WO2004006729A1

WO2004006729A1 - Carrier device for a baby

Info

Publication number: WO2004006729A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/001174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kristina Kotchev
Original assignee: Antonika Design Ab
Priority date: 2002-07-17
Filing date: 2003-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: SE523029C2; SE0202236D0; AU2003251256A1; SE0202236L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carrier device for a baby, said carrier device comprising a carrier unit (1; 101) for carrying a baby and means (9) for supporting the carrier unit (1; 101) on a carrier of the carrier device. The carrier device is especially designed to be used when an adult and a baby are taking a shower together. It is significant of the present invention that the means (9) for supporting the carrier unit (1; 101) comprises two, generally curved, portions (12) that are intended to abut the shoulders of the person that supports the carrier device, and that the curved portions (12) are stables regarding their shape. The curved portions (12) are, at one end, connected to the carrier unit (1; 101) and, in the area of their ends that faces away from the carrier unit (1; 101), mutually connected by means of a connection portion (13) that generally is stable regarding its shape.

Description

CARRIER DEVICE

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier device for a baby, said carrier device comprising a carrier unit for carrying a baby and means for supporting the carrier unit on a carrier of the carrier device, said means for supporting the carrier unit comprising two, generally curved, portions that are intended to abut the shoulders of the person that supports the carrier device, and that the curved portions are connected to the carrier unit. The carrier device is especially intended to be used as a carrier device for a baby when an adult and a baby are taking a shower together.

Prior Art

From each of US-A-5, 222, 641 and US-A-5, 509, 590 a carrier device is previously known said carrier device comprising a carrier unit in the shape of a seat and two generally stiff J-shaped elements that are connected to the carrier unit and intended to be hung on the shoulders of the carrier. A baby that is supported by the seat faces away from the carrier.

From FR-A-2 806 278 a carrier device is previously known, said carrier device having a carrier unit of cloth or the like. In order to support the carrier unit on a carrier straps and slings are used, said straps and slings extending over the shoulders of the carrier. On the back of the carrier the straps/slings are mutually united and connected to a waist belt. The straps/slings do not possess any inherent stiffness, which makes the connection by the waist belt necessary.

From US-A-4, 903, 873 a carrier device is previously known, said carrier device being intended to be used in an aqueous environment. The carrier devi e comprises a net pouch that is equipped with a belt at its open end. The carrier device also comprises straps extending around the shoulders and waist of the carrier. Thus, it is relatively complicated to manage the straps in connection with the putting on of the carrier device. There is no possibility to adjust the distance between the baby and the carrier and the net pouch does not give any support to the head of the baby.

Objects and Features of the Invention A primary object of the present invention is to disclose a carrier device that is extremely simple to put on and to take off.

A further object of the present invention is the ability to adjust the distance between the carrier unit and the carrier.

Still an object in connection with a preferred embodiment of the carrier device according to the present invention is the suitability to be used in wet environments.

At least the primary object of the present invention is realised by means of a carrier device that has been given the features of the appending independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below embodiments of the invention will be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, where: Fig 1 shows a perspective side view of a carrier device according to the present invention; Fig 2 shows a side view of the carrier device according to

Fig 1; Fig 3 shows a view from the exterior of the carrier unit that is part of the carrier device; Fig 4 shows a view of the side of the carrier device that faces towards the carrier;

Fig 5 shows how the carrier device according to the present invention is disposed on a carrier, the back of the carrier being viewed; and Fig 6 shows a perspective side view of a carrier device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The carrier device according to the present invention, shown in figures 1-4, comprises a carrier unit 1 that comprises a shell 2 that is stable as regards its shape, said shell 2 being of a rigid plastic/non-rigid plastic, and a skeleton 4 that generally has a "tree"- configuration, i.e. the skeleton 4 ramifies on the external side of the shell 2. Thereby, the skeleton 4 implies a rigidity to the shell 2 since the skeleton generally is manufactured from a more rigid material (plastic) while the shell 2 generally is manufactured from a softer material (plastic) .

The carrier unit 1 is generally curving and an internal space is created in the shell 2, said space constituting a seat for the baby. In order to illustrate the shape of the carrier unit 1 it may be compared to half an egg shell.

When a baby is placed in the shell 2 the seat of the baby will in principle rest against a lower internal portion 3 of the shell 2 while the back of the baby joins an intermediate internal portion 5 of the shell 2 and the head of the baby rests against an upper internal portion 7 of the shell 2. The transition between these portions 3, 5 and 7 is floating and of course it depends on the age of the baby as regards how the different portions of the shell 2 cooperate with the body of the baby. The description above of the function of the different portions of the shell 2 should therefore be regarded as an example only.

