially co-planar with the bottom surface 106 e of the carrier base 102 ).
- the user 400 may stand still and/or walk with the carrier system 100 supported as illustrated in FIG. 4 , which has been found to reduce and/or eliminate the occurrence of the carrier base 102 engaging the hip and/or leg of the user 400 .
- the orientation of the arm of the user 400 when lifting and supporting the carrier system 100 as illustrated in FIG. 4 has been found to remedy many of the deficiencies discussed above that are associated with conventional carrier systems.
- the load of the carrier system 100 may be supported by user 400 with their arm substantially straight down by their side (e.g., with the arm substantially extended and located adjacent the torso and hip of the user 400 ).
- Using the arm orientations enabled by the systems and methods of the present disclosure to support the load of the carrier system 100 engages the shoulder muscles, rotator cuff, and deltoid, but does not work those muscles to the extent that they are worked using the typical arm orientations that utilized for conventional carrier systems as discussed above.
- the arm orientations enabled by the systems and methods of the present disclosure do not substantially engage the supraspinatus muscle, and do not put any substantial load on the biceps such that stress on the labrum in the shoulder is substantially eliminated.
- the carrier systems and methods of the present disclosure utilize a handle extending from a first outer surface of the carrier base such that the handle is located outside of a footprint of the carrier chassis, along with a support member that extends from a second side of the carrier chassis and that is configured to engage an arm of a user when the hand on that arm is lifting the carrier chassis using the handle.
- a user lifting and supporting the carrier chassis using the systems and methods of the present disclosure will not engage their hip and/or leg with the carrier chassis when the user is holding the carrier system and/or walking with the carrier system, and may do so using an arm orientation that produces less stress on the muscles in the user's arm and shoulders than is experienced in conventional carrier systems, thus providing the user the ability to support the carrier system comfortably and without stress, fatigue, or injury.
- the carrier system 500 is substantially similar to the carrier system 100 , discussed above, but with the provision of a modified second carrier support member 502 replacing the second carrier support member 110 , and an added user engagement member 504 that is substantially similar to the first user engagement member 108 a but that extends from the side surface 106 d opposite the carrier base 102 from the side surface 106 c , and that is located outside of the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 .
- the modified second carrier support member 502 extends from both the side surface 106 c and the side surface 106 d of the carrier base 102 .
- the modified second carrier support member 502 may extend, respectively, from the carrier support member that includes the first user engagement member 108 a and from the carrier support member that includes the added user engagement member 504 .
- the modified second carrier support member 502 includes a modified second user engagement member 502 a that is provided by an appropriately shaped portion of the modified second carrier support member 502 and that defines an arm channel that is similar to the arm channel 110 b defined by the second user engagement member 110 a , and that may be may be located outside of the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 .
- the modified second carrier support member 502 also includes an added user engagement member 502 b that is provided by an appropriately shaped portion of the modified second carrier support member 502 and that defines an arm channel that is similar to the arm channel 110 b defined by the second user engagement member 110 a , and that may be located outside of the footprint 112 of the carrier base 102 .
- a third user engagement member e.g., similar to the third user engagement member 108 b discussed above
- the alternative carrier system 500 may be utilized according to the method 300 substantially as described above for the carrier system 100 .
- the user may utilize the hand 406 on their right arm to grasp the first user engagement member 108 a while engaging the modified second user engagement member 502 a with the second portion 404 on their right arm (as illustrated in FIG. 5 a ).
- the user may utilize the hand on their left arm to grasp the added user engagement member 504 while engaging the added user engagement member 502 b with a portion on their left arm.
- the alternative carrier system 500 allows the user 400 to lift and support the carrier base 102 using either of their arms (or a preferred arm) while realizing the benefits discussed above.
- the alternative carrier system 500 also includes rotatable couplings 506 a and 506 b that are located between the first user engagement member 108 a and the modified second carrier support member 502 , as well as between the added user engagement member 504 and the modified second carrier support member 502 .
- the modified second carrier support member 502 may be utilized to lift and support the alternative carrier system 500 in a conventional manner.
- the rotatable couplings 506 a and 506 b may be utilized to allow the modified second carrier support member 502 to be rotated about an axis defined by the rotatable couplings 506 a and 506 b to, for example, move the modified second carrier support member 502 adjacent the front surface 106 a or back surface 106 b of the carrier base 102 (e.g., when positioning the alternative carrier system 500 in a car).
- the alternative carrier system 500 also includes extendable couplings 508 a and 508 b located between the first user engagement member 108 a and the modified second carrier support member 502 , as well as between the added user engagement member 504 and the modified second carrier support member 502 . As illustrated in FIG.
- the extendable couplings 508 a and 508 b allow the modified second carrier support member 502 to be extended away from the carrier base 102 in a direction D, which moves the modified second user engagement member 502 such that it engages the first portion 402 of the user's arm instead of the second portion 402 (as illustrated in FIG. 5 a ).
- the modified second carrier support member 502 moves the modified second user engagement member 502 such that it engages the first portion 402 of the user's arm instead of the second portion 402 (as illustrated in FIG. 5 a ).
