CHILD CARRIER

Abstract

A child carrier comprises a main body attached to a waist belt and one or more shoulder bands attached to the main body for carrying a child, the child carrier having an inside for facing the user and carrying the child. The main body comprises a central portion and side portions on lateral opposite sides of the central portion. The waist belt has a height defined by a top edge and a bottom edge. The central portion is attached to the waist belt at a central attachment location. Each side portion is attached to the waist belt towards the inside thereof at a respective side attachment location located laterally adjacent and below the central attachment location, and free from the waist belt for a height of at least 3 cm from the top edge, such that each of the thus-attached side portions is movable along the top edge.

Claims

1. A child carrier comprising a main body attached to a waist belt and one or more shoulder bands attached to the main body for carrying a child seated in the main body against a torso of a user, the child carrier having an inside for facing the user and carrying the child, wherein the main body comprises a central portion and side portions on lateral opposite sides of the central portion, and wherein the waist belt has a height defined by a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge; wherein the central portion is attached to the waist belt at a central attachment location, and each side portion is attached to the waist belt towards the inside thereof at a respective side attachment location located laterally adjacent on opposite sides of and below the central attachment location, and free from the waist belt for a height of at least 3 cm below the top edge, such that each of the thus-attached side portions is movable along the top edge.

2. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the central attachment location is located along part of the top edge and/or in an upper half of the waist belt between the bottom and top edges and/or wherein the side attachment locations are located at the bottom edge and/or in a lower half of the waist belt between the bottom and top edges.

3. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an opening between the respective central and side attachment locations.

4. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the side portions comprises an extension from the main body below the central portion between the central attachment location and the side attachment location.

5. The child carrier according to claim 1, comprising a strap extending from the main body to the side attachment location attached to the main body on one side and attached to the waist belt on an opposite side.

6. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein each side portion is attached to the waist belt via a loop attached to the main portion and the waist belt.

7. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the main body and the side portions are attached to the waist belt by stitching.

8. A child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the child carrier comprises shoulder bands and a head support, arranged at least in part between the shoulder bands and on an upper side of the main body for supporting a neck and head of the child when carried in the carrier, being attached to the side portions and/or shoulder bands folded at least twice in zigzag-fashion for storage and being at least partly unfoldable for use as the head support.

9. The child carrier according to claim 8, wherein at least part of the head support is attached to the main body.

10. The child carrier according to claim 8, wherein the head support is fabric attached on an inside of the side portions.

11. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is provided with releasable connectors for releasably connecting the one or more shoulder bands to different locations of the carrier.

12. The child carrier according to claim 11, wherein the carrier comprises shoulder bands and wherein the carrier is provided with releasable connectors for releasably connecting the shoulder bands to different locations of the carrier so as to selectively adjust the shoulder bands between a straight configuration and a crossed configuration.

13. The child carrier according to claim 11, wherein the carrier is provided with releasable connectors for releasably connecting the one or more shoulder bands to different locations of the carrier so as to selectively adjust the one or more shoulder bands between a higher and a lower attachment to the carrier relative to at least part of the main body and/or the waist belt.

14. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the one or more shoulder bands and the side portions are attached to each other in lateral direction and/or are provided with mated connectors for releasably attaching the one or more shoulder bands and the side portions to each other in lateral direction.

15. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein the one or more shoulder bands and the waist belt are attached to each other and/or are provided with mated connectors for releasably attaching the one or more shoulder bands and the waist belt to each other.

16. The child carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the main body and at least one shoulder band are provided with mated transverse connectors providing a first mating direction for operably (dis-)connecting the connectors, wherein the first mating direction extends along a length direction of the side portions and transverse to the shoulder band.

17. The child carrier according to claim 16, wherein the main body and the one or more should bands are provided with mated longitudinal connectors providing a second mating direction for operably (dis-) connecting the connectors, wherein the second mating direction extends along a length direction of the one or more shoulder bands and transverse to a length direction of the side portion, wherein at least one of the longitudinal connectors is detachably connectable to the main body by the transverse connectors.

18. A child carrier comprising a main body and a waist belt and shoulder bands attached to the main body on lateral opposite sides of the main body for carrying a child seated in the main body against a torso of a user, the child carrier having an outside and an inside for facing the user and carrying the child, wherein the child carrier comprises a head support, arranged at least in part between the shoulder bands and on an upper side of the main body for supporting the neck and head of the child when carried in the carrier, being attached to the side portions and/or shoulder bands folded at least twice in zigzag-fashion for storage and being at least partly unfoldable for use as the head support.

