Universal Baby Carrier

Abstract

A baby carrier is disclosed comprising: a main body portion having an upper portion and a lower portion; a lumbar support portion attached to the lower side of the main body portion wherein the lumbar support portion is further comprised of a lumbar strap for securing around a wearer's hip; a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder attached to the upper portion of the main body portion; a neck support portion attached to the upper portion of the main body portion wherein the neck supporting portion is further comprised of a protective hood; a first buckle and a second buckle attached to the upper portion of the main body portion; wherein the main body portion forms a bucket to carry baby when the first shoulder strap is strapped around the shoulder of the wearer to the first buckle and the second shoulder strap is strapped around the shoulder of the wearer to the second buckle and where the lumbar strap is secured to the waist of the wearer.

Claims

1. A baby carrier comprising: a. a main body portion having an upper portion and a lower portion; b. a lumbar support portion attached to said lower side of said main body portion wherein said lumbar support portion is further comprised of a lumbar strap for securing around a wearer's hip; c. a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder attached to said upper portion of said main body portion; d. a neck support portion attached to said upper portion of said main body portion wherein said neck supporting portion is further comprised of a protective hood; e. a first buckle and a second buckle attached to said upper portion of said main body portion; f. wherein said main body portion forms a bucket to carry baby when said first shoulder strap is strapped around the shoulder of said wearer to said first buckle and said second shoulder strap is strapped around the shoulder of said wearer to said second buckle and where said lumbar strap is secured to said waist of said wearer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first shoulder strap is comprised of a first portion of a safety harness and said second shoulder strap is comprised of a second portion of a safety harness wherein said first portion of safety harness is connected to said second portion of said safety harness to prevent said first should strap and said second shoulder strap from failing off said wearer's shoulder.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first shoulder strap is comprised of a first rail wherein said first portion of said safety harness is comprised of a first adjustable clip wherein said first adjustable clip is comprised of a first groove wherein said first groove is engaged to said first rail and said second shoulder strap is comprised of a second rail wherein said second portion of said safety harness is comprised of a second adjustable clip wherein said second adjustable clip is comprised of a second groove wherein said second groove is engaged to second rail wherein said first and second portion of said safety harness are able to slide along the axial length of the first and second should straps.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lower portion of said main body portion is comprised of a left flap and a right flap wherein said left flap is comprised of a upper part of a first popper fastener and said right flap is comprised of a upper part of second popper fastener and said lumbar support portion is comprised of a left portion and a right portion wherein said left portion is comprised of a plurality of lower part of said first popper fastener and said right portion is comprised of plurality of power part of said second popper fastener.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said left flap is further comprised of a hooks portion of a first Hook-and-loop fastener and said right flap is comprised of hooks portion of a second hook-and-loop fastener and said left portion of said lumbar support portion is comprised of a loops portion of said first hook-and-loop fastener and said right portion of said lumbar support portion is comprised of a loops portion of said second hook and loop fastener.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said main body portion is further comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer wherein said inner layer is comprised of air permeable material and said outer layer is comprised of non-air-permeable material wherein said outer layer is removable to allow air to permeate through said inner layer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said air permeable material is a meshed fabric selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, micro-polyester and tricot.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said non air-permeable material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, micro-polyester and tricot.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said main body portion is comprised of a pouch wherein said pouch is further comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer wherein said inner layer is comprised of air permeable material and said outer layer is comprised of non-air-permeable material wherein said outer layer is removable to allow air to permeate through said inner layer.