- similarly functionality is available when utilizing the left arm of the user 400 to lift and support the alternative carrier system 500 via the added user engagement member 504 and the added user engagement member 502 b.
Abstract
A carrier system includes a carrier base that defines a carrier footprint. A first carrier support member extends from an outer side surface on the carrier base, and includes a first user engagement member that is located outside of the carrier footprint. A second carrier support member extends from the carrier base from a location on the carrier base that is opposite the outer side surface from the first carrier support member, and includes a second user engagement member. The engagement of the first user engagement member with a hand of a user and the engagement of the second user engagement member with a portion of an arm of the user that includes the hand provides for support of the carrier base with the hand located outside of the carrier footprint, which has been found to reduce arm strain and provide a more natural carrying position for the user.
Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to carrier systems, and more particularly to a support system for a carrier system.
- Carrier systems are typically utilized to assist a user in lifting, supporting, and carrying a wide variety of things, and include child carrier systems such as child car seats for carrying children, grocery carrier systems such as grocery baskets for carrying groceries, luggage carrying systems such as suitcases and bags for carrying clothing, and/or other carrier systems known in the art. Conventional carrier systems include a carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container that include a handle system that may extend from opposite sides of the carrier seat or carrier basket or from a surface of the carrier container, and that handle system provides a handle that is located within a footprint of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container (i.e., within a perimeter of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container when the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container is viewed from a top view in its normal use orientation). As is known in the art of such carrier systems, the use of such handle systems to support the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container typically involves the user using the handle to lift and support the carrier system, and typically results in the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container engaging the leg and/or hip of the user when the user is standing or walking. Such engagement of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container with the leg and/or hip of the user can be annoying, painful, and in some cases damaging. Some solutions to this issue involve the user holding the carrier system out and away from their body to prevent the engagement of the carrier seat, carrier basket, or carrier container with their leg and/or hip, or engaging the handle system with the “crook” of their arm (e.g. between the forearm and the bicep on the user's arm). However, such solutions cause the user to engage several muscles in their arm and shoulder in a manner that result in accelerated fatigue and sometimes muscle damage.
- Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved carrier support system.
- According to one embodiment, a child support system includes a seat chassis that defines a seat channel; a child seat located in the seat channel; a first user engagement member that is coupled to a first side of the seat chassis, wherein the first user engagement member is located outside of a footprint of the seat chassis and is configured to engage a first hand of a user; and a second user engagement member that is coupled to a second side of the seat chassis and that is configured to engage a portion of a first arm of the user when the first hand of the user is engaging the first user engagement member.
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FIG. 1a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a carrier system. -
FIG. 1b is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system ofFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 1c is a front view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system ofFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 1d is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system ofFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 1e is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system ofFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 1f is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system ofFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 1g is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a carrier base footprint of the carrier system ofFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the carrier system ofFIGS. 1a-1f including some optional functionality associated with carrier support members and user engagement members. -
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for supporting a carrier system. -
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a user lifting and supporting the carrier system ofFIGS. 1a -1 f. -
FIG. 5a is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a user lifting and supporting a modified version of the carrier system ofFIGS. 1a -1 f. -
FIG. 5b is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a user lifting and supporting the modified carrier system ofFIG. 4a that includes some optional functionality associated with carrier support members and user engagement members. - As discussed above, the use of conventional support systems on conventional carrier systems involves the user using a handle that is provided within a footprint of the carrier base to lift and support the carrier system, and typically results in the carrier base engaging the leg and/or hip of the user when the user is standing or walking. Furthermore, conventional solutions to this issue involve the user attempting to hold the carrier system out and away from their body to prevent the engagement of the carrier base with their leg and/or hip, or engaging the handle system with the “crook” of their arm (e.g. between the forearm and the bicep on the user's arm). When the carrier system is held out and away from the body of a user, several muscles in the users' arm and shoulder are engaged such as, for example, the deltoid, the bicep, the rotator cuff, several muscles in the shoulder, the supraspinatus muscle, and others. Much of this muscle engagement involves contracting the muscles in an isotonic manner (i.e., where the tension remains unchanged while the length of the muscle changes (shortens or lengthens) in order to support the weight of the carrier system), and can result in fatigue and sometimes damage. For example, the engagement of the supraspinatus muscle to support the carrier system in this manner is necessary because the supraspinatus muscle is responsible for the first 15-30 degrees of movement of the arm away from the body, and it is notable because the supraspinatus muscle is one of the most frequently torn muscles in the body, as well as one of the smaller muscles in the body and thus more prone to fatigue than the other muscles engaged when supporting the carrier system in this manner. Carrying the carrier system using the “crook” of a users' arm can reduce the engagement of the supraspinatus muscle to remedy some of the issues discussed above, but introduces a flexed elbow and engaged bicep to provide support the carrier system, which puts added stresses on the labrum in the shoulder (another frequently torn muscle) and provides for an awkward carrying orientation for the user.