19. The child carrier according to claim 18, wherein at least part of the head support is attached to the main body.

20. The child carrier according to claim 18, wherein the head support is fabric attached on an inside of the side portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing a number of embodiments by way of example.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a child carrier from an outside;

[0043] FIG. 2 shows the child carrier of FIG. 1 from an inside;

[0044] FIG. 3 schematically shows the child carrier in use by a user for carrying a child, in side view;

[0045] FIG. 4 schematically shows the child carrier in use by a user for carrying a child, in frontal view;

[0046] FIG. 5 shows, different from FIG. 4 that child carrier being adjusted to provide a narrower seat portion;

[0047] FIG. 6 shows, different from FIG. 3, a head support unfolded from the main body of the carrier to support at least partially the child’s head;

[0048] FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of the child carrier 1 in use;

[0049] FIGS. 7B-7D schematically shows the child carrier in use by a user for carrying a child, in side view, in different configurations;

[0050] FIGS. 8-10 show further embodiments of a child carrier;

[0051] FIG. 11 schematically shows the child carrier in use by a user for carrying a child, in side view, together with a partial further child carrier of the same construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0052] It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms “upward”, “downward”, “below”, “above”, and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified.

[0053] Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral, where helpful individualised with alphabetic suffixes.

[0054] Further, unless otherwise specified, terms like “detachable” and “removably connected” are intended to mean that respective parts may be disconnected essentially without damage or destruction of either part, e.g. excluding structures in which the parts are integral (e.g. welded or molded as one piece), but including structures in which parts are attached by or as mated connectors, fasteners, releasable self-fastening features, etc. The verb “to facilitate” is intended to mean “to make easier and/or less complicated”, rather than “to enable”.

[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a child carrier 1 from an outside (FIG. 1) and an inside (FIG. 2) respectively. FIGS. 3-6 show schematically an embodiment of the child carrier 1 in use.

[0056] The carrier 1 comprises a main body 3 attached to a waist belt 5 and shoulder bands 7, 9 attached to the main body 3 for carrying a child 11 seated in the main body 3 against a torso of a user 13. FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of the child carrier 1 in use, wherein the main body is adjusted to provide a bucket seat in which the child can assume a frog-posture (see also below). FIGS. 7B-7D show different use options of the carrier 1 for carrying a child 11.

[0057] The main body 3 comprises a central portion 15 and side portions 17, 19 on lateral opposite sides of the main body 3, bordering the central portion 15.

[0058] The shoulder bands 7, 9 may be worn over the shoulders straight (cf. FIGS. 1, 2) or crossed (e.g. cf. FIGS. 3-6).

[0059] Releasable connectors 8A, 8B, 8C, 10A, 10B are optionally provided. The connectors 8A and 10A, respectively are provided on the shoulder bands 7, 9. The connectors 8B are provided on the waist belt 5, here optionally on the top edge T thereof. Further the connectors 8C are provided on a lateral side of the side portions 17, 19 of the main body 3. The connectors 10B are provided on a top side of the main body 3, in particular on the side portions 17, 19, thereof. One or more connectors 8A, 8B, 8C, 10A, 10B and/or sets thereof may be at least partly covered by a piece of fabric 12 (possibly padded) e.g. for security and/or aesthetics; such optional piece of fabric 12 may be releasably attached to at least part of the carrier, e.g. using one or more fasteners of a suitable type such as hook-and-loop type fastener, button, zipper, etc.

[0060] The connectors 8A, 8B, 8C, 10A, 10B may be used for selectively adjusting the shoulder bands 7, 9 between straight configuration (e.g. FIGS. 1 and 2) and crossed configurations (e.g. FIGS. 3 and 6). Releasable connectors 8A, 8B, 8C, 10A, 10B may be used also for selectively adjusting the shoulder bands 7, 9 between lower attachment to the carrier 1, here to the waist belt 5 for providing a bucket seat (FIGS. 3, 6, 7B), or higher attachment to the carrier 1, here to the main body 3 e.g. for providing a straighter seat (FIG. 7C - compare with FIG. 7B).

[0061] Also or alternatively, the carrier 1 may be used for carrying a child 11 on the back of a user; see FIG. 7D, again with straight shoulder bands (e.g. FIGS. 1 and 2) or crossing shoulder bands (FIG. 7D).

[0062] The connectors 8A, 8B, 8C, 10A, 10B may be formed as a matching set, e.g. connectors 8A and 10A provided on the shoulder bands 7, 9 being identical and connectors 8B, 8C, 10B provided on the main body being identical, and connectors 8A and 10A being mated to connectors 8B, 8C, 10B so that one or both shoulder bands 7, 9, may be attached to plural positions on the main body 3 and/or waist belt 5. E.g., (opposite ends of) one shoulder band may be connected to both connectors 10A and 10B for facilitating (potentially asymmetric) shoulder wearing. For simplifying connecting pairs of connectors to each other, each of the connectors may be a connector for longitudinal connection, i.e. connection along the line of intended maximum loading of the connector in use such as in longitudinal direction of the respective shoulder band; e.g. belt buckles, snap buckles, clasps and/or double-ring connectors may suitably be employed.