10. A method to carry baby comprising a. providing a main body portion having an upper portion and a lower portion; b. having a lumbar support portion attached to said lower side of said main body portion wherein said lumbar support portion is further comprised of a lumbar strap for securing around a wearer's hip; c. having a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder attached to said upper portion of said main body portion; d. having a neck support portion attached to said upper portion of said main body portion wherein said neck supporting portion is further comprised of a protective hood; e. providing a first buckle and a second buckle attached to said upper portion of said main body portion; f. wherein said main body portion forms a bucket to carry baby when said first shoulder strap is strapped around the shoulder of said wearer to said first buckle and said second shoulder strap is strapped around the shoulder of said wearer to said second buckle and where said lumbar strap is secured to said waist of said wearer.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said first shoulder strap is comprised of a first portion of a safety harness and said second shoulder strap is comprised of a second portion of a safety harness wherein said first portion of safety harness is connected to said second portion of said safety harness to prevent said first should strap and said second shoulder strap from failing off said wearer's shoulder.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said first shoulder strap is comprised of a first rail wherein said first portion of said safety harness is comprised of a first adjustable clip wherein said first adjustable clip is comprised of a first groove wherein said first groove is engaged to said first rail and said second shoulder strap is comprised of a second rail wherein said second portion of said safety harness is comprised of a second adjustable clip wherein said second adjustable clip is comprised of a second groove wherein said second groove is engaged to second rail wherein said first and second portion of said safety harness are able to slide along the axial length of the first and second should straps.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the lower portion of said main body portion is comprised of a left flap and a right flap wherein said left flap is comprised of a upper part of a first popper fastener and said right flap is comprised of a upper part of second popper fastener and said lumbar support portion is comprised of a left portion and a right portion wherein said left portion is comprised of a plurality of lower part of said first popper fastener and said right portion is comprised of plurality of power part of said second popper fastener.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said left flap is further comprised of a hooks portion of a first Hook-and-loop fastener and said right flap is comprised of hooks portion of a second hook-and-loop fastener and said left portion of said lumbar support portion is comprised of a loops portion of said first hook-and-loop fastener and said right portion of said lumbar support portion is comprised of a loops portion of said second hook and loop fastener.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said main body portion is further comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer wherein said inner layer is comprised of air permeable material and said outer layer is comprised of non-air-permeable material wherein said outer layer is removable to allow air to permeate through said inner layer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said air permeable material is a meshed fabric selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, micro-polyester and tricot.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said non air-permeable material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, micro-polyester and tricot.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein said main body portion is comprised of a pouch wherein said pouch is further comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer wherein said inner layer is comprised of air permeable material and said outer layer is comprised of non-air-permeable material wherein said outer layer is removable to allow air to permeate through said inner layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] These and other features and advantages of the invention will not be described with reference to the drawings of certain preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of the present invention's baby carrier.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the front of an embodiment of the present invention's baby carrier with the temperature control panel and extra storage compartment shown.

[0025] FIG. 3 further illustrates the use of the head support pillow.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows the back side of an embodiment of the present invention's baby carrier.

[0027] FIG. 5 further illustrates the present invention's innovative 3-stage adjuster device.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention with its harness and its attaching clips, that are slidable and adjustable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Some embodiments are described in detail with reference to the related drawings. Additional embodiments, features, and/or advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned by practicing the invention. The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The steps described herein for performing methods form one embodiment of the invention, and, unless otherwise indicated, not all of the steps must necessarily be performed to practice the invention, nor must the steps necessarily be performed in the order listed. It should be noted that references to an or one or some embodiment(s) in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

[0030] The present invention has been conceived with the aim of addressing one or more of the commercial baby carriers' problems. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a universal baby carrier that can accommodate all babies' sizes, and provide convenience to both parent and child.