- As described in detail below, carrier support systems and methods for supporting a carrier system have been discovered that remedy the deficiencies of the conventional systems discussed above. The systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a carrier system that includes a carrier base with a handle that is located outside of the footprint of the carrier base, along with an arm support that extends from a location on the carrier base that is opposite at least some of the carrier base from the handle. A user may engage the handle with their hand to lift and support the carrier system while engaging the arm support with their arm (the arm that includes the hand engaging the handle) to also support the carrier system, which allows the user to lift and support the carrier system while standing and walking while reducing the occurrence of the carrier base engaging the leg and/or hip of the user. Furthermore, it is believed that the arm orientation that is enabled by the systems and methods of the present disclosure when lifting and supporting a carrier system produces less stress on the muscles in the arm and shoulder of the user relative to conventional systems and methods, particularly with regard the supraspinatus muscle. While in the embodiments discussed below, the carrier system is illustrated and described as a child carrier system, the teachings of the present disclosure will be beneficial for any of a variety of carrier systems including the grocery carrier systems and the luggage carrier systems discussed above, and/or any other carrier systems known in the art.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f , an embodiment of acarrier system 100 is illustrated. Thecarrier system 100 includes acarrier base 102. In the illustrated embodiment, thecarrier base 102 is a seat chassis that defines aseat channel 102 a, and achild seat 104 is located in theseat channel 102 a that may include any of a wide variety of child seat features including cushion features, child securing features such as seat belts and straps, and/or any other child seat features known in art. Thecarrier base 102 includes a plurality of outer surfaces including afront surface 106 a, arear surface 106 b that is located substantially opposite thecarrier base 102 from thefront surface 106 a, aside surface 106 c that extends between thefront surface 106 a and therear surface 106 b, aside surface 106 d that extends between thefront surface 106 a and therear surface 106 b and that is located substantially opposite thecarrier base 102 from theside surface 106 c, and abottom surface 106 e that extends between thefront surface 106 a, therear surface 106 b, theside surface 106 c, and theside surface 106 d. - As is known in the art of child carrier systems such as those that include the seat chassis and
child seat 102 a illustrated and described below, the outer surfaces of the carrier base/seat chassis may include intermediate surfaces between thefront surface 106 a, therear surface 106 b, theside surface 106 c, theside surface 106 d, and thebottom surface 106 e that may provide curved or transitional outer surfaces between substantially parallel portions of the front surface and rear surface, and substantially parallel portions of theside surfaces side surfaces - In alternative embodiments, the
carrier base 102 may include a variety of different configurations. For example, when the carrier system is a grocery carrier system, thecarrier base 102 may be a grocery basket chassis that defines a grocery channel and that utilizing a variety of grocery basket materials known in the art (e.g., plastic walls, metal mesh walls, etc.) that may be used to provide the front surface, rear surface, side surfaces, and bottom surface discussed above, as well as including any grocery carrier system features known in the art. Similarly, when the carrier system is a luggage carrier system, thecarrier base 102 may be a luggage chassis that defines a luggage channel and that utilizes a variety of luggage materials known in the art that may be used to provide the front surface, rear surface, side surfaces, and bottom surface discussed above, as well as including any luggage carrier system features known in the art. As such, the Applicants submit that one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize how the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to any of a wide variety of carrier systems known in the art while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. - A first
carrier support member 108 extends from theside surface 106 c of thecarrier base 102 and includes a firstuser engagement member 108 a that, as discussed in the embodiments illustrated below, provides a handle for lifting and supporting thechassis base 102. In some embodiment, the firstcarrier support member 108 is integral to thecarrier base 102 as a molded portion of thecarrier base 102 that extends from theside surface 106 c. In other embodiments, the firstcarrier support member 108 is attached to thecarrier base 102 via an attachment coupling on thecarrier base 102 that may accept a variety of coupling members such as screws, clips, and/or other coupling members known in the art. In yet other embodiments, the firstcarrier support member 108 may be attachable to and detachable from thecarrier base 102 by the user via a variety of quick-attach and quick-release couplings known in the art. As such, a user may be enabled to attach the firstcarrier support member 108 to theside surface 106 c of thecarrier base 102 when the user wishes to perform themethod 300 discussed below, and may detach the firstcarrier support member 108 from theside surface 106 c of thecarrier base 102 when the user is no longer performing themethod 300 discussed below. InFIGS. 1a and 1f , the firstuser engagement member 108 a is illustrated having a substantially parallel orientation with respect to theside surface 106 c of the carrier base 102 (i.e., the handle is provided as a straight, graspable member that extends between two support portions of the firstcarrier support member 108 and that is substantially parallel to theside surface 106 c). However, as discussed below, the firstuser engagement member 108 a may be moveable (e.g., provided in a moveable coupling defined by the first carrier support member 108) such that the orientation of the firstuser engagement member 108 a with respect to theside surface 106 c of thecarrier base 102 is changeable (e.g., to the substantially perpendicular orientation illustrated inFIG. 2 , or to any other orientation desired by the user). - In the illustrated embodiment, the first