[0063] The waist belt 5 has a direction of elongation between matching fasteners 21, 23 on respective lateral ends and has height defined by a top edge T and a bottom edge B opposite the top edge T so that a middle line M is defined between. The middle line M may be imaginary but a middle line M may also be indicated by at least part of a stitching pattern in the waist belt 5. The waist belt 5 may be at least partly padded.

[0064] Best seen in FIG. 2, is that the central portion 15 of the main body 3 is attached to the waist belt 5 at a central attachment location 25, here defined by a length of stitching. The stitching may span a main width W15 of the central portion 15 for less than 75% of the width of the central portion 15 between the side portions 17, 19, in particular less than 66% such as less than 50% e.g. about 25% or less than the width between the side portions 17, 19, of the central portion 15 between the side portions 17, 19. The width may in particular be in a range of 7 cm - 12 cm, e.g. in range of 8-10 cm, e.g. 9 cm, and/or wherein the width may be corresponding with a size of a label, e.g. a label bearing information regarding use and/or warnings. The central attachment location 25 is located in an upper half of the waist belt 5 between the bottom and top edges B, T, i.e. between the middle line M and the top edge T.

[0065] Each side portion 17, 19 is attached to the waist belt 5 at a respective side attachment location 27, 29 located laterally adjacent the central attachment location 25. The side attachment locations 27, 29 are located laterally adjacent and below the central attachment location 25. The side attachment locations 27, 29 are formed such that the side portions 17, 19 are free from (the top edge T of) the waist belt 5 for a height of at least 3 cm, such that each of the thus-attached side portions 17, 19 is free from the top edge and movable along the top edge T.

[0066] Thus, the width of the main body 3 at and near the top edge T is adjustable by moving the side portions 17, 19 toward each other; this is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with dashed lines and is also visualised in FIG. 4 (wide) and 5 (narrow).

[0067] Here, the side attachment locations 27, 29 are located at the bottom edge B of the waist belt 5, the waist belt 5 being higher than 3 cm between the top and bottom edges at least in a main portion where the main body 3 is attached to the waist belt 5; there the waist belt may be higher than 5 cm, e.g. larger than 6 cm such as larger than 7,5 cm, preferably 8 cm, 9 cm or 10 cm or any other value in a range 5-15 cm. A larger distance may be provided but 3 cm from the top edge is considered sufficient to achieve the desired adjustability of the carrier between configurations for an average newborn to an average toddler, but larger values allow greater versatility. Similarly, the side attachment locations may be attached at least 1 cm, preferably at least 3 cm below the central attachment location, e.g. more than 6 cm such as more than 7,5 cm, preferably 8 cm, 9 cm or 10 cm or any other value in a range 5-15 cm below the central attachment location. A larger value allowing larger versatility. A lateral overlap of the central attachment location 25 and side attachment locations 27, 29 is not desired; a lateral separation between the two is preferred for increasing adjustability of the side portions with respect to and/or along the top edge T. A vertical and/or lateral offset of the central and side attachment locations may define a path of adjustment of the side portions about the side attachment location relative to the central attachment location in which folds and/or tension in the fabric of (the central portion of) the main body may be substantially prevented; e.g. a generally circular path about the side attachment location as indicated by dotted lines P in FIG. 2.

[0068] It should be noted that the attachment of central portion 15 and/or the side portions 17, 19 to the waist belt 5 may be via techniques other than stitching such as one or more of welding, gluing, or other nondetachable attachment with or without stitching. Also, or alternatively, part of the central portion 15 and/or a side portion 17, 19 may be integral (e.g. formed at least in part from a single piece of material) with at least part of the waist belt 5 at the respective attachment location(s). The afore-mentioned provide a “permanent” attachment between the central portion 15 and/or side portions 17,19 with the waist belt 5 as opposed to a “removably connected” or “detachable” attachment as described above. Such a permanent attachment can be used in view of the other adjustments provided in the carrier. It is believed a permanent attachment of the central portion 15 and/or side portions 17, 19 to the waist belt simplifies use and in particular is advantageous given manufacture simplicity and, more in particular, the weight bearing locations of the attachments, and that connectable attachments such as hook-and-loop-type fabric fasteners (e.g. Velcro®), buttons and the like may not be as secure and/or are susceptible to user error.

[0069] Best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7A is that the child 11 may be supported facing the user 13, with the legs 39 of the child 11 bent upward in frog-posture. For simplicity this is not shown in FIGS. 4-5. By adjustment of the width of the main body 3, the main body 3 may be adjusted to support the child 11 ergonomically without obstructing blood flow in the child’s legs 39 and/or for adjusting the child’s posture to conform to the user’s physique. The adjustment may comprise adjusting tension in the side portions 17, 19 relative to the central portion of the main portion thus improving shaping of a relatively deep bucket seat (FIGS. 3 and 7) or rather providing a flatter seat (FIG. 6).

