WO2003000095A1

WO2003000095A1 - Novel ventral baby carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2003000095A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/001611
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evelyne Jamet
Original assignee: Plasti Temple
Priority date: 2001-05-15
Filing date: 2002-05-14
Publication date: 2003-01-03
Also published as: FR2824715B1; FR2824715A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a ventral baby carrier (1), comprising a backrest (2), a seat (3) and carrying means (14, 15). Said baby carrier is characterised in that at least a part of the backrest (2) of the baby carrier is made from a shell of semi-rigid material, for adaptation to the anatomical contours of the child, said shell comprising elastic support zones (4, 5) in the form of concentric raised sections (6A, 6B), arranged in a semi-circular form (6A), for the base of the back and the bottom, and in an annular form (6B), for the head and neck. Said raised sections (6A, 6B) are stepped such as to form a support cavity, each cavity extends to each side of the axis of symmetry of the baby carrier with straps (7) for placing around the body of the child.

Description

Baby carrier of a new type

The present invention relates to a baby carrier capable of following the changes in size and volume of the child from infancy to around six months, this baby carrier generally comprising a backrest, a seat and carrying means .

Baby carriers, in particular of the basket type, of the aforementioned type, are well known to those versed in this art. Until now, baby carriers have generally been made of a flexible material constituting the backrest or the backrest + seat assembly. The inside of the backrest is perfectly flat so that the child's head is not held. This results in rapid fatigue and discomfort for one child who can not remain for a long time in such a baby carrier.

Recently have also appeared on the market baby carriers made of a shell of a rigid material in which the location of the head and the neck on the one hand, the lower back and the buttocks of the child on the other hand, are materialized by simple bowls. Such a baby carrier is unable to adapt to changes in size and volume of the child so that the head of

1 child of the first age is absolutely not held inside the bowl too large, while conversely, the head of a six month old child enters with difficulty in the same bowl. The design of this baby carrier would therefore require, for the latter to be perfectly adapted to the morphology of the child, to multiply the models due to the rapid growth of the child between zero and six months. It is however inconceivable that the parents invest in six baby carriers of different dimensions so that, with each morphological evolution of the child, the baby carrier is well adapted.

An object of the present invention is to provide a baby carrier of a new type whose design makes it possible to adapt perfectly to the child regardless of the child's height or weight curves between zero and about six. months.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby carrier whose design allows perfect support of the child, including at the dorsal area for the little ones.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a naturally insulating baby carrier whose design allows the child to feel comfortable while still allowing good air circulation between the child's body and the carrier. baby.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light baby carrier, easy to put on and take off and easy to maintain.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a ventral baby carrier capable of following the changes in size and volume of the child from infancy to around six months, this baby carrier generally comprising a file, a seated and carrying means, characterized in that at least the back part of the baby carrier consists of a shell of semi-rigid material to adapt to the anatomical contours of the child, this shell of the part forming the back comprising elastic retention zones, in particular at the level of the back and the buttocks and at the level of the head and the nape of the neck, these zones being in the form of a portion of concentric beads in hemicycle arrangement for the lower back and the buttocks, in an annular arrangement for the head and the nape of the neck, these beads being stepped to each time form a retaining cavity, each cavity being extended on either side of the axis of symmetry of the baby carrier with legs capable of '' be brought together around the child's body to adjust the beaded areas and obtain a wrap adjusted to the shape and volume of the baby's body.

Thanks to the design of the part of the backrest of the baby carrier in the form of a shell provided in the essential areas for retaining layers of beads to each time form a holding cavity, the child is perfectly held whatever its age and morphology.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic flat view of a baby carrier according to one invention;

FIG. 2 represents a schematic flat view of a baby carrier in which the volumes of the elastic holding zones have been represented;

FIG. 3 represents a partial schematic view of a baby carrier according to the invention in the position for carrying the latter and FIG. 4 represents a sectional view of the baby carrier of FIG. 2.

The baby carrier 1, object of the invention, generally comprises a backrest 2, a seat 3 and carrying means shown in 14 and 15 in the figures. These carrying means essentially consist of a harness 15 in the form of two straps connected in the back of the wearer by a loop. This harness is also equipped with a lap belt carrying a fastener on which the seat 3 is fixed by means of a hook (not shown) positioned on the seat. The realization of the harness 15 in independent form relative to the backrest 2 and to the seat 3 of the baby carrier 1 facilitates the positioning of the latter. The harness is put like a jacket. The baby carrier 1 can then be fixed generally at three points on the harness, the baby having been previously installed in the baby carrier 1. These carrying means will not be described in more detail because they are not characteristic of the invention.

The backrest 2 and the seat 3 of the baby carrier 1 can for their part be produced in the form of two differentiated parts or in the form of a single part. Preferably, the backrest 2 and the seat 3 are made in one piece as illustrated in the figures.