carrier support member 108 also includes a thirduser engagement member 108 b that is positioned adjacent the firstuser engagement member 108 a and that defines anarm channel 108 c that is spaced apart from the firstuser engagement member 108 a to allow a user to grasp the firstuser engagement member 108 a with a hand and engage the thirduser engagement member 108 with an arm that includes that hand by placing that arm in thearm channel 108 c, as discussed in further detail below. The thirduser engagement member 108 b may include any of a variety of padding, cushioning, or other engagement features known in the art on its inner surface that is immediately adjacent thearm channel 108 c such that those padding and/or cushioning features engage the arm of the user when that arm is located in thearm channel 108 c. However, in other non-illustrated embodiments, the thirduser engagement member 108 b may be omitted from thecarrier system 100. - A second
carrier support member 110 extends from theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102 and includes a seconduser engagement member 110 a that, as discussed below, provides for supporting thechassis base 102 when thechassis base 102 is lifted and supported using the firstuser engagement member 108 a. In some embodiments, the secondcarrier support member 110 is integral to thecarrier base 102 as a molded portion of thecarrier base 102 that extends from theside surface 106 d. In other embodiments, the secondcarrier support member 110 is attached to thecarrier base 102 via an attachment coupling on thecarrier base 102 that may accept a variety of coupling members such as screws, clips, and/or other coupling members known in the art. In yet other embodiments, the secondcarrier support member 110 may be attachable to and detachable from thecarrier base 102 by the user via a variety of quick-attach and quick-release couplings known in the art. As such, a user may be enabled to attach the secondcarrier support member 110 to theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102 when the user wishes to perform themethod 300 discussed below, and may detach the secondcarrier support member 110 from theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102 when the user is no longer performing themethod 300 discussed below. - In the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 1a-1f , the secondcarrier support member 110 is illustrated as including a first end from which it extends from theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102, and a second end that is opposite the secondcarrier support member 110 from the first end and includes the seconduser engagement member 110 a that “free floats” or is otherwise not directly connected to thecarrier base 102. However, the secondcarrier support member 110 may extend from other locations on thecarrier base 102 that are opposite theside surface 106 c from the firstcarrier support member 108 while still providing the support discussed below. For example, the second carrier support member may extend from different locations on the carrier base 102 (e.g., thebottom surface 106 e), from multiple locations on the carrier base 102 (e.g., thefront surface 106 a and therear surface 106 b), and/or from any other location that provides for the support of thecarrier base 102 by the secondcarrier support member 102 that is detailed below. Furthermore, as discussed below, the secondcarrier support member 110 may be coupled on both of its ends to the carrier base 102 (e.g., on its opposing ends to the side surfaces 106 c and 106 d as illustrated inFIGS. 5a and 5b ), while providing the seconduser engagement member 110 a somewhere along the length of the secondcarrier support member 110. Thus, a wide variety of configurations of the second carrier support member and second user engagement member other than those illustrated inFIGS. 1a-1f are envisioned as falling within the scope of the present disclosure. - The second
user engagement member 110 a defines anarm channel 110 b that, in the illustrated embodiment, is located on a distal end of the second carrier support member 110 (opposite the end of the secondcarrier support member 110 that is connected to theside surface 106 d) and that is configured to allow a user to engage the seconduser engagement member 110 a with an arm when the user is grasping the firstuser engagement member 108 a with their hand (and optionally has that arm engaging the thirduser engagement member 108 b) by placing that arm in thearm channel 110 b, as discussed in further detail below. However, in other embodiments, only a few of which are discussed below, the seconduser engagement member 110 a may be provided at some point along the length of the secondcarrier support member 110 rather than on its distal end. The seconduser engagement member 110 a may include any of a variety of padding, cushioning, or other engagement features known in the art on its inner surface that is immediately adjacent thearm channel 110 b such that those padding and/or cushioning features engage the arm of the user when that arm is located in thearm channel 110 b. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1a-1g , and particularly toFIGS. 1f and 1g , thecarrier base 102 includes afootprint 112 that is defined by a perimeter of thecarrier base 102 when thecarrier base 102 is viewed from a top view in its normal use orientation (e.g., with thebottom surface 106 e of thecarrier base 102 engaging, facing, and/or parallel to the ground).FIG. 1g illustrates how the firstuser engagement member 108 a is located outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102, as well as illustrating how the seconduser engagement member 110 a may also be located outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102. As discussed in further detail below, providing these user engagement members outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102 allows a user to lift and support thecarrier base 102 while preventing thecarrier base 102 from engaging the leg and/or hip of the user and in a manner that is less stressful and fatiguing on the muscles in the arm and shoulder of the user relative to conventional systems and methods. However, as discussed below, in some embodiments, at least some of the benefits discussed above may be realized with the seconduser engagement member 110 a located within thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , embodiments of some optional features of thecarrier system 100 are illustrated. Thecarrier system 100 illustrated inFIG. 