The carrier device according to the present invention also comprises means for the carrier unit 1 to be supported by a person, said means constituting a yoke 9 that consists of a generally strap shaped material that is stable as regards its shape. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose a rigid plastic or a composite may be mentioned. In this connection, i.e. as regards the carrier unit 1 and the yoke 9, the expression "stable as regards its shape" means a certain feature of the material in question, said feature being that the material is flexible but resumes its original shape when it is unloaded. The yoke 9 generally comprises two free ends 10 that are angled relative to two elongated, generally parallel, portions

11 that are transferred into two curved portions 12, seen parallel to the main plane of the portions 12, said portions

12 generally being parallel and connected by a transverse connecting portion 13 at the ends of the curved portions 12 that faces away from the portions 11. In the shown embodiment the connecting portion 13 is generally arched, seen in the direction perpendicular to the main plane of the connecting portion 13. In the shown embodiment the free ends 10 of the yoke 9 are loosely attached to a lower portion of the carrying unit 1, said attachment may be effected in several ways. In this connection it is important that the attachment between the yoke 9 and the carrier unit 1 is adjustable, i.e. that the attachment points between the carrier unit 1 and the elongated portions 11 may be displaced along the elongated portions 11 to adjust to the length of the carrier. For that reason the attachment between the carrier unit 1 and the free ends 10 of the yoke 9 may for instance be effected by some kind of buckles (not shown) , whereby a stepless blocking between a buckle and an adherent free end 10 may be effected.

The yoke 9 is also connected to the carrier unit 1 via connecting means in the shape of two ropes 14 having one of their ends fixedly connected to the elongated portions 11 of the yoke 9. The other ends of the ropes 14 are received in adjusting means 15 that are integral with the carrier unit 1 in the shown embodiment. These adjusting means 15 functions in such a way that the ropes 14 are wound up on pulleys or the like inside the adjusting means 15, said ropes 14 may be locked in an arbitrary position inside the adjusting means 15. This means that the length of the part of the ropes 14 that is located between the elongated portions 11 and the adjusting means 15 can be varied. In order to detach the ropes 14 a button 16 of each adjusting means 15 is activated. When the rope 14 is detached the carrier of the carrier device according to the present invention may displace the carrier unit 1 in a direction away from the carrier and the rope 14 is fed out of the adjusting means 15. Alternatively, the carrier may pull the carrier unit 1 in a direction towards the carrier and the rope 14 is wound up on the spring loaded pulley inside the adjusting means 15. When a desired position of the carrier unit 1 has been achieved the carrier releases the button 16 and the rope 14 is locked. In the shown embodiment the carrier device according to the present invention also comprises a waist belt 20 that extends between the elongated portions 11 of the yoke 9. The waist belt 20 also comprises a buckle 21 for adjustment to the waist-measurement of the carrier.

In figure 5 it is schematically shown how the carrier device according to the present invention is supported by a carrier, the back of the carrier being viewed. In order to put on the carrier device according to the present invention it is suitable that the carrier grips the carrier unit 1 of the carrier device and passes the yoke 9 over his/her head. The arched portions 12 of the yoke 9 will then abut the shoulders of the carrier while the transverse connecting portion 13 will contact the area between the shoulder blades of the carrier. In this connection it should be pointed out that the yoke 9 has a certain inherent elasticity which makes the connecting portion 13 to abut against the carrier by a certain pressure, this implying a feeling of security to the carrier. This is also a carrying position that is preferred from an ergonomic point of view since the horizontal forces that acts upon the carrier are present between the shoulder blades and not in the area of the neck, which is normal by known carrier devices.

When the carrier has put on the carrier device according to the present invention and the carrier device has assumed the position shown in figure 5 it is suitable for the carrier to activate the waist belt 20, said belt 20 being tightened around the waist as is shown in figure 5. The carrier device according to the present invention is then ready to be used and the carrier puts a baby in the carrier unit 1. In connection with doing so it is suitable to prolong the ropes 14 in order to increase the distance between the carrier and the upper portion of the carrier unit 1. When the ropes 14 are prolonged the carrier unit 1 will in principle pivot - around its attachment to the free ends 10 of the yoke 9.

Since the distance between the carrier and the upper portion of the carrier unit 1 increases the entering of a baby in the carrier unit 1 is facilitated. The carrier device that is shown in figures 1-4 is preferably intended to be used as a carrier device in a shower, the possibility to adjust the lengths of the ropes 14 being an extremely important feature. Thereby, it is possible that the distance between the baby and the carrier may be regulated and an adoption to the size/age of the baby may also be effected. This possibility to regulate enables both the baby and the carrier to carry out the personal hygiene. It has also been proved to be more hygienic to take a shower than to take a bath. In this connection it should also be mentioned that since it is the question of a carrier device in a shower it is in principle necessary that the components of the carrier device are manufactured from a water resistant material . The alternative embodiment of a carrier device according to the present invention that is shown in figure 6 differs in principle from the carrier device described above by being void of a waist belt. The carrier unit 101 of the carrier device according to figure 6 has a shell 102 and a skeleton 104 in the corresponding way as the carrier unit 1 according to figures 1-5. The carrier unit 101 is at the top equipped with a handle in the shape of an opening 106 in the shell 102. Thereby, the handling of the carrier device is simplified.

