WO2000025638A1

WO2000025638A1 - Carrying aid

Info

Publication number: WO2000025638A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/003627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair Robin Faulkner; Jacqueline Glaser
Original assignee: Kiddy Partnership Limited
Priority date: 1998-11-02
Filing date: 1999-11-02
Publication date: 2000-05-11
Also published as: CA2348905A1; GB9925952D0; GB2343104A; GB2343104A8; GB2343104B; AU1057000A

Abstract

A carrying aid, particularly an aid for carrying small children between the ages of one to four years, has a seat unit (1) and a waist belt (4) providing support for the weight of the child in the natural position that such children are typically carried, hence the carrying aid relieves the strain on the carrier's arms. Optional shoulder strap (15) can be used to transfer some or most of the child's weight to the carrier's shoulders. The cushion (3) provides additional comfort and stability to the invention. The hinged thigh-pad (2) presses up against the carrier's thigh and ensures that as the seat unit (1) tips outwards at an angle due to the child's weight, the pressure that is exerted into the thigh is evenly and comfortably spread. An optional saddle cover (13) incorporating a storage bag (14) provides additional cushioning for the child and storage space for small items.

Description

CARRYING AID

This invention relates to a carrying aid for supporting a child on the body of a human carrier

Aids to assist the carrying of small children, particularly babies, are well known and typically consist of slings or pouches with straps that transfer the weight of the child directly to the carrier's shoulders or neck, the child being carried either in front of or behind the torso of the carrier. However, for children of approximately 12 months to three years of age, these carrying aids become impractical due to the child's size and weight. Also the natural desire of the older child for alternately being carried or walking on their own make these carrying aids where the child is held firmly inside a sling or pouch unsuitable.

The natural way most adults carry small children is at waist height and to hold them underneath with one or both arms. This can be done with the child at the front, at the side or in-between. It would be of assistance to the carrier if the majority of the child's weight could be supported by a device attached to the carrier by belts or straps, hence reducing strain on the carrier's arms.

The use of a belt attachment worn at the waist to hold or support objects is well known, as is the addition of a vertical or diagonal shoulder strap to help support the weight. Such belts and straps are used by marching bands to support drums and other musical instruments. However, such attachments are not necessarily suitable to support the weight of a small child in a manner that is comfortable for both child and carrier, or is strong enough to support the weight without itself also being heavy or mechanically complex.

According to the present invention there is provided a carrying aid, for supporting a child on the body of a human carrier, comprising a rigid seat unit and a thigh pad. the thigh pad. in use. resting against the thigh of the human carrier to support the rigid seat unit, wherein the thigh pad is adjustably connected to the rigid seat unit by a hinge mechanism.

The thigh pad is adjustably connected to the rigid seat unit by a binge mechanism which allows varying degrees of movement of the thigh pad while still transferring the load into the pad and hence into the carriers thigh. This has the advantage of spreading the load evenly over an area of the thigh, independent of the degree of tilt of the seat, and also allows for movement of the thigh during walking.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge mechanism may comprise a protuberance mounted on one of the rigid seat unit and the thigh pad and an orifice mounted on the other of the rigid seat unit and the thigh pad, the orifice being adapted to receive the protuberance.

A particularly advantageous hinge mechanism has the protuberance being laterally moveable within the orifice. Another particularly advantageous hinge mechanism uses a ball joint to allow rotation and pivoting of the pad in any direction.

In another preferred embodiment a bag may be placed over the rigid seat unit. Apart from providing additional cushioning for the child and storage space for small items, the cover and storage bag obscures much of the invention's mechanism making the invention less obtrusive when being worn.

In another preferred embodiment the bag is a fabric bag having a pocket for the rigid seat unit, the thigh pad has a fabric cover, and the hinge mechanism comprises a fabric hinge joining the fabric cover to the pocket. This is particularly suitable for lighter loads, typically, though not exclusively, for infants from 6 months to 18 months old. The fabric hinge allows varying degrees of movement of the thigh pad with respect to the rigid seat unit.

In another preferred embodiment the thigh pad is mounted directly on the rigid seat unit, which means that the carrying aid may consist only of two components, the components being the rigid seat unit and the thigh pad. This has the advantages of the carrying aid being simple to manufacture and also of the carrying aid being stable when a child sitting on the seat is leaning in any direction.

Another embodiment of the invention also provides a means of attaching optional cushioning material and a further optional means of attaching a single or double shoulder strap.

The shape of the seat unit combined with the particular method of attaching the seat unit to the belt and optional shoulder strap ensures that the forces resulting from the weight of the child are efficiently transferred into the belt and strap without the need for fixing attachments that might otherwise form weak points in the system or be uncomfortable for the child or carrier. In addition, the method of holding the seat unit to the optional cushioning material ensures that the greater the forces in the belt, the more firmly the cushion is held in place providing comfort and stability. In addition, the hinged thigh-pad on the seat unit ensures that as the seat unit tips outwards at an angle due to the child's weight, the cantilever force that is exerted into the thigh is evenly and comfortably spread.