2 includes the firstcarrier support member 108 with amoveable coupling 200 that is coupled to the firstuser engagement member 108 a and that provides a range of motion A of the firstuser engagement member 108 a that allows the firstuser engagement member 108 a to move relative to thecarrier base 102 and between a parallel orientation similar to that illustrated inFIGS. 1a and 1f (e.g., where the handle provided by the firstuser engagement member 108 a is parallel to theside surface 106 c of the carrier base 102), and a perpendicular orientation illustrated inFIG. 2 (e.g., where the handle provided by the firstuser engagement member 108 a is perpendicular to theside surface 106 c of the carrier base 102). While the firstuser engagement member 108 a is illustrated (e.g., inFIGS. 1a, 1f , and 2) and described above as being allowed to move between a substantially parallel orientation and a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to theside surface 106 c, themoveable coupling 200 may include any of a variety of moveable couplings and features (e.g., locks, detents, etc.) that allow the firstuser engagement member 108 a to be moved into and secured in any intermediate orientations or other orientations desirable by the user. Furthermore, other types of moveable couplings may be provided on the firstcarrier support member 108 and/or thecarrier base 102 to allow for other types of movement of the firstuser engagement member 108 a such as, for example, a vertical range of motion that allows the distance between the firstuser engagement member 108 a and thearm channel 108 c defined by the thirduser engagement member 108 b to be adjusted, a horizontal range of motion that allows the distance between the firstuser engagement member 108 a and a central axis of thearm channel 108 c defined by the thirduser engagement member 108 b to be adjusted, and/or any other movement that would allow for the re-positioning of the firstuser engagement member 108 a as desired by the user. - The
carrier system 100 illustrated inFIG. 2 also includes the secondcarrier support member 110 with amoveable coupling 202 that is provided between the seconduser engagement member 110 a and theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102, and that provides for an extension B of the secondcarrier support member 110 that allows the seconduser engagement member 110 to move relative to thecarrier base 102 from is coupling to thecarrier base 102 via the secondcarrier support member 110. While the secondcarrier support member 110 is illustrated and described inFIG. 2 as including amoveable coupling 202 that provides for telescoping movement of the secondcarrier support member 110, themoveable coupling 202 may include any of a variety of moveably couplings and features (e.g., locks, detents, etc.) that allow the seconduser engagement member 110 a to be moved into and secured in any intermediate orientations or other orientations desirable by the user. Furthermore, other types of moveable couplings may be provided on the secondcarrier support member 110 and/or thecarrier base 102 to allow for other movement of the seconduser engagement member 110 a such as, for example, rotational movement that allows the rotational position of the seconduser engagement member 108 a relative to thecarrier base 102 to be adjusted, and/or any other movement that would allow for the re-positioning of the seconduser engagement member 110 a as desired by the user. For example, a rotational coupling may couple the secondcarrier support member 110 to thecarrier base 102 such that the secondcarrier support member 110 may be rotated away from the child seat 104 (e.g., towards theback surface 106 b of the carrier base 102) in order to, for example, place thecarrier system 100 in a car, to place a child in thecarrier system 100, etc. In another example, the moveable coupling (e.g., a telescoping coupling similar to moveable coupling 202) may be provided adjacent the seconduser engagement member 110 a to allow for movement of the seconduser engagement member 110 a relative to the secondcarrier support member 110 in order to, for example, extend the seconduser engagement member 110 a in a substantially horizontal plane after extending the secondcarrier support member 110 in a substantially vertical plane using themoveable coupling 202. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , and with reference toFIGS. 1a-1g , an embodiment of amethod 300 for supporting a carrier is illustrated. While themethod 300 is described as being performed using thecarrier system 100 illustrated and described above with reference toFIGS. 1a-1g , it may similarly be performed using any of the modified features either described above or in further detail below while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure, as well as being utilized with a variety of other types of carrier systems known in the art. Themethod 300 is described as being performed by auser 400 including a first arm with a first arm portion 402 (i.e., an upper arm or bicep portion of the right arm of the user 400), a second arm portion 404 (i.e., a forearm portion of the right arm of the user 400), and a hand 406 (i.e., on the right arm). However, as discussed below, alternative embodiments of thecarrier system 100 may allow for performance of themethod 300 using similar parts of a second arm of the user 400 (i.e., the left arm) while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. - The
method 300 begins at block 302 where the first user engagement member is engaged with a hand. In an embodiment, theuser 400 may engage the firstuser engagement member 108 a by grasping the firstuser engagement member 108 a with theirhand 406. As discussed above, the firstuser engagement member 108 a may be moveable relative to thecarrier base 102, and thus in some embodiments theuser 400 may move the firstuser engagement member 108 a relative to thecarrier base 102 and into an orientation desired by the user prior to grasping the firstuser engagement member 108 a (and subsequent to securing the first user engagement member 1089 a in that orientation in some embodiments), or theuser 400 may move the firstuser engagement member 108 a relative to thecarrier base 102 and into an orientation desired by the user subsequent to grasping the firstuser engagement member 108 a. In embodiments in which the thirduser engagement member 108 b is provided (e.g., as illustrated), at block 302 theuser 400 may move thehand 406 and second portion of thearm 404 through thearm channel 108 c defined by the thirduser engagement member 108 b in order to grasp the firstuser engagement member 108 a, and as a result the thirduser engagement member 108 b will be engaged by thesecond portion 404 of the arm of theuser 400. - The
