VERSATILE INFANT CARRIER

Abstract

An infant carrier which includes a shock absorbing base of a length sized to support and accommodate an infant is disclosed. The carrier has at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap permanently affixed at each terminus to termini of the shock absorbing base and a padded fabric insert.

Claims

1. An infant carrier comprising: a shock absorbing base of a length sized to support and accommodate an infant; at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap permanently affixed at each terminus to termini of said shock absorbing base; and a padded fabric insert, which padded fabric insert: is of a length sized to span the length of said angled shock absorbing base; is of a width sized to span beyond the width of said angled shock absorbing base and providing supportive sides; is comprised of supportive, shock absorbing paneling; and being affixed to said shock absorbing base.

2. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing base is comprised of a rubber material.

3. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing base is waterproof.

4. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing base is comprised of a material that is an insect repellant.

5. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing base is angled.

6. The infant carrier of claim 5 wherein said angle is 110 degrees with respect to the surface on which the shock absorbing base is placed.

7. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said padded fabric insert is a composite material having an outer surface comprised of a polymeric textile, an inner surface comprised of a soft fabric and at least one smart molecular polymeric panel incorporated between the outer and inner surfaces.

8. The infant carrier of claim 7 wherein said padded fabric insert may comprise one or more pockets for storage of desired articles.

9. The infant carrier of claim 7 wherein said padded fabric insert may comprise a retractable canopy for providing shading for an infant disposed within said carrier.

10. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap is comprised of a semi-elastic material.

11. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap is semi-rigid and remains upright unless specifically folded.

12. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap when folded provides support for the infant carrier sides.

13. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap is two straps.

14. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap is a cross-body strap.

15. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap is an over-the-shoulder strap.

16. A method of promoting secure carrying of an infant and secure positioning of an infant on a surface by a caregiver, said method comprising placing said infant in an infant carrier, which infant carrier comprises a shock absorbing base of a length sized to support and accommodate an infant; at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap permanently affixed at each terminus to termini of said shock absorbing base; and a padded fabric insert, which padded fabric insert: is of a length sized to span the length of said angled shock absorbing base; is of a width sized to span beyond the width of said angled shock absorbing base and providing supportive sides; is comprised of supportive, shock absorbing paneling; and being affixed to said shock absorbing base. wherein said infant is positioned on said padded fabric insert and optionally secured to same via safety straps, within said infant carrier while said infant carrier is placed on a given surface and said caregiver lifts said infant carrier with said infant securely located therein and secures same to said caregiver person by means of said at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap, thereby promoting secure carrying of said infant.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said method protects said infant from back or neck trauma during carrying of said infant or when said infant is not mobile.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said method protects said infant from impact with a hard surface or object, during carrying of said infant or when said infant is not mobile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Various embodiments of the infant carriers of this invention are described herein with reference to the figures wherein:

[0068] FIG. 1 depicts an embodied infant carrier 1-05 of this invention, where the shock absorbing base 1-10, sides of the insert 1-20 and composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap 1-30 are seen.

[0069] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the embodied infant carrier of FIG. 1, further depicting the connection 2-50 of the composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap 2-30 to the padded insert 2-20, where embodied supportive, shock absorbing paneling is seen 2-40.

[0070] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a top/side view of the embodied infant carrier of FIG. 1, further depicting one aspect, whereby the area supporting a head of an infant may be elevated 3-60, and the elevation may be an incline of the base or the padded insert or both. The elevation may be gradual and over a length of the base, for example, elevating 3-70 and 3-60 in a gradual incline or at two different angles of incline. The at least one composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap 3-30 may be comprised of two straps, which may be each separated and moved laterally to circumferentially support the infant carriers of this invention, for example, when the carrier is placed on a surface, as opposed to being carried.

[0071] FIG. 4 provides a side view of the elements depicted in FIG. 3.

[0072] FIG. 5 depicts positioning of an infant 5-80 in an embodied carrier 5-05 of this invention. The infant is cradled in the padded fabric insert 5-20, and is positioned, in some embodiments, on a slight incline 5-60.

[0073] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict relative positioning of positioning of an infant 7-80 in an embodied carrier 6-05; 7-05 with respect to a caregiver 6-90;7-90 and the promoting of emotional bonding between the infant and the caregiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0074] This invention provides, in some embodiments, for unique infant carriers that are characterized by being very lightweight, providing greater hands free easy transport of an infant, and providing safety to the infant placed therewithin.

[0075] Referring to the Figures, and the embodied carrier depicted therein, the carriers of this invention may comprise a shock absorbing base 1-10 of a length sized to support and accommodate an infant. The infant carrier base 1-10 is comprised of a shock absorbing material and the composite semi-elastic collapsible carrying strap 1-30, 2-30 is permanently affixed at each terminus to termini of the shock absorbing base 2-50.