The incorporation of the optional cushioning and shoulder straps enables the invention to be adapted to assist in the carrying of a small child for longer periods or for carrying heavier children for shorter periods. It follows that the invention can therefore be used in its different configurations over a period of time to accommodate the increased size and weight of a child as it grows.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an overall view of one embodiment of the invention being worn. Figures 2, 3, 4 & 5 show each individual component of the invention. Figures 6,7 & 8 show the method of attaching the belt to the invention. Figures 9 & 10 shows the operation of the hinged thigh-pad. Figures 11 & 12 show the optional seat cover and storage bag. Figure 13 shows the optional shoulder straps.

Figures 14 &15 show the method of attaching the optional shoulder straps to the seat unit. Figure 16 shows an overall view of one embodiment of the assembled invention including the option of the seat cover, storage bag and shoulder strap.

Figure 17 shows additional embodiments of the hinging mechanism between the seat unit and thigh-pad.

Figures 18, 19, 20 & 21 show an embodiment of the invention suitable for lighter loads Figure 22 shows a further embodiment of the invention suitable for lighter loads.

Referring to Figure 2, the invention consists of a seat unit 1, a hinged arcuate thigh-pad 2, a cushion unit 3, a belt 4, a load spreading pad 5 and a belt fastening and adjusting mechanism 6.

Referring to Figures 3 & 4 being side and front views of the seat unit 1. The seat unit consists of a top 7 on which the child sits. The top 7 is typically though not exclusively saddle shaped. The top 7 is supported by a plurality of pillars, typically though not exclusively a central pillar 8 and two side pillars 9. The central pillar 8 is typically though not exclusively deeper than the side pillars 9 hence providing greater cantilever support for the depth of the saddle top. The central pillar 8 is typically though not exclusively rectangular or semi-elliptical in cross section. The side pillars 9 are typically though not exclusively semi-circular in cross section. All three pillars converge and combine together in a tapered lower section that contains the hinge 10 for the arcuate thigh-pad 2. In one particular embodiment of the invention the pillars 8 and 9 are interconnected along their vertical heights by a web 11. The web 11 has orifices 12 and 13 to facilitate threading of the belt 4.

Figure 3 shows that the three pillars are curved in the vertical plane. Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the seat unit 1 and shows that the central pillar 8 and side pillars 9 together with the web 11 lie on a curved line in the horizontal plane.

In one particular embodiment of the invention the components of the seat unit 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, can be separate, but firmly attached to each other through the use of adhesives or fixings. Another embodiment of the invention combines these components in a single moulded or machined item. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a soft layer of foam rubber or foam plastic or some such similar material (not shown on the figures) on the saddle top 7 to give increased comfort for the child.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the threading arrangement for the seat unit 1, cushioning pad 3 and the belt 4. Figure 7 shows a horizontal sectional view of the threading arrangement. The relative positioning of the central pillar 8, the side pillars 9 and the openings in the cushion unit, results in a highly efficient transfer of forces between the seat unit, cushion and belt. The greater the lateral force on the seat in direction of arrow F, the greater the tension in the belt and hence the greater the force keeping the seat unit in contact with the cushion. This threading arrangement ensures that the seat unit does not slip laterally on the belt. Figure 8 shows a side view of the threading arrangement including a cut-away section showing the cushioning pad 3 supporting an overhanging section of the saddle 7. This feature ensures that the seat unit 1 does not slip vertically on the belt.

Figures 9 and 10 show the operation of the curved pillars and the hinged thigh-pad. The pillars 8 and 9 form curves in both vertical and horizontal planes following the contours of a typical hip and thigh, combined with the arcuate and hinged thigh-pad this ensures that the invention will comfortably fit and operate effectively on most sizes and shapes of adults. Figure 10 shows that the weight of the child acting in direction W tends to tip the seat unit outwards. This tipping is resisted by the tension in the belt T, but results in a cantilever force F pushing into the thigh. The arcuate hinged pad ensures that this force is spread over a large area independent of the degree of tip of the seat unit.

Figure 11 shows an optional seat cover 30 incorporating a storage bag 14. Figure 12 shows this cover and storage bag fitted to the invention. Apart from providing additional cushioning for the child and storage space for small items, the cover and storage bag obscures much of the invention's mechanism making the invention less obtrusive when being worn.

Figure 13 shows two versions of an optional shoulder strap, a single shoulder strap 15 and a double shoulder strap 16. The double shoulder strap 16 passes through two rectangular rings 17. The double shoulder strap 16 can move freely through these rings and this ensures that equal forces are exerted on each shoulder of the user.

Figures 14 and 15 show the arrangement for securing the optional shoulder straps 15 or 18 to the seat unit 1. The strap 15 or 18 passes through openings 13 in web 11 (shown in Figure 4) round and under the central pillar 8, twisting in the process such that the width of the strap starts off flat against the back of the saddle 7 on one side, is again flat against the angled front of the central pillar 8 and is flat once more against the saddle 7 on the other side. Hence there is even tension in the whole width of the strap. This arrangement also ensures that the main weight of the child is transferred directly through the load bearing central pillar 8 and into the strap 15 or 18 without the need for attachment points.