The yoke 9 of the carrier device according to figure 6 has a design that generally corresponds to the yoke 9 of the embodiment described above according to figures 1-5. For this reason the same reference numerals are used for both embodiments as regards the yoke 9 and its portions.

Between the yoke 9 and the carrier unit 101 the connecting means extend in the shape of two straps 114 that corresponds to the ropes 14 in the embodiment described above. These straps 114 cooperate with adjusting means 115 that are arranged on the external side of the shell 102. As is evident from figure 6 the straps 114 are received inside the adjusting means 115 that has a locking function relative to the adherent strap 114. This locking function may for instance consists of clamping blocks inside the adjusting means 115, said clamping blocks affecting the strap 114. The clamping blocks are activated manually by means that are located on the side of the adjusting means 115 that is not visible in figure 6. The straps 114 are preferably designed from a plastic material and has a sufficient stiffness to function in the intended way. Both when the carrier unit 101 is distanced from the yoke 9 and when it approaches the yoke 9 there is a relative displacement between the adjusting means 115 and the adherent strap 114, the locking function of the adjusting means 115 being inactivated in this phase. Especially when the carrier unit 101 is approaching the yoke 9 it is important that the straps 114 are fed into the adherent adjusting means 115 and not bent sidewards.

Feasible Modifications of the Invention

The embodiments of the invention described above refer to a carrier device for wet environments, i.e. a carrier device that is used when an adult and a baby are taking a shower together. However, the principle of the present invention, especially the design of the yoke 9, may also be applied for other types of carrier devices for babies. In such a case the carrier unit should have a somewhat different design. For example, it is not necessary that the carrier unit is stable as to its shape but it may be manufactured from a cloth or like. In such a case the carrier unit is more in the shape of a bag. In the embodiments described above the lengths of the ropes 14/straps 114 are adjustable. However, within the scope of the present invention it is feasible, especially as regards the more conventional carrier device, that the connecting means between the elongated portions of the yoke 9 and the upper portion of the carrier unit 1; 101 are fixed, i.e. the connecting means are not adjustable as regards their length.

In the embodiments described above the carrier unit 1; 101 comprises a shell 2; 102 and a skeleton 4; 104. However, within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that the shell is designed from a material that is self-supporting, i.e. there is no need for a skeleton.

In the embodiment described above the carrier unit 1 is void of means for securing the baby. However, within the scope of the present invention it is feasible that the carrier unit 1 is equipped with a separate " safety belt" or the like, by which the baby is secured in the carrier unit 1.

Claims

1. Carrier device for a baby, said carrier device comprising a carrier unit (1; 101) for carrying a baby and means (9) for supporting the carrier unit (1; 101) on a carrier of the carrier device, said means for supporting the carrier unit (1; 101) comprising two, generally curved, portions (12) that are intended to abut the shoulders of the person that supports the carrier device, and that the curved portions (12) are connected to the carrier unit (1; 101) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the curved portions (12) are stable as regards their shape, that they are mutually connected in the area of their ends that faces away from the carrier unit (1), and that they are connected by means of a connecting portion (13) that generally is stable as regards its shape.

2. Carrier device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the means for supporting the carrier unit (1; 101) constitutes a yoke (9) of a rigid plastic/composite .

3. Carrier device according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each of the curved portions (12) is connected to one of two elongated portions (11) of the means for supporting the carrier unit (1; 101), said connection being in the area of the ends of the curved portions (12) that faces towards the carrier unit (1; 101), and that the elongated portions (11) have free ends (10) facing away from the curved portions (12), said free ends (10) being connected to the carrier unit (1, 101) .

4. Carrier device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the elongated portions (11) are stable as regards their shape.

5. Carrier device according to claim 3 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the elongated portions (11) are connected to the carrier unit (1; 101) by means of connecting means (14; 114) .

6. Carrier device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the connecting means constitute ropes (14) having an adjustable length.

7. Carrier device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the connecting means constitute straps (114) having an adjustable length.

8. Carrier device according to any of the claims 3-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a waist belt (20) extends between the elongated portions (11) .

9. Carrier device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier unit (1; 101) generally constitutes a curving shell (2; 102) of rigid plastic/non-rigid plastic.

10. Carrier device according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the curving shell (2; 102) generally is in the shape of half an egg shell.