method 300 then proceeds to block 304 where the second user engagement member is engaged with a portion of an arm. In an embodiment, theuser 400 may engage the seconduser engagement member 110 a by positioning thefirst portion 402 of their arm in thearm channel 110 b defined by the seconduser engagement member 110 a. As discussed above, the seconduser engagement member 110 a may be moveable relative to thecarrier base 102, and thus in some embodiments theuser 400 may move the seconduser engagement member 110 a relative to thecarrier base 102 and into an orientation desired by the user and that allows thefirst portion 402 of their arm to be positioned in thearm channel 110 b and in engagement with the seconduser engagement member 110 a. In some embodiments, theuser 400 may move thehand 406, thesecond portion 404 of their arm, and thefirst portion 402 of their arm through thearm channel 110 b defined by the seconduser engagement member 110 a (and through thearm channel 108 c defined by the thirduser engagement member 108 b, when provided) in order to grasp the firstuser engagement member 108 a, and as a result the seconduser engagement member 110 a is engaged by thefirst portion 402 of the arm of the user 400 (as well as the thirduser engagement member 108 b being engaged by thesecond portion 404 of the arm of theuser 400, when provided). - The
method 300 then proceeds to block 306 where a lifting force is provided on the first user engagement member to produce a support force on the second user engagement member. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , blocks 302 and 304 may be performed while thecarrier system 100 is located on theground 408. Atblock 306, the user may provide a lifting force on the firstuser engagement member 108 a in a direction C to cause the firstuser engagement member 108 a to move in the direction C. In response to that lifting force, thecarrier system 100 will begin to rotate about the firstuser engagement member 108 a. However, as a result of the engagement of theportion 402 of the arm of theuser 400 with the seconduser engagement member 110 a, that rotation will cause theportion 402 of the arm of theuser 400 to produce a support force on the seconduser engagement member 110 a that is then transferred to theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102 to prevent that rotation. In addition, in embodiments where the thirduser engagement member 108 b is provided, the rotation of thecarrier system 100 about the firstuser engagement member 108 a will cause theportion 404 of the arm of theuser 400 engaging the thirduser engagement member 108 b to produce a support force on the thirduser engagement member 108 b that is then transferred toside surface 106 c of thecarrier base 102 to prevent that rotation. As a result of the lifting force provided on the firstuser engagement member 108 a and the support force(s) provided on the seconduser engagement member 110 a (and optionally the thirduser engagement member 108 b), the lifting and supporting of thecarrier base 102 may be accomplished with thecarrier base 102 substantially parallel to the ground 408 (e.g., as illustrated by theplane 410 that is indicated by the dotted line and that is substantially co-planar with thebottom surface 106 e of the carrier base 102). As such, theuser 400 may stand still and/or walk with thecarrier system 100 supported as illustrated inFIG. 4 , which has been found to reduce and/or eliminate the occurrence of thecarrier base 102 engaging the hip and/or leg of theuser 400. - Furthermore, the orientation of the arm of the
user 400 when lifting and supporting thecarrier system 100 as illustrated inFIG. 4 has been found to remedy many of the deficiencies discussed above that are associated with conventional carrier systems. As can be seen, using the systems and methods for the present disclosure, the load of thecarrier system 100 may be supported byuser 400 with their arm substantially straight down by their side (e.g., with the arm substantially extended and located adjacent the torso and hip of the user 400). Using the arm orientations enabled by the systems and methods of the present disclosure to support the load of thecarrier system 100 engages the shoulder muscles, rotator cuff, and deltoid, but does not work those muscles to the extent that they are worked using the typical arm orientations that utilized for conventional carrier systems as discussed above. Furthermore, the arm orientations enabled by the systems and methods of the present disclosure do not substantially engage the supraspinatus muscle, and do not put any substantial load on the biceps such that stress on the labrum in the shoulder is substantially eliminated. These benefits have been found using embodiments of the present disclosure that provide for lifting and support thecarrier system 100 with thehand 406 andfirst portion 402 of the arm located outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102, while embodiments of the present disclosure that provide for lifting and support of thecarrier system 100 with just thehand 406 of theuser 400 located outside of thefootprint 112 of the carrier base 102 (e.g., with some part of thefirst portion 402 of the arm of theuser 400 located within thefootprint 112 of the carrier base 102) have provided at least some of these benefits as well. - Thus, systems and methods have been described that provide a novel carrier system and method for supporting a carrier system that provide substantial benefits over conventional carrier systems and methods. The carrier systems and methods of the present disclosure utilize a handle extending from a first outer surface of the carrier base such that the handle is located outside of a footprint of the carrier chassis, along with a support member that extends from a second side of the carrier chassis and that is configured to engage an arm of a user when the hand on that arm is lifting the carrier chassis using the handle. A user lifting and supporting the carrier chassis using the systems and methods of the present disclosure will not engage their hip and/or leg with the carrier chassis when the user is holding the carrier system and/or walking with the carrier system, and may do so using an arm orientation that produces less stress on the muscles in the user's arm and shoulders than is experienced in conventional carrier systems, thus providing the user the ability to support the carrier system comfortably and without stress, fatigue, or injury.