[0076] The infant carriers of this invention still further comprise a padded fabric insert 2-20, which padded fabric insert is of a length sized to span the length of said angled shock absorbing base and is of a width sized to span beyond the width of said angled shock absorbing base and providing supportive sides. The insert may further comprise supportive, shock absorbing paneling. For example and in some embodiments, the supportive shock absorbing paneling is specifically incorporated within the padded insert at the sides 2-40; 3-40, and protects the infant located therewithin as described hereinabove.

[0077] The padded fabric inserts in the carriers of this invention are affixed to the shock absorbing base. In some aspects, the inserts are permanently affixed to the base, and in some aspects, the inserts are semi-permanently affixed in that when secured via a securing means they are not readily removed, however, when specifically released by the securing mechanism, the insert may be removed and for example, laundered.

[0078] As described herein, the base or the padded insert may be inclined to promote an incline for the positioning of certain parts of a body of an infant placed within a carrier of this invention. Referring to the figures, e.g. FIGS. 3 and 4, the base, insert or both may provide a gradual incline along half or most of the base/insert, or certain regions may be inclined at different angles of incline, e.g. 4-60 and 4-70 may be at different angles of incline or each part is gradually inclined along the same angle.

[0079] The infant carriers of this invention uniquely provide a safe environment for the infant to be both transported and placed in a comfortable position on the body of the caregiver/wearer, or on a solid surface in a hands-free manner. Referring to FIG. 5 the infant 5-80 can be safely and comfortably positioned within a carrier, 5-05 of this invention, being cradled in the padded fabric insert 5-20, which for example, may have a soft cotton or brushed wool or flannel or any desired interior. The interior may comprise any textile/fabric/desired material that may be patterned or contain any desired design, for example, further engaging the infant. It can be readily appreciated that toys or other educational implements may be incorporated within or attached to the inner soft padding to provide a more stimulating environment for the infant, if so desired.

[0080] As may be readily seen from the embodied depiction, the infant may be specifically inclined by the inclined base or insert 5-60, which provides an advantage in terms of preventing strangulation or choking, in addition to promoting greater engagement of the infant with his/her surroundings.

[0081] The carrier insert further incorporates sections or panels of shock-absorbing material, for example, by incorporating a smart molecular polymeric material 5-40. Such smart materials may also be incorporated within a base of the instant carrier, as well.

[0082] For added safety, in some embodiments, the infant carrier of this invention may further incorporate a safety harness 5-70, for example as depicted in FIG. 5. Any appropriate safety harness structure is envisioned and standards have already been set in the industry to address same and can be incorporated in the carriers of this invention.

[0083] The infant carriers of this invention may incorporate shock-absorbing panels of any shape, which it will be understood to be amenable to various designs and arrays. In some aspects, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 5-7, the panels may be of a desired geometric shape, for example, as depicted as triangular panels incorporated in the carrier.

[0084] It will be appreciated that any envisioned shape and pattern may be used for assembling the infant carriers of this invention, as a means of patterning shock absorbing panels or smart molecular polymeric panels of this invention, including circular, square, rectangular, diamond or any other desired shape or orientation.

[0085] Referring further to FIGS. 6 and 7, as will be appreciated, the embodied aspects of the invention provide for a relative positioning of an infant 7-80 with respect to a caregiver 6-90; 7-90 to promote emotional bonding between the infant and the caregiver, In some aspects, such relative positioning provides for close proximity and ideal focal length for interaction between infant and caregiver even at the most early of ages, and furthermore, the relative positioning provides greater physical proximity between the infant and the caregiver.

[0086] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[0087] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims.

[0088] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In case of a conflict between the specification and an incorporated reference, the specification shall control. Where number ranges are given in this document, endpoints are included within the range. Furthermore, it is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values that are expressed as ranges can assume any specific value or subrange within the stated ranges, optionally including or excluding either or both endpoints, in different embodiments of the invention, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Where a percentage is recited in reference to a value that intrinsically has units that are whole numbers, any resulting fraction may be rounded to the nearest whole number.

[0089] In the claims articles such as “a,”, “an” and “the” mean one or more than one unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. Claims or descriptions that include “or” or “and/or” between members of a group are considered satisfied if one, more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. The invention includes embodiments in which exactly one member of the group is present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process. The invention also includes embodiments in which more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention provides, in various embodiments, all variations, combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, descriptive terms, etc., from one or more of the listed claims is introduced into another claim dependent on the same base claim unless otherwise indicated or unless it would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that a contradiction or inconsistency would arise. Where elements are presented as lists, e.g. in Markush group format or the like, it is to be understood that each subgroup of the elements is also disclosed, and any element(s) can be removed from the group. It should it be understood that, in general, where the invention, or aspects of the invention, is/are referred to as comprising particular elements, features, etc., certain embodiments of the invention or aspects of the invention consist, or consist essentially of, such elements, features, etc. For purposes of simplicity those embodiments have not in every case been specifically set forth in haec verba herein. Certain claims are presented in dependent form for the sake of convenience, but Applicant reserves the right to rewrite any dependent claim in independent format to include the elements or limitations of the independent claim and any other claim(s) on which such claim depends, and such rewritten claim is to be considered equivalent in all respects to the dependent claim in whatever form it is in (either amended or unamended) prior to being rewritten in independent format.