[0031] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for carrying babies at all age groups: newborn, infant, and toddler. Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the baby carrier 100 comprises a lumbar support belt 110 that wraps around the waist just above the hips, and fastened with a adjustable side-release snap buckle 111. Above and attached to the lumber-bar support belt 110 is the back support and the adjustable structured bucket seats 120. The attachment section is about the center of the belt 110 and the seat back 120. Right below the center attachment and on the belt is a large convenient storage pocket 112, which is covered by a flap of a soft-structured material and fastened to the belt by a Velcro strip. The adjustable structured bucket seat further comprises a mid section 121, shown more clearly in FIG. 2, running vertically up the seat back that is constructed with a mesh, which will be shown in more details in the subsequent descriptions and figures, and is covered by a flap which is utilized to construct a zipped pouch 122. The pouch flap 122 is detached from the back by unzipping the two left and right zippers 123. About the waist line section, there are two flaps 130 on left and right sides that are important components of the structured bucket seat, and important to the safety of the child. In the corner of the two flaps 2 popper buttons (fasteners) 131 are disposed. These two popper buttons (fasteners) 131 fasten the flaps to the lumbar support belt 110 below. 2-way extra-padded crossable shoulder straps 140 are attached to the shoulders of the seat back, and wrap over the shoulders of the adult, and go under the armpits and attach to the seat back by a pair of adjustable snap buckles 141. The shoulder straps have multiple adjustments for a perfect fit, a safety harness 150 going across the back of the adult and connecting the shoulder straps 140 to keep them from coming apart and slipping off the shoulders. The safety harness 150 attaches to the shoulder straps 140 by a left and right vertically slidable clips disposed on the shoulder straps. The innovative vertical slidable slips will be described and shown subsequently. An oval shape comfort pad 151 is attached to the harness to provide the adult back comfort. The baby carrier further comprises convenient features such as purse strap holders, convenient pockets for electronic smart devices, etc. The baby carrier 100 further comprises a pillow and head support 160 for a taller child. When it is not used, it is folded down on the outside of the bucket seat's back 120, and tied down with left and right popper buttons (fasteners).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a baby carrier 200 comprises a pillow and head support 210 whose left and right popper buttons 211 are detached, and the head support is positioned straight up. The head support 210 is utilized to construct a storage compartment, and a protective hood for wearing 212 is shown. The compartment is normally closed by a zipper. FIG. 3 further shows the head support 310 is folded down on the outside of the seat back, and attached to the seat back by the left and right popper buttons 311.

[0033] Still referring to FIG. 2, the baby carrier 200 further comprises a pouch 220 is detached from the bucket seat's back by unzipping the left and right zippers 221. When the pouch is detached, the mesh back 230 is shown. The mesh is made of soft and resilient fabric, and is a part of a temperature control panel that covers the back of the bucket seat. When the panel is pulled down, the mesh, and, thus, the child's back, is exposed to the ambient air and temperature. The mesh provides air flow to the child and the space between the carrier and the adult. This air circulation is helpfully comforting during summer heat and humidity. When the panel is zipped up, the back of the child is protected from cold air.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the back, as opposed to the front shown in FIGS. 1-3, of a baby carrier 400 is shown, as well as the back of the lumbar support belt 410. The lumbar support belt further comprises an innovative 3-state device 420, disposed in the back of the belt 410 below the bucket seat 430, for adjusting the sizes and opening sizes of the adjustable structured bucket seat 430. The adjuster 3-state device 420 narrows or widens the opening of the bucket seat to accommodate different baby sizes. The set of symmetrical left and right popper buttons A's make the narrowest bucket seat opening for newborns, and, thus, preventing the child from falling through the side gaps, and, also, hugging the child in the best posture. The set of symmetrical left and right popper buttons B's make a medium bucket seat opening for infants, and provide the same protections. The set of symmetrical left and right popper buttons C's make the widest bucket seat opening for toddlers. The back of the carrier 400 further comprises a mesh back of the bucket seat 430, and the two left and right protection flaps 431. These flaps, the popper buttons 432, and the 3-state device 420 on the lumbar support belt set the sizes and shapes of the adjustable bucket seat by the foregoing disclosed ways. The mesh back is made of soft and resilience fabric, so that when a child, at whatever age and size, sits in the bucket seat, the mesh will conform, hug, and support the child's back, pelvis, and thighs.

[0035] FIG. 5 further illustrates the innovative 3-stage adjuster device, as shown in FIG. 4. In this figure, the side flaps engage with the lumbar support belt by the popper buttons in the C position, which make the largest opening of the bucket seat for toddlers. Also disclosed here is the further deployment of the hook and loop fastener 501 to increase strength in holding up the baby when the baby is in the bucket.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the baby carrier 600 comprises a safety harness 610 holding the left and right shoulder straps, preventing them from coming apart and slipping off the shoulders. The safety harness is attached to the shoulder straps by a left and right slidable clip 620. The slidable and height adjustable clips 620 allow comfort by accommodating different size and height adults.

[0037] The present invention's lumbar support belt and two extra-padded shoulder straps are calculated and configured to evenly distribute baby's weight between the hips and shoulders.