At least the back part 2 of the baby carrier consists of a shell of semi-rigid material to adapt to the anatomical contours of the child. This shell of the part forming the backrest comprises, as illustrated in the figures, zones 4, 5 of elastic support situated at the level of the back and the buttocks for zone 5 and at the level of the head and the nape for zone 4 These zones 4, 5 are in the form of a portion of concentric beads 6A, 6B in hemicycle arrangement 6A for the lower back and buttocks, in annular arrangement 6B for the head. and the nape of the neck. These beads 6A, 6B are stepped to each time form a holding cavity as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. Each cavity is further extended, on either side of the axis of symmetry XX 'of the baby carrier , legs 7A, 7B capable of being brought together around the child's body to adjust the zones 4, 5 with beads and obtain a wrap adjusted to the shape and volume of the baby's body. This perfect adaptation is notably obtained by the fact that the baby carrier 1 comprises, between the beads 6A, 6B, a line 13 of weaker resistance favoring the shaping of the zones, 5 for elastic support around the anatomical contours of the child.

Each holding zone 4, 5 is more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, in the head zone 5, the beads 6B consist of portions of beads respectively concentric with a center C1, C2 of circles of different radius. The centers C1, C2 of a circle are aligned along a parallel line, generally coincident, with the axis XX 'of symmetry of the baby carrier. The larger circle is located at the top of the annular holding zone 5. Zone 4, in a hemicycle arrangement, for holding the lower back and buttocks consists of portions of beads 6A respectively concentric with a center C3 of a circle. It should be noted that the centers C1, C2, C3 are aligned on a straight line generally confused with the 'axis XX' of symmetry of the baby carrier. The centers C1, C2 of the annular zone for holding the head and the neck are spaced from each other by a distance comprised in the range [3 - 7] cm, preferably close to 5 cm. This spacing thus makes it possible to adapt to the dimensional variations of the head and the nape of the children between zero and six months, the beads 6B located in the lower zone being more particularly requested for infants while the beads 6B located in the upper part of the annular zone 5 are solicited when the child reaches about six month. The center C2 of circles located in the lower part of the annular zone for holding the head and the nape of the neck is moved away from the center C3 of the circle located in the area in the hemicycle arrangement for holding the lower back and buttocks d 'a distance in the range [22 -

28] cm, preferably around 25 cm. Again, these dimensions allow perfect positioning of the child between zero and six months, the lower back and the upper buttocks being always maintained so as to be substantially centered relative to C3. The beads 6A, 6B present in each of the zones 4, 5 for elastic retention thus ensure perfect wedging of the child whatever his morphology.

To complete the support, the baby carrier 1 also comprises at least one additional zone 8 for back support between zone 4 of the back and zone 5 of the head. This additional back support zone 8 is formed of a plurality of beads 9 in arrangement parallel to the axis XX 'of symmetry of the baby carrier. It is noted that, again, between the beads, a line 13 of lower resistance makes it possible to promote the shaping of the zone.

The backrest 2 is also extended by a seat 3 in the form of a bridge. The inner face of the seat 3 is provided with beads 10 arranged perpendicular to the axis XX 'of symmetry of the baby carrier. This results in a perfect folding of the seat 3 to come to be positioned between the legs of the child and wrap the belly of the child. The seat 3 is further extended by a lap belt 11, the ends of which are connected in an adjustable manner to the lateral tabs 7 of the backrest 2. In the examples shown, the lap belt 11 is fixed to the lateral tabs 7A, after the flap of these last, by means of fasteners made up of snaps. These legs 7A are provided with straps 14, themselves provided at their ends with hooks intended to cooperate with the harness 15. The holding zone 5 elastic of the head and the neck is also extended by tabs 7B capable of being folded back on themselves to form a housing inside which the strap 14, fixed at one end to the tabs 7A arranged in the extension of the zone 4 holding the lower back and buttocks, can be slidably to protrude beyond the latter and cooperate with the harness 15. This results in perfect support of the child. It should be noted that the tabs 7B arranged in the extension of the zone 5 for elastic retention of the head and the nape of the neck are kept in the folded position again by fastening members consisting of snaps.

To perfect the comfort of the child, the contours of the head, arms and legs of the baby carrier 1 are provided with a protective bead 12 so as not to generate any discomfort by friction of the child on the walls of the baby carrier 1 in the worn position.

The rear face of the backrest 2 of the baby carrier 1, for its part, at the level of the lower back and the buttocks and at the level of the head and the neck, each time, a bulge (not shown) free of roughness cooperating in strengthening the holding zones 4, 5.