Figure 16 shows the completed assembly including the options of a seat cover 30, storage bag 14 and shoulder strap 15.

Conventional means for adjusting the lengths of the belt and shoulder straps using buckles, clips or friction rings are employed but do not form part of this invention.

Figure 17 shows several embodiments of the hinge mechanism that attaches the thigh-pad 2 to the seat unit 1. These embodiments are in addition to the conventional butt-hinge that could be employed. In one embodiment a cylindrical protuberance 19 on the back of the pad 2 mates with a cylindrical orifice 20 on the seat unit 1. In a second embodiment a similar cylindrical protuberance 21, but having a shorter length, mates with the cylindrical orifice 20, thus providing a degree of lateral movement allowing the pad to slide backwards and forwards in relation to the seat unit 1 and hence allows for movement of the thigh during walking. A third embodiment consists of a ball joint 22 and 23 allowing rotation and pivoting of the pad 2 in any direction. Yet another embodiment can consist of the ball protuberance 22 mating with the cylindrical orifice 20, hence allowing lateral movement of the pad in addition to rotation and pivoting. These embodiments therefore allow varying degrees of movement of the thigh-pad while still transferring the force into the pad and hence the carrier's thigh.

Figure 18 shows an embodiment of the invention suitable for lighter loads, typically, though not exclusively, for infants from 6 months to 18 months old. It consists of a seat unit covered by a fabric bag 24 attached to a belt 4. The lower extremity of the fabric bag 24 is attached to a fabric cover on thigh pad 27 by a hinge mechanism. This embodiment will now be described in detail.

Figure 19 shows the seat unit 26 and thigh-pad 27. These are typically, though not exclusively made from plastic. The seat unit can be attached to the belt by the threading technique outlined in the previously described embodiment, or alternatively the fabric covering the seat unit can be stitched directly to the belt 4 by conventional means. Figure 20 shows a cross section through the fabric bag 24 , seat unit 26, thigh-pad 27 and fabric cover 29. and shows how the seat unit 26 fits inside a pocket 25 in the fabric bag. The weight of the infant is transferred down the seat unit 26, into the pocket 25. Tension in the material of the bag then transfers the force back up into the belt 4.

Figure 21 shows an enlarged view of the cross section through the pocket 25. seat unit 26. thigh-pad 27 and fabric cover 29. The hinge mechanism 28 keeps the thigh-pad in position and allows it to pivot. This hinge mechanism consists of a piece of fabric stitched to both the pocket 25 and the fabric cover 29 of the thigh-pad.

Figure 22 shows a section through a further embodiment of the fabric hinge mechanism in which the thigh-pad is contained in a pocket 31 incorporated into the rear of the fabric bag 32. When the fabric bag is in use all forces are compressional in both the vertical and horizontal planes, hence the seat unit 26 and the thigh-pad 27 remain firmly inside their respective pockets 33 and 31. The large opening in the thigh-pad pocket 31 at its base enables the thigh-pad to be inserted into the pocket via the inside of the bag, hence the plastic and fabric items can be manufactured independently then assembled.

Claims

1. A carrying aid, for supporting a child on the body of a human carrier, comprising a rigid seat unit and a thigh pad, the thigh pad, in use, resting against the thigh of the human carrier to support the seat unit, wherein the thigh pad is adjustably connected to the rigid seat unit by a hinge mechanism.

2. A carrying aid according to claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a protuberance mounted on one of the rigid seat unit and the thigh pad and an orifice mounted on the other of the rigid seat unit and the thigh pad, the orifice being adapted to receive the protuberance.

3. A carrying aid according to claim 2, wherein both the protuberance and the orifice are substantially cylindrical.

4. A carrying aid according to claim 2, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a ball protuberance and a substantially cylindrical orifice.

5. A carrying aid according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protuberance is laterally moveable within the orifice.

6. A carrying aid according to claim 2, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a ball joint.

7. A carrying aid according to claim 1, wherein a bag or a flexible cover incorporating a bag is placed over the seat unit.

8. A carrying aid according to claim 6 , wherein the bag is a fabric bag having a pocket for the rigid seat unit, the thigh pad has a fabric cover, and the hinge mechanism comprises a fabric hinge joining the fabric cover to the pocket.

9. A carrying aid according to claim 7 , wherein the bag is integrally formed with the fabric cover and the fabric hinge.

10. A carrying aid according to claim 1, wherein the rigid seat unit has two spaced orifices such that a belt worn at the waist can be threaded alternately in a direction towards and away from the body of the human carrier.

11. A carrying aid according to claim 8, wherein a cushioning unit having at least two orifices is held in contact with the rigid seat unit by threading the belt through these orifices, together with the orifices of the rigid seat unit, alternately in a direction towards and away from the body of the human carrier.

12. A carrying aid according to claim 1, wherein the rigid seat unit is unitarily moulded.

13. A carrying aid according to claim 1, wherein the rigid seat unit has a saddle shaped top.