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 5a and 5b , an embodiment is illustrated showing theuser 400 lifting and supporting analternative carrier system 500 that utilizes the teachings of the present disclosure. Thecarrier system 500 is substantially similar to thecarrier system 100, discussed above, but with the provision of a modified secondcarrier support member 502 replacing the secondcarrier support member 110, and an addeduser engagement member 504 that is substantially similar to the firstuser engagement member 108 a but that extends from theside surface 106 d opposite thecarrier base 102 from theside surface 106 c, and that is located outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102. As can be seen, the modified secondcarrier support member 502 extends from both theside surface 106 c and theside surface 106 d of thecarrier base 102. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 5a , the modified secondcarrier support member 502 may extend, respectively, from the carrier support member that includes the firstuser engagement member 108 a and from the carrier support member that includes the addeduser engagement member 504. The modified secondcarrier support member 502 includes a modified seconduser engagement member 502 a that is provided by an appropriately shaped portion of the modified secondcarrier support member 502 and that defines an arm channel that is similar to thearm channel 110 b defined by the seconduser engagement member 110 a, and that may be may be located outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102. The modified secondcarrier support member 502 also includes an addeduser engagement member 502 b that is provided by an appropriately shaped portion of the modified secondcarrier support member 502 and that defines an arm channel that is similar to thearm channel 110 b defined by the seconduser engagement member 110 a, and that may be located outside of thefootprint 112 of thecarrier base 102. While not illustrated, a third user engagement member (e.g., similar to the thirduser engagement member 108 b discussed above) may be provided on either or both sides of thealternative carrier system 500 similarly as discussed above (e.g., with reference toFIGS. 1a-1g ) and/or as an extension from the modified secondcarrier support member 502 in order to provide for additional support of the carrier system. - In operation, the
alternative carrier system 500 may be utilized according to themethod 300 substantially as described above for thecarrier system 100. In some embodiments, the user may utilize thehand 406 on their right arm to grasp the firstuser engagement member 108 a while engaging the modified seconduser engagement member 502 a with thesecond portion 404 on their right arm (as illustrated inFIG. 5a ). In other embodiments, the user may utilize the hand on their left arm to grasp the addeduser engagement member 504 while engaging the addeduser engagement member 502 b with a portion on their left arm. As such, thealternative carrier system 500 allows theuser 400 to lift and support thecarrier base 102 using either of their arms (or a preferred arm) while realizing the benefits discussed above. - Furthermore, the
alternative carrier system 500 also includesrotatable couplings user engagement member 108 a and the modified secondcarrier support member 502, as well as between the addeduser engagement member 504 and the modified secondcarrier support member 502. In some embodiments, the modified secondcarrier support member 502 may be utilized to lift and support thealternative carrier system 500 in a conventional manner. Therotatable couplings carrier support member 502 to be rotated about an axis defined by therotatable couplings carrier support member 502 adjacent thefront surface 106 a orback surface 106 b of the carrier base 102 (e.g., when positioning thealternative carrier system 500 in a car). Further still, thealternative carrier system 500 also includesextendable couplings user engagement member 108 a and the modified secondcarrier support member 502, as well as between the addeduser engagement member 504 and the modified secondcarrier support member 502. As illustrated inFIG. 5b , theextendable couplings carrier support member 502 to be extended away from thecarrier base 102 in a direction D, which moves the modified seconduser engagement member 502 such that it engages thefirst portion 402 of the user's arm instead of the second portion 402 (as illustrated inFIG. 5a ). Similarly as discussed above, while illustrated as being utilized with the right arm of theuser 400, similarly functionality is available when utilizing the left arm of theuser 400 to lift and support thealternative carrier system 500 via the addeduser engagement member 504 and the addeduser engagement member 502 b. - Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Claims (20)
1. A carrier system, comprising:
a carrier base that defines a carrier footprint;
a first carrier support member that extends from an outer side surface on the carrier base, wherein the first carrier support member includes a first user engagement member that is located outside of the carrier footprint and that is configured to engage a hand of a user; and
a second carrier support member that extends from the carrier base from a location on the carrier base that is opposite the outer side surface from the first carrier support member, wherein the second carrier support member includes a second user engagement member that is configured to engage a portion of an arm of the user when the hand of the user is engaging the first user engagement member.
2. The carrier system of claim 1 , wherein the first user engagement member is moveable relative to the first carrier support member between a first orientation that is substantially parallel with the outer side surface of the carrier base and a second orientation that is substantially perpendicular with the outer side surface of the carrier base.
3. The carrier system of claim 1 , wherein the first carrier support member extends from a first outer side surface on the carrier base, and wherein the second carrier support member extends from a second outer side surface on the carrier base that is opposite the carrier base from the first outer side surface.
4. The carrier system of claim 1 , wherein the second user engagement member is configured to engage a first portion of the arm of the user, and the carrier system further comprises:
a third user engagement member that is located on the first carrier support member and that is configured to engage a second portion of the arm of the user that is located between the hand of the user and the first portion of the arm of the user.
5. The carrier system of claim 1 , wherein the second carrier support member is extendable to increase a length of the second carrier support member between the second user engagement member and the carrier base.