[0070] In FIG. 1 and from a comparison of FIG. 3 and FIGS. 6 and 7 it may be seen that the child carrier 1 can optionally comprise a head support 41, arranged between the shoulder bands 7, 9, and on an upper side of the main body 5. The head support 41 comprises a piece of fabric extending from the central portion 15 and being attached to the shoulder bands 7, 9. Fixated by the attachment, the fabric is folded at least twice, in zigzag-fashion (or: harmonica-fashion), toward an inside of the carrier 1 for storage (FIGS. 1 and 3) while being unfoldable for use as the head support 41 (FIGS. 6, 7). Unfolding the fabric while that is attached as shown facilitates forming the fabric into a 3-dimensional cup-shape for fitting about the neck of the child 11 to support the head; one or more strings and/or straps may be provided for (further) shaping the head support 41, but by providing the folds such strings and/or straps may also be obviated.

[0071] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. E.g. the disclosure is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims.

[0072] For instance, in FIGS. 8-10, further embodiments of child carriers are shown. E.g. compared to FIGS. 1-2, the optional connectors 10A, 10B are omitted and the shoulder bands are attached to the main body 3 directly. Also, compared to FIGS. 1-2, the attachment of the side portions 17, 19 to the waist band 5 differs:

[0073] In FIG. 8 the side portions 17, 19 each are attached to the waist belt 5 with straps 31, 33 and via an optional loop 35, 37, here formed as a D-ring; the straps 31, 33 may form loops about the D-rings facilitating rotation about the D-ring in hinging manner with respect to the attachment of the D-ring to the waist belt 5 (see the path P). Thus, localised tension on stitches for fastening the D-ring may prevented or reduced compared to a continuous strap 31, 33 and/or extension directly attached to the waist belt 5 as in FIGS. 1-2.

[0074] In FIG. 9 the side portions 17, 19 each comprise an extension 17E, 19E from the main body 3 below the central portion 15 between the central attachment location 25 and the side attachment location 27, 29. Each of the extensions 17E, 19E is attached to a strap 31, 33 extending from (the side portion 17, 19 of) the main body 5 to the side attachment location 27, 29. The straps 31, 33 are attached to the main body 5 on one side, here: to the side portions 17, 19 of the main body. In between the extensions 17E, 19E fabric of the main body is removed providing a cutout or opening 45 (or in other words: the extensions here are formed by the opening).

[0075] In FIG. 10 the main body 3 is attached to the waist belt 5 with a trapezoidal stitching pattern 47–49–47 defining a central attachment location 25 along part of a top portion (49) thereof. The side portions 17, 19 each are attached additionally to the waist belt 5 near the bottom edge B of the waist belt 5 with additional stitching patterns providing side attachment locations 27, 29. The side portions 17, 19 and part of the central portion 5 are free from the top edge T of the waist belt 5. The side attachment locations 27, 29 are arranged below central attachment location 25 and the top edge T such that the side portions 17, 19 are freely movable with respect to the top edge T and the central attachment location 25 over a path P extending about the attachment locations with a radius of more than 3 cm.

[0076] As an option, a portion of fabric of the main body 3 underneath the trapezoidal stitching pattern 47–49–47 may be removed, providing a cutout or opening 51. In such case the stitching pattern 47–49–47 may also serve for finishing and/or hemming the fabric around the cutout 51. In other embodiments, instead of the shown trapezoidal stitching pattern a comparable stitching pattern may be provided that is, at least in part, more polygonal and/or smoothly curved like elliptic and/or circular between the side attachment location. The central attachment location may be polygonal and/or smoothly curved as well.

[0077] Further, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2, the main body 3 may be provided with mated transverse connectors 38C/38D providing a mating direction for operably (dis-)connecting the connectors 8C extending along a length direction of the side portions 17, 19, for decoupling the connector 8C from the main body 3. E.g. a slide connector 38C/38D may be used. The decoupled connector 8C may be stored for later use, reducing bulk of the carrier 1. Also or alternatively and preferred, the carrier 1 may comprise one or more further connectors 58C mated to the disconnected connector 8C for releasably reattaching that disconnected connector 8C elsewhere on the carrier 1, e.g. here on the shoulder bands 7, 9. In particular, one or more of the connectors 8C may be mated to a connector 8A and/or a connector 10B (in general, connectors 8A and 10B may be the same and connectors 10A, 8B and 8C may be the same) so that shoulder band connectors 8A and/or 10B may be connected to the relocated connector 8C. This may allow attaching a second main body 3 (with attached waist belt 5) to the same set of shoulder bands and allow carrying two children together in separate carriers as shown in FIG. 11; note that in FIG. 11 an optional strap 59 is provided between the connectors 38C and 8C.