This conformation of the zones 4, 5 for holding both on their inner and outer parts is facilitated when the backrest 2 and the seat 3 of the baby carrier 1 consist of a shell of semi-rigid material, this shell being obtained from a multi-layered flat blank shaped by thermocompression and cut. Thus, preferably, the multi-layer flat blank is formed from at least three layers, the intermediate layer being a thermo-compressible material, such as a polyethylene foam, to obtain variable shapes and volumes adapted to the functionality of each holding zone 4, 5. This layer is coated with exterior and interior facings such as woven fabrics contributing to the comfort of the child.

The use of a complex of the aforementioned type for the production of the shell makes it possible to obtain an extremely light and naturally insulating baby carrier so as to maintain the temperature of the baby's body. Such a shell is machine washable and dries very quickly since the foam does not retain water. Despite everything, it gives the baby carrier a semi-rigidity which ensures good support of the back and head without compromising the comfort of the child. The arrangement in concentric beads in the sensitive areas of the baby carrier allows exclusive adaptability for each baby. These beads absorb the tensions created by the pendulum movement of the step and ensure good support for children regardless of their age. The beads and the inter-bead zones allow good circulation of the ir between the child's body and the walls of the baby carrier. The result is an extremely comfortable baby carrier that adapts perfectly to any child between one and around six months.

Claims

1. Baby carrier (1) able to follow the changes in size and volume of the child from infancy to around six months, this baby carrier (1) generally comprising a backrest (2), a seat (3) and carrying means (14, 15), characterized in that at least the back part (2) of the baby carrier consists of a shell of semi-rigid material to adapt to the anatomical contours of the child, this shell of the part forming the backrest comprising zones (4, 5) of elastic support, in particular at the level of the back and the buttocks and at the level of the head and the nape, these zones (4, 5 ) in the form of a portion of concentric beads (6A, 6B) in hemicycle arrangement (6A) for the lower back and buttocks, in annular arrangement (6B) for the head and nape, these portions of beads ( 6A, 6B) being stepped in each case to form a holding cavity, each cavity being extended on either side by 1 a xe (X *) of symmetry of the baby carrier (1) of legs (7A, 7B) capable of being brought together around the child's body to adjust the zones (4, 5) with beads and obtain a wrapping adjusted to the shape and volume of the baby's body.

2. Baby carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one zone (8) complementary dorsal support between zone (4) of back and zone (5) of head formed by a plurality beads (9) arranged parallel to the axis (XX ¹ ) of symmetry of the baby carrier (1).

3. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the backrest (2) is extended by a seat (3) in the form of a bridge, the inner face of the seat (3 ) being provided with beads (10) arranged perpendicular to the axis (XX ') of symmetry of the baby carrier.

4. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the seat (3) is extended by a ventral belt (11) whose ends are connected in an adjustable manner to the legs ( 7A) lateral of the backrest (2).

5. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the head, arm and leg contours of the baby carrier (1) are provided with a protective bead (12).

6. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rear face of the backrest (2) of the baby carrier (1) comprises at the level of the lower back and the buttocks and at the level of the head and the neck, each time, a bulge free of roughness cooperating in the reinforcement of the zones (4, 5) of maintenance.

7. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the baby carrier (1) comprises, between the beads (6A, 6B), a line (13) of lower resistance favoring the shaping of the elastic holding zones (4, 5) around the anatomical contours of the child.

8. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the backrest (2) and the seat (3) of the baby carrier (1) consist of a shell of semi material rigid, this shell being obtained from a multi-layered flat blank shaped by thermocompression and cut.

9. Baby carrier (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the multi-layered flat blank is formed from at least three layers, the intermediate layer being a thermo-compressible material to obtain variable shapes and volumes adapted to the functionality of each holding zone (4, 5), this layer being coated with exterior and interior facings such as woven fabrics.

10. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the head area (5), the beads (6B) consist of portions of beads respectively concentric with a center (Cl, C2) of circles of different radius, the centers (C1, C2) of circle being aligned along a straight line parallel to the axis (XX ') of symmetry of the baby carrier, the circle of larger dimension being located at the upper part of the annular holding zone (5).

11. Baby carrier (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the centers (Cl, C2) of the annular zone (5) for holding the head and the neck are spaced from one another d 'a distance in the range [3 - 7] cm, preferably close to 5 cm.

12. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the zone (4) in hemicycle arrangement for holding the lower back and buttocks is made up of portions of beads (6A) respectively concentric to a center (C3) of a circle.

13. Baby carrier (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the center (C2) of circles located in the lower part of the annular zone (5) for holding the head and the nape of the neck is moved away from the center (C3) of circles located in the hemicycle arrangement area for holding the lower back and buttocks by a distance comprised in the range [22 - 28] cm, preferably close to 25 cm.