6. The carrier system of claim 1 , wherein the engagement of the first user engagement member with the hand of the user and the engagement of the second user engagement member with the portion of the arm of the user provides for support of the carrier base with both of the hand of the user and the arm of the user located outside of the carrier footprint.
7. A child support system, comprising:
a seat chassis that defines a seat channel;
a child seat located in the seat channel;
a first user engagement member that is coupled to a first side of the seat chassis, wherein the first user engagement member is located outside of a footprint of the seat chassis and is configured to engage a first hand of a user; and
a second user engagement member that is coupled to a second side of the seat chassis and that is configured to engage a portion of a first arm of the user when the first hand of the user is engaging the first user engagement member.
8. The child support system of claim 7 , wherein the first user engagement member is moveable between a first orientation that is substantially parallel with the first side of the seat chassis and a second orientation that is substantially perpendicular with the first side of the seat chassis.
9. The child support system of claim 7 , wherein the first side of the seat chassis is located opposite the seat chassis from the second side of the seat chassis.
10. The child support system of claim 7 , wherein the second user engagement member is configured to engage a first portion of the first arm of the user, and wherein the child support system further comprises:
a third user engagement member that extends from the first side of the seat chassis and that is configured to engage a second portion of the first arm of the user that is located between the first hand of the user and the first portion of the first arm of the user.
11. The child support system of claim 7 , wherein the second user engagement member is extendable by increasing a length of the coupling between the second user engagement member and the seat chassis.
12. The child support system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a third user engagement member that is coupled to the second side of the seat chassis, wherein the third user engagement member is located outside of the footprint of the seat chassis and is configured to engage a second hand of the user;
a fourth user engagement member that is coupled to the first side of the seat chassis and that is configured to engage a portion of a second arm of the user when the second hand of the user is engaging the third user engagement member.
13. The child support system of claim 7 , wherein the engagement of the first user engagement member with the first hand of the user and the engagement of the second user engagement member with the portion of the first arm of the user provides for support of the seat chassis with the first hand of the user located outside of the footprint of the seat chassis.
14. A method for supporting a carrier, comprising:
engaging, by a first hand of a user, a first user engagement member that is included on a first carrier support member that extends from a first outer side surface on a carrier base, wherein the first user engagement member is located outside of a footprint of the carrier base;
engaging, by a portion of a first arm of the user when the first hand of the user is engaging the first user engagement member, a second user engagement member that is included on a second carrier support member that extends from the carrier base from a location on the carrier base that is opposite the first outer side surface from the first carrier support member; and
lifting, by the user, the carrier base by using the first hand to provide a lifting force on the first user engagement member that is transmitted through the first carrier support member to the carrier base, wherein in response to the lifting, a support force is provided by the portion of the first arm on the second user engagement member that is transmitted through the second carrier support member to the carrier base.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
moving the first user engagement member relative to the first carrier support member between a first orientation that is substantially parallel with the outer side surface of the carrier base and a second orientation that is substantially perpendicular with the outer side surface of the carrier base.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second carrier support member extends from a second outer side surface on the carrier base that is opposite the carrier base from the first outer side surface.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second user engagement member engages a first portion of the first arm of the user, and the method further comprises:
engaging, by a second portion of the first arm of the user when the first hand of the user is engaging the first user engagement member, a third user engagement member that is included on the first carrier support member, wherein the second portion of the first arm of the user is located between the first hand of the user and the first portion of the first arm of the user.
18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
extending the second carrier support member to increase a length of the second carrier support member between the second user engagement member and the carrier base.
19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
engaging, by a second hand of the user, a third user engagement member that is included on a third carrier support member that extends from a second outer side surface on the carrier base that is located opposite the carrier base from the first outer side surface, wherein the third user engagement member is located outside of the footprint of the carrier base;
engaging, by a portion of a second arm of the user when the second hand of the user is engaging the third user engagement member, a fourth user engagement member that is included on the second carrier support member that extends from the carrier base from a location on the carrier base that is opposite the second outer side surface from the third carrier support member; and
lifting, by the user, the carrier base by using the second hand to provide a lifting force on the third user engagement member that is transmitted through the third carrier support member to the carrier base, wherein in response to the lifting, a support force is provided by the portion of the second arm on the fourth user engagement member that is transmitted through the second carrier support member to the carrier base.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the engagement of the first user engagement member with the first hand of the user and the engagement of the second user engagement member with the portion of the first arm of the user provides for the lifting and support of the carrier base with both the first hand of the user and the first arm of the user outside of the footprint of the carrier base.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/561,334 US20160157632A1 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2014-12-05 | Carrier support system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/561,334 US20160157632A1 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2014-12-05 | Carrier support system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20160157632A1 true US20160157632A1 (en) | 2016-06-09 |
Family
ID=56093113
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/561,334 Abandoned US20160157632A1 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2014-12-05 | Carrier support system |
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US (1) | US20160157632A1 (en) |
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US9498071B2 (en) * | 2015-03-26 | 2016-11-22 | Ralph Mossman | Harness system for a baby carrier |
US10946774B2 (en) | 2018-04-27 | 2021-03-16 | Spring Design, LLC | Ergonomic infant safety seat |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |